Big Ideas of Rome

What does Pax Romana mean?

Peace of Rome

When was the Pax Romana?

27 BCE to 180 CE

What does "civis romanus sum" mean?

"I am a Roman citizen!"

What did the phrase "civis romanus sum" show?

The pride one had in being a citizen

When was the start of the Roman Empire?

27 BCE

When was the height of the Roman Empire?

117 CE

When did Diocletian split the Roman Empire?

285 CE

When was the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

476 CE

When was the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire?

1453 CE

Which 3 continents did Roman lands spread across?

Asia, Africa, Europe

What is the importance of the Mediterranean Sea to the Roman Emipre?

It was surrounded by the Roman territories, allowing for fast transportation of troops, supplies, and communication. It was a food source, but had salt water, so it's not a source for drinking water or agriculture. It is also a protective barrier.

When was Augustus born?

September 23, 63 BCE

When did Augustus die?

August 19, 14 CE

What did Augustus do?

Transitioned the Republic into an empire; established the powers of the emperor; ruled for 40-41 years

What were the powers of the emperor?

Declare war, raise taxes, punish lawbreakers, nominate public officials, influence meetings of the Senate, and lead religious festivals

What were the 12 Tables of Law?

The Roman laws, written down and put on public display in the Forum and meant to deliver equal treatment under the law

What are the duties of Roman citizenship?

Pay taxes, follow the law, serve in the military if male

What are the benefits of Roman citizenship?

Protection of the laws, free access to entertainment, ability to marry, enter legal contracts, own property if male, serve the government

Who were patricians in the Roman socioeconomic hierarchy?

The wealthy upper class that made up 20% of the population. They were landowners who lived in the free standing homes (domus) and filled leadership positions in the government

Which classes of people were considered patricians?

The emperor, senators, and equestrians (high-ranking military officials)

Who were plebians in the Roman socioeconomic hierarchy?

The working-class citizens who lived in crowded and dangerous multi-story buildings (insula). They had fewer rights, little to no representation in the government, and made up 80% of the population

Which classes of people were considered plebians?

Commons, free people, and slaves

How were women's privileges decided?

The status of the men in her life; first her father's status, and then her husband's

What is a domus?

A large, free standing home that patricians lived in

What is an insula?

A crowded and dangerous multi-story building that plebians lived in

Why were Roman roads built?

By the military for military use

What did Roman roads allow for?

Quick transportation of troops, supplies, weapons, and communication

What did Roman roads consist of?

29 super highways and 372 great roads that connected the 113 provinces and marked by curbs, gutters, and mile markers

What were Roman aqueducts?

Channels used to transport fresh water to highly populated areas using gravity and slope

How did Roman aqueducts work?

They spanned valleys using arched bridges and had settling tanks that removed impurities

Where did Roman aqueducts' water go?

Fountains, bath houses, and the homes of the wealthy; however, pipes were lined with lead, causing illness

How did Roman military organization work?

It was a mandatory duty of citizenship - 25 years of military service for all males

How was the Roman military organization structured?

It was organized in formations of legions, cohorts, and centuries to get on and off the battlefield

What did the Roman military use in battle?

Strategy and organization

What did Roman domes do?

Allowed for large interior space with improved acoustics; grand appearance

Where did Roman domes come from?

Borrowed from the Greeks but made bigger because of lightweight cement created by Pozzolanic ash

How many Roman domes were there?

58 domes in 44 buildings within Rome before the end of the empire (476 CE)

What is the Roman definition of a barbarian?

A person from a foreign land, culture, or group, seen by the Romans to be rude, crude, uneducated, uncivilized, and violent; they attacked the Roman borders

What were Roman chariot races?

A dangerous sport in which 4 horses pulled a lightweight cart around the track 7 times

How were Roman chariot races structured?

They were held in the Circus Maximus in Rome and in the Hippodrome in Constantinople. Teams were called the Demes and were identified by color: blues, greens, reds, and whites

What is special about the Blue and Green Demes of the Roman chariot races?

They began the Nika revolt in Constantinople