Ancient Rome

Keywords

Republic

Where the wealthy elite ruled the city throughout the senate.

Citizens

People who had rights under Roman law.

Forum

A large town square that was the centre of business, political activity and religious worship.

Ampitheatre

Where gladiatorial games were held

Patricians

Wealthy, noble families who ruled Rome.

Plebians

The poor that made up the majority of the population.

Domus

A patrician house in town

Dole

A payment of free grain.

Insulae

The apartment blocks plebians lived in

Manumission

Freeing of a slave by their master after many years of service.

Gladiators

Slaves who fought in amphitheatres for entertainment of the crowd.

Legionnaries

Individual Roman foot soldiers that together made up a legion.

Tepidarium

 The medium-hot room at the baths.

Caldarium

The very hot room at the baths

Frigidarium

The cold water pool at the baths.

Strigil

 A wooden instrument used to scrape oil and dirt off the skin.

Palaestra

The exercise yard at the baths.

Mosaics

Pictures made from small pieces of stone, glass or tile.

Oratory 

The art of public speaking.

Conferratio

Roman wedding ceremony.

Toga

A long white robe worn by patricians, draped over the shoulder and down to the feet.

Stola

A long dress worn by patrician women.