Overview of Ancient Rome

These flashcards cover key aspects of ancient Roman history, including the Regal Period, the Roman Republic, significant figures, events, and cultural elements.

What was the time period of the Regal Period in Rome?

753 BCE - 509 BCE.

What significant transition occurred in 509 BCE?

The establishment of the Roman Republic.

What period follows the Roman Republic?

The Roman Empire, which lasted from 31 BCE to 476 CE.

Who were the Etruscans?

Ancient people from Etruria, who influenced Roman culture significantly.

What notable artifacts did the Romans borrow from the Etruscans?

The toga praetexta, sella curulis, and fasces.

What does 'Rex' mean in Latin?

King.

What occurred during the overthrow of Tarquinius Superbus?

It marked the end of the Regal Period and the establishment of the Republic.

Who is traditionally credited with establishing the Roman Senate?

Romulus, the first king of Rome.

What was Livy's purpose in writing 'Ab Urbe Condita'?

To teach moral lessons about Roman identity and decline.

What is the significance of 'Mos Maiorum' in Roman culture?

The customs and traditions of ancestors, influencing behavior and values.

What does 'Aetiology' refer to in Roman literature?

The study of origins, explaining customs and rituals.

What major civil strife is represented by the story of Romulus and Remus?

Fratricide, highlighting a recurring theme in Roman history.

What role did the patricians play in early Roman governance?

They were the aristocratic class that advised the king and held Senate positions.

What was the distinction between patricians and plebeians?

It was based on blood status rather than wealth.

What was the significance of the Twelve Tables?

They established the principle of equality under the law in Roman society.

What did the Lex Hortensia achieve for plebiscites?

It made plebiscites binding on all Roman citizens.

What is the 'pomerium'?

The sacred boundary of the city of Rome established by Romulus.

Who was Cincinnatus and why is he significant?

He was a citizen-soldier and exemplary leader who showed civic virtue by relinquishing power.

What was the Comitia Centuriata?

An assembly of Roman citizens organized by wealth and military service.

What were the main responsibilities of the Roman Senate during the Republic?

Advising elected officials and managing state affairs.

How did the role of tribunes of the plebs reform Roman government?

They represented plebeians, had veto power, and protected their interests.

What is 'nexum' and its social implication in Rome?

A form of debt bondage affecting plebeians, leading to social unrest.

What were the implications of the Gracchi brothers' reforms in Rome?

Land redistribution efforts aimed to address economic disparities faced by plebeians.

What was the key consequence of the Civil War of 88 BCE?

It exposed political corruption and the fragility of the Republican government.

What does 'Imperium' refer to in the context of Roman authority?

The power to command in both military and civil spheres.

What does 'gloria' represent in Roman culture?

The renown gained through military victories.

What symbolized the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire?

The title 'Augustus' granted to Octavian in 27 BCE.

What significant political formation occurred after Julius Caesar's assassination?

The Second Triumvirate, an alliance between Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus.

Who was Scipio Africanus and what is he known for?

A Roman general known for defeating Hannibal in the Second Punic War.

What was the significance of the sack of Corinth in 146 BCE?

Marked the end of the Third Punic War and solidified Rome's dominance in the Mediterranean.