Ancient Rome Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards covering the governance, social structure, law, and key historical figures of Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire.

Roman Republic

A representative democracy where citizens elected officials to represent them and power was shared to prevent one person from having total control.

Consuls

Two elected leaders who led the army, enforced laws, and served terms of $1$ year.

Senate

A political body made up mostly of Patricians that proposed and debated laws, advised consuls, and controlled finances.

Tribunes

Officials responsible for protecting the rights of Plebeians who held the power to veto laws.

Patricians

The elite, wealthy class of Roman citizens who held most of the political power.

Plebeians

The common people of Rome, including farmers, artisans, and merchants, who were not the wealthiest class.

Slaves

A group with no rights, consisting of prisoners of war or individuals born into slavery.

Twelve Tables

Rome's first written laws, established in $451\,B.C.$, which were public and applied to all citizens.

Jus civile

A specific branch of Roman law designated for Roman citizens.

Jus gentium

A branch of Roman law that applied to both Romans and foreigners.

Julius Caesar

A leader who declared himself dictator for life and was assassinated on the Ides of March in $44\,B.C.$, leading to the end of the Republic.

Augustus

The first emperor of Rome, who took power in $27\,B.C.$ and marked the transition from Republic to Empire.

Pax Romana

A period meaning "Roman Peace" characterized by stability, prosperity, road expansion, and growth in trade.

Constantine

The emperor who issued the Edict of Milan in $313\,A.D.$ to legalize and spread Christianity throughout the empire.

Edict of Milan

The law issued in $313\,A.D.$ that legalized Christianity within the Roman Empire.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

A key event occurring in $476\,A.D.$ caused by barbarian invasions, economic problems, and weak leadership.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire that lasted nearly $1,000$ years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Justinian

A Byzantine emperor famous for reforming Roman law into the Justinian Code and building the Hagia Sophia.

Romulus and Remus

The legendary founders of Rome who were raised by a wolf; Romulus became the city's first king.

$$509\,B.C.$$

The year the Roman Republic was established.