Roman Republic Flashcards

Animism

EVERYTHING has a soul

Larariums

A shrine that was in your house, the religious room

Gravitas

A Roman virtue. A sense if the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness

Dignitas

A Roman virtue. Dignity, honor, and self-worth. Required eligible nobles to serve as a judge or an army officer.

Social Mobility in Rome

None. If you are born a patrician, you WILL die a patrician. If you were a plebeian you WILL die a plebeian

Patron

Wealthy citizens who sought out by others for help. Their client will support the patron when needed

Goals for Roman Republic

1. Gov’t in which EVERYONE has a say

2. Division of power so no group/individual help too much power

Poor class disadvantage:

They have no say in governmnet

4 Steps to Plebeian Equality (Conflict of Orders)

1. Creation of tribune position

2. Creation of 12 tables

3. Position of consul opened to both patricians and plebeians

4. Tribal assembly gains authority to pass laws without consent of the senate

Plebeians demand…

Once they gain political rights, then they will fight in the military

Creation of Tribune Position

Plebeians went on strike and threatened to stop serving in the military.

Etruscan

The people who ruled Rome prior to the Roman Republic

Roman Legion

Growth and expansion of the Roman empire is going to be on the back of the Roman Legion

Conquered people gave these to the Romans

1. Money

2. Troops

Battle of the Alia Rvier

Romans lose to Gauls and are driven out

Claudine Forks

Roman legion is trapped in a box canon by Samnites. Instead of killing, they force the Romans to go under the yoke as a sign of submission. They go back after and defeat the Samnites

Yoke

Big wooden thing used to control oxen to plow fields

Pyrros of Epirus

Initially, he defeats Romans in at least 3 major battles. However, his losses in the 3 battle are so great that eventually he will have to flee and give the land over to the Romans

Pyrrhic Victory

When you win the battle, but you lose so much in the process, that you lose the war

Result of Early Roman Expansion

1) Conquered people paid taxes, supplied soldiers and followed Roman leadership

2) Conquered people kept customs, money, and local gov’t

3) Few groups were offered full citizenship, and the rest, only partial

4) Romans posted a network of soldiers throughout the land

Why were Punic wars fought?

Economics (control of trade routes and money)

Hamilcar Barcas

Father of Hannibal, absolutely hated the Romans, but was the best Carthage general

What did Hannibal receive from home when fighting in Italy?

Hannibal received NO reinforcements or supplies from home during the 15 years of fighting in Italy

Trebbia River

Roman army wakes up with no fire, breakfast, and cold, and marches across the river to fight the Carthaginians. The Carthaginians are prepared and well nourished and obliterates the Roman army. (Hannibal Wins)

Lake Tresimenus

Carthaginians trick the Romans with fire, and sneak throughout the mountains and surprise attack the Romans. (Hannibal wins)

Cannae

Hannibal weakens him middle, and the Romans attack the middle. Hannibal organizes a horseshoe retreat, surrounding the Romans.

Paulus

Roman general that does not want to fight the Carthaginians, and end up dying in battle

Varro

Roman general that wants to fight the Carthaginians, but ran away when the heavy fighting started

Carthaginian reaction to Cannae

Generals encourage Hannibal to lay siege to Rome, but Hannibal doesn’t, which is probably his biggest mistake

Battle of Zama

Scipio defeats Hannibal because the Romans have adapted to Hannibal’s war tactic.

Terms of Peace Treaty to End Punic War #2

1. Carthage loses Spain

2. Destruction of Carthaginian fleet

3. Carthage pays huge indemnity for 50 years

Cato

Ends all speeches with “Carthage must be destroyed”

Latins

Roman ancestors, Indo-European tribes related to Dorians that settle in Po River Valley

Greek Culture Introduced…

1. Alphabet

2. Greek Religion/Gods

3. Olives and wine

Beginnings of Rome

Mythological story of Romulus and Remus. Rome started on 7 hills. Perfect example of ““

Forum

Central marketplace in the beginnings of Rome

Paterfamilias

Fathers who had complete control over their family

Roman Families

Farming families were the basis of Roman society, fathers educated their sons (taught them a trade)

Roman (Republic) Religion

Animism, borrowed Greek Gods/Oracles

Why Did People Leave Roman Religion?

