Roman Empire

blood, burning, and stuff

Romulus and Remus

twin brothers who founded Rome in 753 BC

Monarchy

the earliest period of Roman history when the city and its territory were ruled by kings.

Romulus and Remus

Etruscans

Tarquinius Superbus

Republic

second form of government in Rome, which consisted of three branches: the consuls, the senate, and the assemblies.

Gracchus Brothers

Sulla

Julius Caesar

Roman Empire

founded in 31 BC by Augustus Caesar and proclaimed himself first emperor.

Octavian/Caesar Augustus

Tiberius

Caligula

Claudius

Nero

Tarquinius Superbus

final king of Rome before it became a republic.

Patricians

The wealthy landholders and noble families made up the aristocratic class

Plebians

made up the majority of the people who were so-called the inferior class

Consul

highest elected political office in the Roman Republic

Conflict of Orders

Occurred in 494 BC when Plebians went on strike in order to be granted representation in government. They were granted an assembly called the council of the Plebs.

Law Of The Twelve Tables

written in 450 BC to appease the demands of the commoners as the many wars during this class favored the ruling class.

Council of the Plebes

A system where power lay in a number of magistrates and assemblies 

Roma

After the city of Troy fell, this person led the women to burn the ships

Etruscans

built Rome into what it is today

renowned for metal working, pottery skills, expert sculpting, etc.

built the first forum

Capitoline Triad of the gods

where Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus were worshiped

Mars

god of war; supposed father of Romulous and Remus

Jupiter

the supreme god

Quirinus

believed to be a deified Romulus who watched over Rome

Gracchus Brothers

proposed reforms to try to help the poor

Suggested to give land to both the senate and assembly and unemployed and small farmers

Proposed to give citizenship to all Roman allies and this idea was met with much resistance

Sulla

Defeated monarchs around Rome and purged Roman Senate

Curtailed the power of the tribunes- who had veto powers

Sold tax immunity to certain cities

Still called a tyrant despite his many reforms

The Collapse of the Republic

The social wars weakened Roman society 

Much fear and unrest among the people

This led to the First Triumvirate 

Octavian took power promising that he could help the society stabilize 

First Triumvirate

Controlled consulships and military commands

Went on individual conquests

* Caesar-Gaul and Germania
* Pompey-became governor of Spain
* Crassus- eastward but was defeated and killed at Battle of Carrhae

Julius Caesar

declared dictator for life after death of Pompey

Secured eastern provinces and North Africa

Seen as a threat to the foundation of the Roman republic

Deified by Octavian

Mark Antony

Ally of Octavian, friend/cousin to Julius Caesar

Part of Second Triumvirate (43 BC)

Was supposed to marry Octavian’s sister, Ovtavia Minor, but fell in love with Cleopatra VII

Octavian/Caesar Augustus

First emperor of rome

Allied himself with Mark Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus to create the Second Triumvirate

Turned attention to the punishment of Caesar’s assassins 

Fought Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi and won

Fought Sextus Pompeius for rule of rome and was victorious 

Resigned his power only to receive them from the Senate

Called himself Princeps or First citizen

His reign is called the __Pax Romana__ in which Rome flourished

Died in 14 AD and was proclaimed a god

Tiberious

Reluctantly ascended to throne during the Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Avoided pageantry of throne

Allowed Senate to conduct primary business of empire

Started but didn’t complete many public work projects in city

Became increasingly paranoid in his later years, conducting many treason trials.

Caligula

Quickly became popular among the people

* Ended treason trials
* Recalled exiles
* Gave bonuses to the Praetorian Guard
* Completed building projects and rebuild temples and aqueducts

Notorious for his depravity and insanity

After a near-death experience he became paranoid 

* Raised taxes
* Instituted purges against suspected enemies (including his ex wife)
* Brought back the treason trials 
* Condemned people to confiscate their property
* Became very invested in making people suffer

He, his wife, and his daughter were murdered after 4 years

Claudius

Found hiding after Caligula and family were murdered, but was still named emperor

Proved to be efficient emperor

First act was to execute assassins of Caligula

Brought relative peace to Rome with restoration of rule of law

Brought land to reform for farmers, built new harbor at Ostia, established imperial civil service, and when food riots broke out during drought, he imported corn to citizenry

He was paranoid, quick to anger, and didn’t hesitate to put supposed enemies to death

* After a revolt, Upper Illyricum, he had 35 senators and 400 others executed or forced to commit suicide

Was anti-semitic and had entire Jewish population expelled from city

His wife Aggripina insisted her son Nero take throne

He died of poisoning, possibly at the hands of his wife.

Nero

Ruled 14 years and led one of the most sinister times in history

General public saw him as generous, kind, and accessible

Early part of his reign was considered to be a mini-golden age

* Initiated entertainment: games, plays, concerts, etc. 
* Taxes were reduced

Agrippina was his mother, but when she claimed to be the source of his power, he kicked her out of the palace