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Latin

Latin

The language of Ancient Rome

peninsula

land surrounded by water on three sides

Roman Senate

a council of wealthy and powerful Romans that advised the city's leaders. Served for life

Consuls

the two most powerful officials in Rome

Tribunes

official who was elected by the plebeians to protect their interests. Had the power to veto

New Testament

the second part of the bible; it tells you about the life and teachings of Jesus and about his followers

republic

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

Forum

Rome's public meeting place

Jesus of Nazareth

his life and sermons form the basis for Chritianity

Republic

a form of government in which citizens elect representatives to speak or act for them.

Senate

A powerful, ruling body of 300 Roman patricians who served a life-term.

Consuls

a set of two officials of Rome who commanded the army and government. Elected by the Roman Senate, only ruled for one year, and could overrule/veto each other.

Legion

A military unit of the ancient Roman army, made up of about 5,000 foot soldiers and a group of soldiers on horseback.

Romulus and Remus

Traditional story of how Rome began. Twins abandoned and rescued by a wolf, raised by a shepherd. Grew to build Rome.

Plebians

Members of the lower class of Ancient Rome including small farmers, merchants, artisans and traders.

Twelve Tables

The earliest written collection of Roman laws, drawn up by patricians about 450 B.C. that became the foundation of Roman law.

Triumverate

government of ancient Rome ruled equally by three people.

Julius Caesar

A successful Roman general and famous speaker, was governer of Gaul, used army to expand control of Roman Republic, eventually becoming a "dictator for life".

Caesar

A title used by all Roman emperors. When a New Testament writer mentions "Caesar," he means the emperor who was ruling at the time.

Octavian Augustus

Roman statesman who established the Roman Empire and became emperor in 27 BC.

Colosseum

Ancient Roman arena known for its tremendous architecture and bloody entertainment

Pompeii

Roman city near Naples, Italy, which was buried during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Augustus

Imperial title meaning "majestic or exalted one", given to Octavian from the Senate marking the founding of the Empire of Rome.

Marcus Aurelias

Brought the empire to the height of economic prosperity and defeated invaders, also wrote philosophy. Last Caesar of the Pax Romana era.

Tiberius

Son-in-law of Augustus who became a suspicious tyrannical Emperor of Rome after a brilliant military career (42 BC to AD 37)

Vespasian

Emperor of Rome and founder of the Flavian dynasty who consolidated Roman rule in Germany and Britain and reformed the army and brought prosperity to the empire

Diocletian

Emperor of Rome (284-305) who divided the empire into east and west (286) in an attempt to rule the territory more effectively. His desire to revive the old religion of Rome led to the last major persecution of the Christians (303).

Constantine

Roman Emperor (4th century A.D.) who promoted tolerance to all religions in the Roman Empire and legalized Christianity

Latins

The local people who first lived in the area of Rome.

Etruscans

Beginning in the 700s BCE, first rulers of Roman Republic and Empire; Laid the foundation for Rome and Roman civilization. Skilled metal workers. Built up Rome, streets, temples. Ruled early Rome until 509 BC

Sicily

the largest island in the Mediterranean, near the "toe" of Italy.

Apennines

a mountain range that extends through Italy from north to south

Carthage

an ancient city state on the north African coast; enemy of Rome in Punic Wars

Zama

Battle where Scipio defeated Carthage in 202 B.C. during Punic Wars.

Hannibal

General of Carthage who marched his army from Spain to Rome in Second Punic War

patrician

In ancient Rome, a member of the wealthy, privileged upper class

plebian

in ancient Rome, one of the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up most of the population

consul

one of two elected officials of the Roman Republic who commanded the army and ran the governmentengrad

praetor

important government offical in ancient Rome; interpretted the law and acted as judge

dictator

In ancient Rome, a political leader given absolute power to make laws and command the army for a limited time.

triumvirate

In ancient Rome, a group of three leaders sharing control of the government.

Rubicon

a small river which Julius Caesar crossed on his march into Italy that began a civil war

Actium

The battle in 31 BC where Octavian crushed Antony and Cleopatra and took over the Roman empire

Octavian

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.

Antony

Caesar's ally and assistant; later allied with Egyptian queen Cleopatra VIII; both were defeated by Octavian and committed suicide

Pax Romana

means "Roman Peace;" refers to the 200 years of peace and stability that Rome maintained within its borders during the early empire, lasting from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180.

Caligula

A cruel and insane ruler of the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.; one of the twelve Caesars. To humiliate the senators of Rome, he appointed his horse to the senate. His given name was Gaius Julius Caesar.

Nero

Last of the Julio Claudian emperors, Murdered his mother, Blamed Christians for fire in Rome. "fiddled while Rome burned." The Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)

aqueduct

in ancient Rome, bridgelike stone structure that carried water from the hills into the cities

currency

system of money

Rhine River

one river which formed the north eastern border of the Roman empire set by Hadrian

Myth

A traditional story about gods, ancestors, or heroes, told to explain the natural world or the customs and beliefs of a society.

Palatine

One of the seven hills in ancient Rome

Arch

Curved architecture for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it

Gladiators

Trained fighters, usually slaves, who fought in arenas as entertainment

Greco-Roman Art

having the characteristics of Roman art with a strong Greek influence

Patricians

Powerful wealthy landowners who controlled Roman government and society

Plebeians

Members of the lower class of Ancient Rome including farmers, merchants, artisans and traders

Tribune

In ancient Rome, an official elected by the plebeians to protect their rights

Empire

A group of states or territories controlled by one ruler

Civil War

A war between people of the same country

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

Christianity

A monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior

Jesus Christ

A teacher and prophet whose life and teachings form the basis of Christianity. Christians believe Him to be Son of God

Messiah

Hebrew for "anointed." This is used in reference to Jesus because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission of priest, prophet, and king, signified by his being anointed as Christ

Prefect

A chief officer or military governor

Gospels

Four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings

Disciples

Followers of Jesus who helped spread his religious teachings

Imperialism

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to establish control over other countries land and people

Census

A periodic and official count of a country's population

Apostles

12 disciples of Jesus, chosen to help Him in his teaching

Martyrs

People who are willing to die for their religous beliefs

Constantinople

A place previously known as Byzantium which became the capitol of the Roman Empire or "new Rome"

Huns

Warlike people who migrated from Eastern Europe into territory controlled by Germanic tribes, forcing them to move into areas controlled by Rome

Mercenary

A soldier who fights for any country or group that will pay him