CULTURA LATINA: Origins and History of Rome

Vocabulary flashcards covering Roman history from its legendary founding in 753 BC through the expansion of the Republic to the rise of the Empire.

Latium

The region in central Italy, situated along the Tiber river, where Rome was founded.

April 21, 753 BC

The traditional date for the foundation of Rome by the twins Romulus and Remus.

Palatine

The hill preferred by Romulus for the city's location where he reportedly saw twelve birds.

Pomerium

A circular foso (trench) traced with a plow that delimited the sacred space of the new city.

Fratricide

The murder of a brother by another, which for Rome marked a history of internal violence and civil wars.

Tarpeia

A young Roman woman who betrayed Rome to the Sabines and was crushed by their shields as punishment.

Tarpeian Rock

A precipice on the Capitol from which traitors to the homeland were thrown.

Etruscans

A highly developed people from northern Italy (modern Tuscany) who significantly influenced Roman culture.

Numa Pompilio

The second king and founder of Roman religion who established ceremonies and the sacred calendar.

Temple of Janus

A religious building that remained closed throughout Numa Pompilio's peaceful reign.

Tulio Hostilio

A warrior king who organized Rome's military and conquered Alba Longa.

Ostia

The port built by Anco Marcio that provided Rome with direct access to the sea and trade.

Cloaca Maxima

The great Roman sewage system constructed by the first Etruscan king, Tarquinio Prisco.

Servio Tulio

The king who built the Servian Wall and reorganized society based on wealth rather than residence.

Annona

The free distribution of wheat implemented by the tyrant king Tarquinio el Soberbio.

Lucretia

A Roman woman whose suicide, following her violation by the king's son, triggered the expulsion of the monarchy.

$$509 BC$$

The year in which the Roman Republic began following the expulsion of the family of Tarquinio.

Consuls

Two leaders elected annually to handle government and military command with mutual veto power.

SPQR

An abbreviation for Senatus Populusque Romanus, symbolizing the union of the Senate and the Roman People.

Secession of the Aventine

An event in $494 BC$ where the plebeians abandoned the city to demand political rights from the patricians.

Tribune of the Plebs

A magistracy created to defend plebeian interests with the power to veto Senate decisions; they were considered sacred.

Law of the XII Tables

The first written law of Rome, created in $451 BC$ to prevent arbitrary judicial decisions by patricians.

Foedus Cassianum

A peace pact imposed by Rome on neighboring Latin cities declaring peace for as long as heaven and earth remained same.

Rostra

The prows of captured enemy ships used to decorate the Roman Forum after the battle of Antium.

Caudine Forks

A site of military humiliation where the Roman army was forced to pass under a yoke of spears by the Samnites.

Corvus

A bridge with hooks used by Romans to transform naval combat into land combat during the First Punic War.

Hannibal

The Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps with war elephants to threaten Rome during the Second Punic War.

Delenda est Carthago

Senator Cato's recurring phrase meaning 'Carthage must be destroyed'.

The Gracchi Brothers

Tiberius and Cayo Graco, politicians who defended agrarian reform and were eventually assassinated.

$$27 BC$$

The year Augusto defeated his enemies and became the first Roman emperor, marking the start of the Empire.