World History Chapter 4- Rome

League of Seven Hills

Beginning city of Rome, formed by 7 Latin villages during the 8th century BC.

Romulus

One of the founding brothers of Rome who killed his brother and named Rome after him.

Remus

One of the founding brothers of Rome, killed by his brother Romulus.

Patricians

The aristocrat class in ancient Rome made up of wealthy landowners and noble families.

Plebeians

The common class in ancient Rome, consisting of farmers, traders, and craftsmen.

Republic

Form of government in which voting citizens exercise power through elected officials under law.

Senate

The most important and powerful body of the Roman Republic.

Assembly of Centuries

The chief assembly of the early Roman Republic.

Tribune

Ten men elected by the Council of Plebeians to protect the rights and interests of the common people.

Roman Forum

The section of ancient Rome that was the center of government.

Law of Twelve Tables

Foundation of Roman civil law.

Tribal Assembly

Another name for the Plebeian assembly in Rome.

Punic Wars

Three wars between Carthage and Rome.

Hannibal

Young Carthaginian Commander, reminiscent of Alexander the Great.

Scipio

Roman Commander who defeated Carthaginian forces in Spain and attacked Carthage in North Africa.

Julius Caesar

The first Roman emperor who built a well-disciplined and loyal army.

31 BC

Year when Octavian's Army sought a decisive victory over Antony at the Battle of Actium.

Princeps

Title meaning 'first citizen,' taken by Octavian.

Imperator

Ancient title given to the commander of a victorious army; head of the Roman Empire.

Augustus

Title of divinity expressing honor and majesty usually associated with Roman gods.

Pax Romana

'Roman Peace'; period from 31 BC to AD 180.

Jesus of Nazareth

Born in Judea during Caesar Augustus's reign; his life and ministry recorded in the four gospels.

Pontius Pilate

Roman governor who found no fault in Jesus but crucified him.

Tiberius

Roman Emperor thought to be opposed by Jesus.

Gospel

The teaching that Jesus Christ died for sinful humans so they can be forgiven.

Paul

A persecutor of the church who became a zealous Christian with a significant impact on Christianity.

Nero

Roman Emperor who initiated the first official Roman persecution of Christianity.

Diocletian

Leader of the last and most widespread persecution of Christians as Roman Emperor.

Edict of Milan

Constantine's edict in 313 that made Christianity legal.

Constantine

Roman emperor who made Christianity legal, ending centuries of persecution.

Arius

Challenged the deity of Christ, leading to the Council of Nicaea called by Constantine.

Council of Nicaea

Church council in 325 that affirmed the doctrines of Christ’s deity and the Trinity.

Patriarchs

Bishops of important cities of the empire; appointed in key locations.

Huns

Nomadic tribe led by Attila that forced Germanic tribes to seek refuge in Roman territory.

Visigoths

Germanic tribe that settled in the Eastern Roman Empire and defeated Rome.

Attila

Leader of the Huns, called the scourge of God for invading Roman territory.

Vandals

Germanic tribe that plundered Rome and established a kingdom in North Africa.

Cicero

Leading Political figure, author, lawyer, and statesman known as a great orator.

Livy

Roman historian who wrote a linked history from the city's founding to the Republic's end.

Tacitus

Historian who favored the Old Republic and provided a pessimistic view of Rome under emperors.

Ptolemy

Promoter of the theory that Earth is the center of the universe.

Geocentric theory

Earth-centered theory of the universe.

Aqueducts

Structures designed to supply water to cities.

Epicurean

Belief system stating the way to attain good was to avoid fear and pain.

Seneca

Tutor of Emperor Nero; saw stoicism as a solution to Rome's moral decline.

Stoicism

Philosophy teaching that the highest good is the pursuit of courage, dignity, and duty.