Republic
a form of government which allows people to vote on leaders
What is Rome's main river
Tiber River
Aqueducts - Importance
Allows access to CLEAN water all over the Roman Empire; can support a higher population
Who were the three groups who founded Rome?
Etruscans, Greeks, and Latins
Why does Rome become a Republic?
They didn't want to be ruled by a king again
Patricians
wealthy land owners
Plebeians
common folk; farmers & merchants (make up most of the population)
Tribunes
group of plebeian representatives
Legions
large military units
Senate
Most powerful office in Rome—members of the upper class
Consul
officials who commanded armies and directed the government
Two problems that occur during the expansion of the Roman Republic?
Punic Wars (Against Carthage) and Slave Revolts
Punic Wars - Importance
Rome gained dominance over the Mediterranean Sea—great for TRADE
Servile Revolts
series of unsuccessful slave revolts
The Third Servile Revolt - Importance
The only war that THREATENED THE REPUBLIC; resulted in the CRUCIFICTION of many many slaves
Spartacus
Led the third servile revolt (AKA The Gladiator War)
Dictator
A leader who has all the power in a government
Why does the Republic fall?
Civil War & Economy
Civil War
people fighting among themselves
Julius Caesar - ID
Member of the 1st Triumvirate, becomes popular due to his many victories, married Cleopatra, [reforms], appointed DICTATOR FOR LIFE in 44 BCE and ASSASSINATED by a group of senators soon after
Julius Caesar - Reforms
Expands the senate, creates jobs, starts colonies, increases soldier wages, NEW CALENDAR (+90 days & leap day)
Battle of Actium
The FINAL battle of the Roman Republic; Octavian vs. Mark Antony
Battle of Actium - Causes
Mark Antony left Octavian's sister for Cleopatra, Mark Antony was becoming too Egyptian, and Cleopatra claimed that her son was the heir to the Roman throne
Pax Romana - ID
"Roman Peace" — time period of 207 years, highest ever population of 60-80 million, extensive trading, RISE OF CHRISTIANITY, and Augustus sets up a stable government with civil service employees
What percent of Romans farmed?
90%
Colosseums - ID
Distracts the poor from revolting, everything is free, about 230 amphitheaters in the Empire, The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater built by the Romans (seats 50-60 thousand)
Trajan - ID
Most expanded territory peak; helped the poor by providing money, food, and SUBSIDIZED EDUCATION; built Trajan's Column, Trajan's Market, and The Baths of Trajan; Declared "Optimus Princeps" (the best ruler) by senate
Hadrian - ID
Traveled to every providence, well rounded, forbid torture, built HADRIAN'S WALL, started the BEARD trend, declared the "HAPPIEST ERA OF HUMAN HISTORY" by senate
Marcus Aurelius
the Philosopher King
Homeland of the Jews
Judea
Why does Jesus's popularity start to concern the Romans? The Jewish leaders?
Christianity is a monotheistic religion and popular = powerful; religious leaders will lose followers
Diaspora
Jewish people driven from their homeland
Why does the Roman Empire fall?
Inflation, food shortages, lack of loyalty
Diocletian - Reforms
Doubles the army size, changes tax system, fixed prices for goods, recruits Barbarians, and SPLITS THE EMPIRE IN TWO
Constantine - ID
REUNITED the TWO HALVES, the first Christian Emperor, EDICT OF MILAN (no persecution of Christians), MOVED CAPITAL TO CONSTANTINOPLE
Why did Emperors want to rule the Eastern side of the Empire?
More trading centers, more cities, more people, & more money
Why did the CITY of Rome start to decline?
war, disease, & emigration (down to 30,000 people)
Attila the Hun
He tells the Barbarians to choose to fight the Huns or the Romans; his army burns Roman cities to the ground and kills/rapes the citizens
What made the Roman Empire so powerful? (Essay - Four Examples)
Thesis: The Roman Empire was powerful because it had the strongest army at the time (Julius Caesar & the Rubicon), had access to the Mediterranean Sea (trade), used progressive architecture (aqueducts & amphitheaters), and had smart leaders (Augustus, Trajan, & Hadrian).