Eastern mythical cults offered immortality

Jupiter (Zeus)

God of the sky

Mars (Ares)

Spirit of harvest and warfare

Roman General Culture

Belief in virtues, called virtus/”manliness”. Extreme obedience to the laws

Borrowed Ideas From Various Cultures Such As…

Greek poetry/philosophy, Egyptian calendar, Persian Religion/Cult of Mithra

Farm Slaves in Rome

Soldiers captured became cheap slaves in Rome. As a result, slave labor is used on farms and plantations

Decline of Morality

Latifundia

A large plantation owned by wealthy citizens and run by slaves. The large farms that put small farms out of business

Increase efficient population by increasing the efficient population. (People who can fight in the army and pay taxes)

2 Key Results of the Gracchi brothers

1. The first to undermine the Roman Republic (by violating election laws by both running for reelection)

2. Led to the creation of the Dole, or distribution of free grain. The biginning of the “bread” in “bread ad circus”

Marius Key Results

1. Makes Roman army professional

2. Armies become more loyal to generals than the state

3. Becomes consul 7 times

3 Ways Sulla Undermines the Roman Republic

1. First to use his army for political purposes and marches them into Rome

2. Names himself dictator for 3 years

3. Reinstate the power of the Senate, weakening the power of

Roman Clan Names Ended In…

“ius”

Centurion

The officer in charge of a century

Camillus

Roman general who captured the Etruscan stronghold of Veii and bribed the Gauls to leave Rome

Magna Graecia

Another name for Southern Italy during the time of Pyrrhos

“Punic” Comes From…

The Latin word Phoenician (who were the original settlers of Carthage)

The Cause of the Punic Wars Was…

A struggle over Sicily/trade control over the Mediterranean Sea

Terms of Peace Treaty to End Punic War #1

1. Carthage gives Sicily to Rome

2. Carthage has to pay a big fine, leading them to hire more soldiers

3. Rome seizes Sardinia and Corsica leading to war #2

2nd Punic War Causes

1. Carthage’s revenge

2. Rome concerned about Carthage’s expansion into Spain

Quintus Fabius Maximus

Roman military leader. Strategy was to follow Hannibal but not engage in direct combat. (Hannibal cannot break Roman spirit)

Results of the Punic Wars

1. Romans control from Spain to Egypt (+Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica) referred to Mediterranean Sea as “our sea”

2. Macedonia, Greece and Asia Minor are Roman provinces

3. Warfare changes. Men didn’t come home, and women couldn’t pay taxes, so they moved to the city. Cities can’t handle increase in populations, apartments (slums) are formed, along with bread and circuses

Macedonian Wars Summed Up

Rome defeats antigonids and gains control of Greece

First Macedonian War

Cause: Philip V allied with Hannibal

Result: Roman navy prevents Philip V from crossing into Italy

Second Macedonian War

Cause: Revenge against Philip

Result: At battle of Cynoscephalae, Romans win and declare Greeks to be free

Third Macedonian War

Cause: Perseus (son of Philip V) allied with Seleucids and attempted to defeat Romans

Result: Perseus is defeated, Romans end direct tax on citizens

Fourth Macedonian War

Cause: Greeks refuse to end aggression towards Romans

Result: Rome controls Greece

Antiokhos III

Defeated by Romans at battle of Magnesia

Antiokhos IV

Son of Antiokhos III, tries to capture Egypt

Pergamon

Pergamon is surrendered to Rome by Attlos II because he didn’t want his brother to take control

Problems That Led to Collapse of Roman Republic (III)

Rise of Unemployment. Thriving slave markets displaces small farmers, free workers, and domestic servants. The unemployed persons drifted to Rome, becoming an economic and political liability because they were Roman citizens and were promise care which included basic human needs

Optimates

Conservatives, made of the Senate, represent patricians

Populares

Liberals, represent the poor

What Are the Gracchi Brothers Most Known For?

Proposing laws to limit how much land one could own, and colinzed other areas to give farms to the landless, winning support of the people but not of the patricians

Gracchi Brothers Proposed Land Reforms to…

1. Limit size of estates

2. Redistribute land to the poor

Tiberius Gracchus

Promised citizenship to Italian allies and violating election reforms

Gaius Gracchus

Placed Tiberius’ Reforms into affect, but took it too far and tried to grant citizenship to Italians

Reforms of Julius Caesar

1. Granted citizenship to provinces

2. Adopted Julian calendar

3. Decreased unemployment

4. Stimulated trade and commerce

5. Began to rid of the dole

Assassination of Caesar

Assassinated by the Senate who feared losing their power permanently, and because Caesar wanted to be made king

First Triumvirate

Pompey (Spain), Crassus (Syria), Caesar (Gaul). Caesar is there to balance he power of Pompey and Crassus. THIS WAS ILLEGAL

Why is Caesar Loved by the Populares?

He spent money on Gladiatorial games, and holds every position in government that you could, and gets elected to pontifex maximus

“Crossing the Rubicon” Means…

Making a decision you can’t go back on

How is the 2nd Triumvirate Different From the 1st?

It is legal because they are changing the rules.

Octavian

1. He names Julius Caesar as a God

2. Took title of Princeps and Imperator. He does not call himself dictator or king and goes with emperor because he wanted to establish he is a “Permanent leader of the citizens”

3. Undermines the Roman Republic because he takes all political power

Roman Slaves Were…

All races and genders

Patricians

Roman nobility, owned land, political/social/economic dominance

Plebeians

Main body of Roman citizens. Can’t marry patricians and cant ever become one, but they can get wealthy and hold government positions