CLA 2103 midterm

Why did Greek historians traditionally date the start of the Roman Republic to 510 BC?

They synchronized the expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus with the 510 BC expulsion of the Athenian tyrant Hippias.

Who established 753 BC as the canonical, universally recognized date for Rome's foundation?

Marcus Terentius Varro.

What do archaeological excavations in the Forum indicate about Rome's true foundation?

Monumental public buildings only appear in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, suggesting a much later political foundation than 753 BC.

What do the Latin terms "conubium" and "commercium" mean?

Conubium means the right of marriage, and commercium means the mutual exchange of goods.

What was the Etruscan word for a king?

Luumno.

What was the "inauguratio" and why did it prevent hereditary monarchy?

A ceremony where the new king was "seized" (capere) and confirmed by Jupiter's bird flight signs; because this specific ritual trial was required, power could not automatically pass to a son.

What was the Roman magical ritual of "evocatio"?

Calling out the gods of an enemy city to abandon their people and join Rome.

What was the Roman magical ritual of "devotio"?

A general consecrating his own death to the gods of the underworld in exchange for victory.

What happened to the Fabian clan at the Cremera river in 477 BC?

They were defeated while fighting a private, aristocratic war against Veii.

What does the Satricum Inscription (referencing "men of Mars") prove about early Rome?

It proves the existence of private aristocratic warrior bands, showing Rome lacked a state monopoly on military force.

Who were the fetiales?

A newly created college of priests responsible for the rituals of declaring war and concluding peace.

According to the Twelve Tables, what happened to a patron who exploited their client?

They were punished by proscription.

What four rural tribes were created after the Roman conquest of Veii in 396 BC?

Armensis, Tromentina, Stellatina, and Subatina.

What was the Foedus Cassianum (Treaty of Cassius)?

A defensive alliance with the Latins granting equal spoils and jurisdiction, though Rome reserved half of all war booty.

How did the Roman alliance system treat "municipia" (subject communities)?

They had to take on the burdens of Roman citizens (munus capere) but had no political rights.

Did Rome levy taxes or tribute from its Italian allies?

No, they only required them to provide troops.

Who subjugated the Sabines in 290 BC?

Manius Curius Dentatus.

How did Rome's military manpower compare to Carthage's in the 3rd century BC?

Rome had massive militia reserves (hundreds of thousands), while Carthage had a tiny citizen army (25k-55k) and relied heavily on expensive mercenaries.

What did the Comitia Centuriata reform of 241 BC accomplish?

It linked tribes with property classes to ensure rural precedence over urban tribes.

Who were the "homines novi"?

"New men" who elevated their families into the nobility (nobilitas) by winning popular election to the consulship.

What were "imagines" in the context of Roman funerals?

Ancestor masks worn by relatives during funeral processions to display the family's historical glory and offices.

Who was the first plebeian consul elected in 366 BC?

Lucius Sextius Lateranus.

What were the duties of the Roman Aedile?

Managing public safety, religious games, the grain supply, and markets.

What were the duties of the Roman Censor?

Managing the census, leasing state properties, handling public contracts, and reconstituting the senate.

PPTX

• 4

What are the Roman Numerals for 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000?

I, V, X, L, C, D, M

What is the Roman numeral system based on?

The Ancient Greek alphabet

When does counting become subjective in Roman numerals?

After 3,000

Visual etymology of 'I' (1)

One finger

Visual etymology of 'V' (5)

Shape of thumb and index finger

Visual etymology of 'X' (10)

Two 'V's

Visual etymology of 'L' (50)

Greek psi (flattened into upside-down T)

Visual etymology of 'C' (100)

Greek theta (matches Latin centum)

Visual etymology of 'D' (500)

Half of Greek phi

Visual etymology of 'M' (1000)

Greek phi (matches Latin mille)

Roman numeral for 2026

MMXXVI

Roman numeral for 3000

MMM

Roman numeral for 1600

MDC

Roman numeral for 753

DCCLIII

Roman numeral for 509

DIX

Roman numeral for 180

CLXXX

What year was Rome inhabited?

1600 BC

What year was Rome mythologically founded?

753 BC

Who mythologically founded Rome?

Romulus and Remus

Years of the Etruscan Tarquinian Dynasty rule

753–509 BC

Years of the Early Republic

509–343 BC

Years of the Samnite Wars / Roman expansion

343–264 BC

Years of the High Republic / Punic Wars

264–146 BC

Years of the Late Republic / Civil Wars / 1st Triumvirate

146–44 BC

Years of the Fall of Republic / 2nd Triumvirate

44 BC–14 AD

What year was the birth of the Roman Empire?

14 AD

What percentage of early Roman societal focus was military?

50%

What reliably followed Roman territorial expansion?

Monumental political instability and civil war

Who makes up the Capitoline Triad?

Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva

Who originally dedicated the land for the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus?

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (Etruscan king)

Who finished building the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus?

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (last king of Rome)

What is augury?

