Unit 2 - Ancient Rome

Plebeians

the common people making up 95% of the population in the Roman Republic

Patricians

members of the upper, ruling class in the Roman Republic

Republic

a form of government in which leaders are elected to represent the people

Tripartite Government

a type of government that has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by lawmakers

Consul

the highest elected political office in the Roman Republic

12 Tables

an early system of rules, laws, and punishments in ancient Rome

Julius Caesar

Made dictator for life in 45 BCE, after conquering Gaul, assassinated in 44 BCE by the Senate because they were afraid of his power

Augustus

First emperor of Rome. He restored order and prosperity to the Empire after nearly a century of unrest.

Empire

a large territory in which several groups of people are ruled by a single leader or government

Pax Romana

a 200-year period of peace and stability established by Augustus and maintained by the Roman Empire

Christianity

the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus that began in the Roman Empire

Constantine

Roman Emperor from about 280 CE to 337 CE; was the first emperor to become a Christian

Byzantine Empire

also called the Eastern Roman Empire; located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe (Asia Minor)