HIS 101 EXAM 2

Nobiles

Upper 5%, Small group of rich and powerful families of both patrician and plebeian class who controlled the highest offices in Rome

Populares

The Roman political group support will of the common people, “the people’s men”

Cicero

A Roman senator renowned for his oratorical skill. Speaks at Caesar's triumphal parade. Wants Brutus to kill Antony and use Octavian. He later dies at the order of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus.

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

Last Roman Barrack Emperor, follows Claudius’ reforms, persecutes Christians, creates Tetrarchy (govt. of four)

Cleopatra VII

Great Ptolemaic queen, baby momma to Caesar and Antony, fights Octavian

Trajan

“The Aggressive One”, wants Rome to win and fight again, adopted by Nerva,

Septimius Severus

first emperor of the Severan dynasty (violent harsh dynasty), wins civil war between generals and is strong military leader, last strong emperor for generations

Gaius Gracchus

Roman politician who honored his brother, land reforms, new colonies, grain supply, made enemy of state by corrupt senators

Caracalla

Septimius’ eldest son, brute and violent, kills some of his family, increase army’s pay, ruins Rome’s economy, full citizenship to all free men, last emperor of Severan dynasty leads to period of crisis

Senatus Consultum Ultimum

Senate’s ultimate weapon to declare someone enemy of state, legal to kill them

Livia

Happily married but Octavian falls in love w/ her and forces her to get divorced and marry him

Marcus Aurelius

Last of the "Good Emperors", adopted by Antoninus, was co-emperor and philosopher, has a son

Donatism

Followers of Donatus, Non-Orthodox Christians, N. African movement, other Christians didn’t suffer as much as me

Optimates

"best men." Aristocratic leaders in the late Roman Republic who generally came from senatorial families and wished to retain their oligarchical privileges.

Marc Antony

One of Caesar's generals, Falls in love with Cleopatra, He and Cleopatra declare war on Rome in 31 BC which they lose, member of second triumvirate.

Arianism

A heresy denying that Jesus is truly God, rejection of Holy Trinity

Council of Nicaea

(325 CE) A council called by Constantine to agree upon correct Christian doctrine and settle some disputes of the time.

Transitional View

1960’s view, Rome just changed directions, not a bad thing

Nika Revolt

Chariot riot against Justinian and burn down Constantinople. His wife tells him not to run away and he sends army and 30,000 people are killed.

Ammianus Marcellinus

former soldier of Julian, valuable historian who witnessed and complained about the moral decay among Romans

Revised View

Rome changed w/ the church AND declined

Reccared I

Leovigild successor, converted to Orthodoxy to ease tensions

Isidore of Seville

Visigoth intellectual scholar travelling to Toledo, arch-bishop, converted Visigoths to Orthodoxy

Alaric

Visigoth King for the 3rd rebellion, Rome’s rival, this time he invaded and sacked Rome (410 CE)

Vandals

One of a group of Germanic tribes who invaded and destroyed territory in the Roman empire.

Berbers

Semi-nomadic warriors converted to Islam, travel around hypermotivated warriors to conquer for Islam

Theodora

Byzantium Empress who officially ended Iconoclasm in 843 CE to bring peace to the nation

Antonine Consitution

All free Roman men are given full citizenship rights by Caracalla (212 CE)

Apostolic Succession

Bishops argue that the apostles established their legitimacy; bishops given ultimate power/authority over the Church

Battle of Alesia

Vercingetorix vs. Caesar, Vercing gets trapped in the city of Alesia, Romans siege the city, Vercing. Surrender and Gaul’s fall apart

Battle of Pharsalus

(48 BCE) Caesar vs Pompey battle in Greece, Pompey flees and soldiers surrender to Caesar

Battle of the Milvian Bridge

(312 CE) Constantine vs Maxentius in Italy, Constantine wins (convinced because of God), gains control of Western provinces

Byzantines

Self identify as Romans, technically not anymore, more Christian world in city of Byzantium (Eastern Empire)

Chi-Rho

Symbol of early Christianity, symbol comes from God to speak to Constantine

City of God

Important Christian text written by Augustine, argues divine rule surpasses emperors, middle finger for persecuting/blaming Christians

Claudius

Caligula’s Uncle, new capable emperor of Rome, handicapped, manipulated by wives though

Codex Theodosianus

Book of Theodosius, legal collection of relevant laws in Eastern Roman Empire

Corpus Iuris Civilis

legal book of civil law, simplifies and organizes the law, contains past relevant imperial laws (Codex of Justinianus)

Crisis of the Third Century

Fall of the Severans, new crisis century w/ Caracalla as emperor. Bad economy, debased coinage, full citizenship to all free men.

Cult of Mithras

Masculine Persian god converted to Roman, cult of brotherhood, popular among Roman soldiers, social club w/ spiritualness

First Triumvirate

“3 man rule”, arrangement between Crassus + Pompey + Caesar, secret alliance to take over Rome

Five Good Emperors

Begins w/ Nerva, pinnacle of Roman peace and prosperity (96-180 CE)

Gaiseric

King of the Vandals, raiding across Gaul against Romans

Great Persecution

(303-313 CE) Diocletian persecutes Christians, inconsistent and varied across Empire

Heraclius

Talented and ambitious new Roman emperor, wins against Persians and installs peace, defeated in Battle of Yarmouk River (636 CE) against Arabs

Huns

Nomadic military group from modern-day Russa/Ukraine, violent neighbor of Romans, powerful empire in Eastern & Central Europe

Iconoclasm

Movement put by Leo III to destroy the Icons (holy paintings of religious/spiritual figures), believes destroying Icons will let them win war against Arabs

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

(27BCE - 68CE) Merging of two powerful families (Augustus and Tiberius), transition of power

Justinian

(482-565 CE) Roman Emperor, capital city torn apart and Hypatius raised against him during chariot riots

Leo III

Byzantium emperor who started Iconoclasm

Medina

Prophet Muhammad fled to this city during Hijra to seek asylum, marks start of Islamic calendar, religious hub of Islam

Ostrogoths

E. Germanic tribe sent by Zeno under leadership of Theodoric the Great to take back Italy for Rome, they take over and favor Arianism

Paul of Tarsus

Was a Jew (Saul), originally viewed Christianity as bad, converted (became Paul), passionate preacher

Pompey

Served under Sulla during civil wars, Consul 3 times, strong Eastern command (3 man rule w/ Caesar), nicknamed Magnus, marries Caesar’s daughter (Julia), Battle of Pharsalus against Caesar, killed in Egypt

Romanization

Spread of Greco-Roman culture, people who aren’t Roman become Roman and embrace the culture

Sassanid Persians

New aggressive enemy of Rome, defeats them in multiple battles, 4 c. long rivalry

Spartacus

Captured warrior, forced Gladiator for bloodsport, leads freed slave movement in S. Italy

Themata

Primary administrative and defense divisions of the middle Byzantine Empire, self sufficient regions managed under own commander, they all have their own soldiers, food, etc.

Institutions

Added to Corpus of Civil Law by Justinian, manual to train lawyers

Eluveitie: “Alesia” Subject Matter: Caesar’s Conquest of Gaul

Extra Credit