Defining the will of the gods by watching the flight paths/times of birds

Which two gods famously refused to move for Jupiter's temple?

Terminus (god of boundaries) and Juventas (goddess of youth/healing)

Who rebuilt the Temple of Jupiter after the 83 BC fire?

Quintus Lutatius Catulus (minor)

How did early Romans track elapsed years since the Republic's founding?

The supreme officer drove a nail (clavus) into Minerva's chapel inside Jupiter's temple on the Ides of September

Why was the annual nail driven into Minerva's temple section?

She was considered the goddess of numbers, calculations, and invention

Where did the Romans likely inherit the year-nailing practice from?

The Etruscans (who nailed years into the temple of goddess Nortia)

What is another name for the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus?

The Capitoline Temple

Which two minor gods' shrines were incorporated into the Capitoline Temple because they refused to move?

Terminus (boundaries) and Juventas (youth)

Which major gods did Terminus and Juventas syncretize with?

Terminus with Jupiter; Juventas with Minerva and Juno

What era was the 8th to 6th century BC in Rome?

The time of the Kings (Etruscan Monarchy)

When was the Roman Republic founded?

510/509 BC

Why were nails driven specifically into Minerva's side of the temple?

She is the goddess of numbers, military strategy, crafts, and skills

What is the Latin word for nail?

Clavus

What does the Latin word "annulus" mean, and what time-keeping word is it related to?

It means "ring" and is etymologically related to "annus" (year)

Where did the practice of counting years with nails likely originate?

The Etruscans (who drove nails into the temple of the goddess Nortia at Volsinii)

If Rome was physically inhabited around 1600 BC, what does the 753 BC "founding" date likely represent?

The year the Etruscans (and their nail-counting system) arrived in Rome

What is the ancient practice of "infant exposure"?

Abandoning an unwanted or abnormal infant to the elements (e.g., throwing them in a river)

According to the Satyricon excerpt, did early Rome have a guilt culture or a shame culture?

A shame culture (people were only concerned if others found out about their misdeeds)

What are the three Etruscan kings from the Tarquin dynasty that historians believe were actually real people?

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, and Lucius Tarquinius Sextus

What major structure did Lucius Tarquinius Priscus initially mark out and build?

The Circus Maximus

Why is Livy's description of the early Circus Maximus considered an anachronism?

He describes a colossal structure with 12-foot scaffolding, which the early Roman state lacked the manufacturing power to build (it was likely just a field)

Who was Lucius Tarquinius Sextus?

The son of King Superbus who raped Lucretia

How did Sextus successfully coerce Lucretia?

He threatened to kill her and a slave, staging their bodies to frame her for infamous adultery

Why did the threat of adultery work on Lucretia when the threat of death did not?

Rome was a shame culture; the fake adultery would bring permanent public shame and dishonor to her entire family

Why did Lucretia commit suicide after the assault?

To restore her honor and avoid the public shame placed upon her, establishing the Roman ideal of the "noble suicide"

Who swore a vengeance pact against the Tarquins after pulling the knife from Lucretia's chest?

L. Junius Brutus (alongside Collatinus)

How did Brutus and the rebels overthrow the Etruscan monarchy?

They beat King Superbus back to Rome and locked him out of the city gates, forcing him into exile

What is the Pomerium?

The sacred boundary line that separated the protected, sacred interior of a newly founded city from the outside world

How did religion keep early Roman politicians in check?

The Roman state was theocratic; political figures had religious roles, so acting outside their duties was considered sacrilege

What nearby city was considered Rome's arch-enemy during the early Republic?

Veii

What major Roman military celebration evolved from Etruscan funerary processions?

The Roman Triumph

What was the primary role of Etruscan women in society compared to Roman women?

They owned property and were in public life, but could not hold public office

Did every male citizen in early Rome have the right to vote?

No, only the warriors had voting rights (non-warriors, even patricians, could not vote).

What is a Materfamilias?

The female head of the family.

What are the main weaknesses of the Phalanx formation?

Bad terrain, cavalry charges, flanking maneuvers, and ambushes.

Why did the early Roman army often prefer ambushes over open Phalanx warfare?

The army consisted mostly of farmers, and the Phalanx risked devastating casualties that would destroy their agricultural workforce.

What was the Praetor Maximus?

The highest-ranking praetor, likely acting as a supreme commander or dictator.

What was the role of the Magister Populi?

Master of the Infantry.

What was the role of the Magister Equitum?

Master of the Cavalry.

What did the Tribuni Militum originally do?

They ensured the tribes of warriors were ready for battle, later evolving into logistics and supply officers.

What was the primary conflict in the Struggle of the Orders?

The wealthy, powerful Patrician class vs. the increasingly wealthy but politically disenfranchised Plebeian warrior class.

What was the Comitia Centuriata?

An assembly of 193 centurions from both Patrician and Plebeian classes that elected magistrates.

What was the Concilium Plebis?

A council created to protect the interests of the Plebeians, particularly against debt slavery.