Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Flashcards about the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire.

RISE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Conquered the entire Italian peninsula by 388 BC and became the dominant maritime power in the Mediterranean region.

CARTHAGE

City-state on the northern coast of Africa settled by Phoenician traders, controlling North Africa and the Western Mediterranean.

Punic Wars

Three wars lasting from 264 to 146 BC between Rome and Carthage.

1st PUNIC WAR

Fought to establish control over the strategic islands of Corsica and Sicily.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who swore to destroy Rome and led an expedition across the Alps into Italy.

3rd PUNIC WAR

Rome destroyed Carthage after Cato the Elder called for its destruction.

Mare Nostrum

"Our Sea" - The Mediterranean Sea area controlled by Rome.

Latifundia

Large plantations with slaves that contributed to the displacement of small farmers.

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

Brothers who attempted reforms to redistribute land to the poor, but were killed by senators.

Julius Caesar

Ambitious politician and accomplished soldier who took an army to conquer Gaul and was later assassinated.

Caesar's Reforms

Public works to create jobs and granting citizenship to more people.

Ides of March

The date of Julius Caesar's assassination, marking the end of the Roman Republic.

Caesar Augustus

Caesar's grand-nephew who became the first Roman emperor.

Augustus's Reforms

Introduced a stable government, civil service, and economic reforms.

Caligula

Roman emperor rumored to have wanted to appoint his horse consul and was known for his cruelty.

Nero

Roman emperor who persecuted Christians and likely torched Rome in AD 64.

Hadrian

Roman emperor who codified laws and built a wall in Britain.

Marcus Aurelius

Philosopher-king who wrote "Meditations" and successfully waged defensive wars.

Pax Romana

Period of Roman peace and prosperity lasting from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius.

Diocletian

Divided the empire into East and West and appointed a co-emperor.

Constantine

Granted toleration to Christians and built Constantinople in the East.

Germanic Invaders

Germanic people who invaded and eventually took over parts of the Roman Empire.

Huns

Nomadic people from East Asia who pushed Germanic tribes into Rome.

Attila

Hun general known as the "Scourge of God".

476 AD

The year the Roman Emperor was ousted by a Germanic leader, marking the "Fall of Rome".