Roman Republic and Empire Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Roman Republic and Empire, including significant figures, events, and societal structures.

Roman Republic

Established in 509 BCE, it marked a significant change in governance, replacing a monarchy with a system of elected officials and a Senate.

Senate

An advisory council in the Roman Republic consisting of approximately 300 wealthy patricians, influencing politics and governance.

T. Sempronius Gracchus

Tribune who proposed land redistribution to alleviate the shortage of soldiers and increase landless citizens; assassinated, marking significant political violence.

C. Marius

General and consul who reformed the military to recruit landless citizens, shifting loyalty from the state to military leaders.

L. Cornelius Sulla

General who seized power during a civil war, restored Senate authority, and ruled through fear and violence.

Spartacus

Thracian gladiator who led a major slave rebellion; significant for challenging Roman authority.

Cn. Pompey Magnus

Famous Roman general and member of the First Triumvirate; his rivalry with Caesar contributed to the fall of the Republic.

C. Julius Caesar

General and politician who became dictator; implemented reforms, expanded Senate, and was assassinated due to fear of his power.

Battle of Pharsalus

Turning point in the civil war where Caesar defeated Pompey, leading to Caesar's rise as the uncontested leader of Rome.

Cleopatra VII

Last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt; her alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony had significant political ramifications in Rome.

M. Junius Brutus

Roman senator involved in the assassination of Caesar, believing it would restore the Republic.

C. Cassius Longinus

Senator who conspired in Caesar's assassination; played a key role in the political unrest following Caesar's death.

Pax Romana

A 200-year period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire, allowing for economic growth and cultural achievements.

Emperor Trajan

Known for expanding the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent and initiating substantial public works.

Sassanids Persia

Last pre-Islamic Persian Empire, engaged in frequent conflicts with Rome, contributing to its decline.

German Tribes

A collection of tribes that invaded Roman territories, leading to the fragmentation and end of the Western Roman Empire.

Diocletian

Emperor who enacted reforms to stabilize the empire, including administrative expansions and increased military control.

Constantine I

First Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, he transformed the empire by legalizing Christianity and establishing Constantinople.

Edict of Milan

Proclamation by Constantine granting religious freedom and legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Christianity

A religion that emerged in the Roman Empire, emphasizing monotheism, salvation, and communal belonging.

Paul of Tarsus

A key figure in early Christianity, who spread Jesus' teachings beyond Jewish communities to non-Jews.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived the fall of the West, maintaining Roman and Greek culture.

Theodosius I

Last emperor to rule over both halves of the Roman Empire; made Christianity the state religion.

Visigoths

Germanic tribe that defeated Roman forces and contributed to the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Battle of Adrianople

A significant defeat for the Roman Empire, showcasing its vulnerability and leading to increased Germanic invasions.

Romulus Augustulus

Last emperor of the Western Roman Empire; deposed, marking the traditional date for the end of Rome.

Franks

Germanic tribe that established a kingdom in post-Roman Europe, preserving elements of Roman culture.

Umayyads

The first hereditary dynasty in Islam, overseeing significant expansion and characterized by favoritism towards Arabs.

Abbasids

Islamic dynasty that overthrew the Umayyads, known for its Golden Age and cultural advancements.

Tang Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty known for its cultural and military expansions, impacting the rise of Islam.

Battle of Talas River

Conflict between Tang China and the Abbasid Caliphate that marked the end of Chinese dominance in Central Asia.

Maya

Mesoamerican civilization known for its advancements in writing, mathematics, astronomy, and social hierarchy.

Maya Calendar

Sophisticated calendar system indicating the Maya's cyclical view of time, based on astronomical events.

Collapse of Maya

Decline attributed to environmental factors, internal conflicts, and resource scarcity leading to the abandonment of cities.