Prentice Hall Medieval and Early Modern Times Chapter 1: The Roman Empire

Primary Sources

a record that was created at or near the time of an event.

Secondary Source

an account written some time after an event has occurred.

Material Culture

consists of the buildings, tools, and other objects that shape how people live.

Artifacts

are things made by human hands.

Republic

a government in which citizens have the right to vote and elect officials.

Julius Caeser

a popular roman military hero who gained fame for conquering Gaul. The senate named him dictator for life. He was later assisinated by a group of senators

Assassinate

to murder a well known or important person.

Augustus

Adopted son of Caesar, ruler of Rome after Caeser for 40 years.

Pax Romana

a period of peace and prosperity in Rome.

Diocletian

Emperor of Rome, was responsible for dividing Rome to make ruling a big empire easier. In the long run this actually weakened the empire.

Citizenship

membership in a political community that brings both rights and responsibilities.

Corruption

involves the use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

Attila

a cruel warrior who became the leader of the Huns.

Autonomous

self-governing

Clovis

King of Franks who defeated the last Roman army in Gaul.

Public Works

are structures built by a government for public use.

Multicultural

consisting of many different cultures and religions.

Romance Languages

languages based on Latin

Constantine

Emperor who allowed Christians to worship freely.