Unit 5 - Rise of Rome

Romulus and Remus

Legendary figures said to have founded Rome in 753 BC.

Virgil

A Roman poet who documented the founding of Rome through the Aeneid.

Aeneas

Trojan hero who, according to Virgil, helped establish Rome.

Tiber River

The river on the banks of which Rome was founded.

Pax Romana

A period of peace and stability across the Roman Empire.

Patricians

Wealthy landowners who held power in the Roman Republic.

Plebeians

Common citizens of Rome, often poorer farmers and craftsmen.

Twelve Tables

The first codification of Roman law, established around 450 BCE.

Legion

A military unit of the Roman army consisting of around 4,200 soldiers.

Consuls

The two chief executives and army commanders in the Roman Republic.

Cincinnatus

A Roman statesman known for his civic duty and temporary dictatorship.

Etruscans

An ancient civilization that influenced early Rome, especially in engineering.

Greek influence

The contributions made by Greek culture in religion, philosophy, and art to Roman society.

Roman Forum

The central area in Rome used for public forums, business, and politics.

Aquila

A standard that signified the legion's strength and unity.

Carthage

A powerful North African city-state and Rome's main rival during the Punic Wars.

First Punic War

Conflict between Rome and Carthage from 264-241 BCE for control of Sicily.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who famously crossed the Alps to attack Rome.

Battle of Cannae

A significant battle during the Second Punic War where Hannibal defeated Rome.

Scipio

The Roman general who defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE.

Civil War

A conflict within a country, exemplified by wars between Marius and Sulla.

Triumvirate

A political alliance among three powerful individuals.

Julius Caesar

A key figure in the transition from Roman Republic to Empire; declared dictator for life.

Assassination of Caesar

The murder of Julius Caesar by senators on March 15, 44 BCE.

Diocletian

Roman emperor who divided the empire into the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.

Constantine

Emperor who established Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire that continued on after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Barbarians

Various tribes outside the Roman Empire that contributed to its downfall.

Visigoths

A Germanic tribe that sacked Rome in 410 AD.

Huns

Nomadic people from Central Asia who invaded Europe and pressured the Roman Empire.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Marked by the abdication of the last emperor in 476 AD.

Civic virtue

The notion that citizens should prioritize the common good over personal interests.

Sulla

A Roman general who became dictator and initiated reforms; rival of Marius.

The Aeneid

Epic poem by Virgil that tells the story of the Trojan hero Aeneas.

Roman architecture

Architecture characterized by the use of arches, vaults, and domes.

Aqueducts

Structural systems built to transport water into cities.

Roman citizenship

Status granted to freeborn men of Rome, which provided specific rights.

Military reorganization

Changes implemented by leaders like Marius to allow non-property owners to enlist.

Tetrarchy

The system of rule by four emperors introduced by Diocletian.

Economic disparity

The growing gap between the rich and poor in Roman society after the Punic Wars.

Gracchi brothers

Tribunes who proposed land reforms to help the poor and were assassinated.

Etruscan Kings

Rulers of early Rome who were eventually overthrown to establish the Republic.

Senate

The legislative body in the Roman Republic controlled mainly by Patricians.

Roman myths

Traditional tales, often explaining the origins of Rome and its values.

Roman military structure

The organization of military forces including legions and the rank structure.

Augustus

First Roman emperor, established many reforms and initiated the Pax Romana.