Rome Unit Vocab List

Etruscans

The group of people who ruled Rome before Romans revolted

Romulus and Remus

Legendary figures in Roman history, they built a city that eventually became Rome.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

Patricians

Powerful landowners who controlled Roman government and society

Plebeians

The common people of ancient Rome

Consuls

The two most powerful magistrates in Rome, elected each year

Praetors

Roman government officials who interpret the law and serve as judges

Roman Senate

A council of wealthy and powerful citizens who advised Rome's leaders and made the laws, mostly patricians

Roman Assemblies

Groups of citizens who voted on laws and elected officials; voted on war and peace; served as courts; elected tribunes

Roman Tribunes

● Representatives for the Plebeians
● Protected Plebeians from unfair acts of Patrician officials

Roman Dictator

A temporary Roman Ruler with absolute power chosen during a military emergency for 6 months.

12 tables

Rome's first code of written laws

Punic Wars

A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage (264-146 B.C.); resulted in the destruction of Carthage and Rome's dominance over the western Mediterranean.

Carthage

City located in present-day Tunisia, founded by Phoenicians ca. 800 B.C.E. It became a major commercial center and naval power in the western Mediterranean until defeated by the expanding Roman Republic in the third century B.C.E.

Hannibal Barca

Carthaginian military commander who, in the Second Punic War, attempted a surprise attack on Rome, crossing the Alps with a large group of soldiers, horses, and elephants.

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

Two brothers who served as Roman tribunes who tried to address Rome's problems by giving land to poor Romans, selling food cheaply to poor citizens, expanding the vote, and getting rid of corruption in the Senate. Both were killed as people began to see violence as a political weapon.

Marius

A Roman general who recruited volunteer warriors who swore oaths of loyalty to him instead of Rome

Sulla

Rival of Marius, He marches on Rome and takes control of the Senate, killing all who oppose him. Tries to reestablish Senate as Roman body of control. Is friends with Pompey

First Triumvirate

Unofficial coalition between Julius Caesar, Pompey (conqueror of the Eastern Mediterranean), and Crassus (richest man in Rome), basically takes over Roman government

Julius Caesar

Part of the first triumvirate who eventually became "dictator for life" after invading Roman lands with his armies. Gave land to citizens who sided with him and expanded the Senate. Was assassinated by fellow senators in 44 B.C.E.

Second Triumvirate

Unofficial coalition between Antony (Caesar's right-hand man), Octavian (Caesar's adopted son), and Lepidus (one of Caesar's generals)

Octavian/
Augustus

Julius Caesar's grandnephew, later known as Augustus. By defeating Mark Antony, he gained rule of all Roman lands. He was Rome's first true emperor.

Imperator

The Roman title of "Emperor"

Empire

An extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, formerly especially an emperor or empress.

Flavian Dynasty

A dynasty of Roman emperors from 69 to 96 including Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian, they built the Coliseum

Pax Romana

A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money.

Diocletian

Roman emperor from 284 to 305. Divided Rome into a "tetrarchy", or a four-part empire, with two halves of Western and Eastern Empire

Constantine

Roman Emperor between 306 CE and 337 CE. He issued the Edict of Milan which outlawed the persecution of Christians. He also founded the city of Constantinople, the future capital of the Byzantine Empire.