Introduction to Roman History and Literature

This set covers the span of Roman history from its mythological origins and the Regal Period through the Republic, the Punic Wars, the rise of the Empire under Augustus, and the literary shifts of the Silver Age.

City of the Seven Hills

A nickname for Rome referring to its natural fortifications via geographical hills.

Regal Period

The era of Roman history spanning from the foundation in 753 BC to 509 BC.

Latium

The region in Italy where Rome was located and the source of the Latin language.

Aeneas

A Trojan hero and son of Venus who is the symbol of pietas and a mythical founder linked to Roman antiquity and Greek civilization.

Augury

A method of bird omens used to interpret the will of the gods, notably used by Romulus and Remus to decide who would rule Rome.

Pomerium

The 'sacred boundary' of the city of Rome established by its first king, Romulus.

Numa Pompilius

The second king of Rome, a Sabine known for justice, religious piety, and the invention of Rome's religious institutions and calendar reform.

Tullus Hostilius

The third king of Rome who was belligerent toward the gods, destroyed Alba Longa, and built the Curia Hostilia (Senate house).

Servius Tullius

The sixth king of Rome, originally born a slave, who implemented the first census and the Servian Constitution based on wealth.

Lucretia

A noblewoman whose rape by Sextus Tarquinius and subsequent suicide sparked the political unrest that ended the Roman monarchy in 509 BC.

SPQR

An abbreviation for 'Senatus Populusque Romanus', meaning 'the Senate and People of Rome.'

Cursus Honorum

The 'course of honours', representing the sequential order of public offices held by aspiring politicians in the Roman Republic.

Consuls

The two highest elected regular officials of the Roman Republic who held military imperium and presided over the Senate.

Tribune of the Plebs

A magistrate created to protect plebeians, granted sacrosanctity, legislative power, and the right to veto.

Twelve Tables

The foundational code of Roman law produced in 450 BC to make laws public and accessible to all.

Virtus

A Roman virtue associated with manliness, courage, military achievements, and self-image among the elite.

Battle of Allia

A 390 BC conflict where Gauls (Celts) defeated Romans, leading to a seven-month sack of the city and lasting 'collective trauma.'

Punic

Derived from the Latin word 'punicus', meaning Phoenician or Carthaginian.

Battle of Zama

The decisive 202 BC battle where Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal, ending the Second Punic War.

Latifundia

Large agricultural plantations owned by wealthy nobles and worked by slave labor, which displaced small farmers.

Lex Sempronia Agraria

A land reform law introduced by Tiberius Gracchus to distribute public land to landless citizens.

Senatus Consultum Ultimum

The 'ultimate decree of the Senate' passed in 121 BC to authorize the use of force, leading to the assassination of Gaius Gracchus.

Marians

The political faction allied with Gaius Marius, who fought Lucius Cornelius Sulla during the first civil war.

Proscriptions

Lists of public enemies published by Sulla, offering bounties for their lives and resulting in the seizure of their property.

First Triumvirate

An informal political alliance formed in 60 BC between Pompey the Great, Marcus Licinius Crassus, and Julius Caesar.

The Ides of March

The date, March 15, 44 BC, on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Senate house.

Livius Andronicus

A Greek-born slave from Tarentum who is credited with the birth of Latin literature in 240 BC by translating Greek epics and dramas.

Dactylic Hexameter

The standard meter for Latin epic poetry, first introduced to Roman literature by Ennius in his 'Annales.'

Second Triumvirate

A formal commission for the reconstruction of the state formed in 43 BC by Mark Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus.

Princeps

A title taken by Augustus meaning 'first citizen', used to signify his authority while appearing to restore the Republic.

Pax Romana

A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire, also known as the Pax Augusta.

Ara Pacis

The Altar of Augustan Peace, a monument celebrating the peace, piety, and legitimacy of the Augustan regime.

Pudicitia

The key Roman virtue of modesty and chastity expected of an ideal woman, exemplified in cultural memory by Lucretia and Livia Drusilla.

Paterfamilias

The eldest male head of a Roman household who possessed 'patria potestas' (power of life and death) over all family members.

Praetorian Guard

An elite unit of bodyguards established by Augustus to protect the emperor, characterized by higher pay and 16 years of service.

Silver Latin

The post-classical period of Latin literature (AD 14–138) known for darker themes, rhetorical complexity, and influencers like Seneca and Lucan.

Vestal Virgins

Priest college associated with Vesta, tasked with maintaining the sacred fire and ensuring its eternal flame.

Hannibal

Crossed the Alps with his army and elephants during the second punic war

The Aeneid

Fate plays a significant role in this poem of Virgil

Romulus and Remus

Famous fratricide in Roman culture

Triumph

All roman generals aspired for this

Seneca the Younger

Famous philosopher of the Neronian period

Julius Caesar

Was declared dictator perpetuo

Pompey

His was the first permanent theatre to be build in Rome

Janus

Roman God usually depicted with two faces

The Social War

fought between Rome and her Italian allies

Rubicon

Crossed by Caesar, initiating the second civil war against Pompey by defying the Senate. Formed the boundary between Gaul and Italy, ultimately caused the fall of the Roman Republic and allowed Caesar to become dictator

Temple of Mars Ultor

Completed by Augustus and was crucial for validating his authority by acting as a religious reprository for foreign trophies and a symbolic center for military power. Framed Caesar’s assassins as divine vengeance, legitimizing Augustus’ rule

The Gracchi Brothers

Pivotal for initiating social reforms to support the poor; which inadvertently fractured the Republic. By bypassing the Senate, utilizing the Triubune office to pass land reforms, and using violence to settle political disputes, they established the popularis tradition and marked the decline of the roman republic

Actium

Ended decades of civil war by establishing Octavian (Augustus) as the sole ruler, marking the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. The decisive naval battle led to the suicides of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra

Imperial Cult

Bridged the gap between divine authority and imperial rule, acting as a unifying force across a diverse empire. Began with the deification of Julius Caesar.

Tiberius

Second emperor of Rome, adopted by augustus, frugal, emperor at 55, died of natural causes/assassinated

Caligula

Third emperor of Rome, Son of Germanicus and Agrippina, The first “proper” Julio-Claudian, “Little Boots”, Became emperor when he was 24 years old, Six months into his reign he becomes severely ill Assassinated by the proctarian guard

Claudius

4th emperor of Rome, Son of Tiberius’ younger brother, Drusus - brother of Germanicus, Became emperor when he was 50 years old, Physical disabilities, adopted of Nero

Nero

5th roman emperor at the age of 16, murdered agrippina, great fire of rome