Set 1: Roman Republic, Military, Emperors & Gladiators

Republic

A form of government where power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders.

Roman Republic

Government where citizens voted, but power mainly held by Patricians.

Roman Democracy

Not a true democracy because the Senate held most power.

Romulus and Remus

Mythical founders of Rome; Romulus killed Remus and named Rome.

Aristocracy

The highest class in society, holding hereditary titles or offices.

Patricians

Wealthy class of Rome that only married other Patricians and were a small part of the population.

Plebeians

Common people of Rome with limited political rights.

Roman Senate

Governing body of Rome, made up of Patricians.

Consuls

Two highest elected officials in the Roman Republic.

Assembly

Group of citizens in Rome that could vote on laws and elect officials.

Cincinnatus

Roman citizen-soldier and model of civic duty.

The Twelve Tables

Rome’s earliest written code of laws.

Cursus Honorum

The sequence of public offices a Roman politician followed.

First Triumvirate

Political alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.

Second Triumvirate

Alliance of Octavian, Lepidus, and Mark Antony.

Rubicon River

River Caesar crossed that started a civil war.

Anti-Caesarian

Group opposed to Caesar’s growing power.

Roman Legion

Large military unit of Roman soldiers.

Legionary

Soldier in a Roman legion.

Centurion

Officer in charge of a Roman century (about 80 men).

Training

Hand-to-hand combat, weapons, swimming, building bridges.

Garrisons

Military camps used for defense and maintaining control.

Praetorian Guard

Elite soldiers protecting the emperor.

Gladius

Short sword used by Roman soldiers.

Pilum

Heavy javelin used by Roman soldiers.

Punic Wars

Rome’s wars against Carthage, demonstrating army strength.

Carthage

North African city-state, Rome’s rival in the Punic Wars.

Sicily

Strategic island fought over in the Punic Wars.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who invaded Italy.

Scipio

Roman general who defeated Hannibal.

Provinces

Territories conquered and controlled by Rome.

Julius Caesar

Roman general, politician, dictator for life.

Pompey the Great

Roman general, member of the First Triumvirate.

Marcus Crassus

Wealthy Roman and member of the First Triumvirate.

Cleopatra VII

Queen of Egypt, ally of Mark Antony.

Dictator for Life

Title given to Caesar that alarmed senators.

Ides of March

Date of Caesar’s assassination, March 15, 44 BCE.

Marcus Brutus

Senator and leader in Caesar’s assassination.

Octavius/Octavian

Caesar’s heir, became first emperor.

Lepidus

Member of the Second Triumvirate.

Mark Antony

Member of the Second Triumvirate, ally of Cleopatra.

Emperor

Ruler of the Roman Empire.

Battle of Actium

Naval battle where Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra.

Pax Romana

200 years of peace and prosperity in Rome.

Roads

Built to improve travel, trade, and military movement.

Aqueducts

Structures to carry water over long distances.

Pantheon

Large temple with the largest free-standing dome.

Nero

Roman emperor blamed for the Great Fire, persecuted Christians.

Marcus Aurelius

Philosopher-emperor, last of the "good" emperors.

Gladiators

Fighters who entertained the public, often prisoners or slaves.

Gladiator Games

Public events to entertain and distract the population.

Amphitheater

Outdoor arena used for gladiator games.

Colosseum

Largest amphitheater in Rome, seated 70,000 people.

Emperor Vespasian

Ordered construction of the Colosseum.

Wooden Sword of Freedom

Award granted to successful gladiators for freedom.

Gladiator Schools

Institutions that trained gladiators for combat.