Rome- Taylor Honors

What river was Rome located on, and why was it significant?

Rome was located on the Tiber River, providing access to water and trade.

Who were Romulus and Remus?

Mythical twin brothers raised by a she-wolf; Romulus killed Remus and founded Rome.

What civilization heavily influenced early Rome?

The Etruscans influenced early Rome through engineering, roads, and urban planning.

What were the three main governing bodies of the Roman Republic?

Centurion Assembly, Assembly of Tribes (Plebeians), and Senate.

What roles did praetors, consuls, and tribunes play in the Roman Republic?

Praetors were judges, consuls were two top elected leaders overseeing military and civil matters, and tribunes protected the rights of Plebeians.

What significant event marked the start of the Roman Republic?

The establishment of the Republic in 509 BC.

What event led Rome to evolve from a small city state?

dominating the Italian Peninsula

What is imperium power?

The absolute authority to command troops and enforce laws, often held by consuls or emperors.

What were the differences between Plebeians and Patricians?

Plebeians were common citizens, while Patricians were wealthy aristocrats.

What did the plebian and patrician conflict lead to?

Struggle of the Orders

What did the Struggle of the Orders result in?

more rights for Plebians including intermarriage and holding office

What were the Punic Wars, and what was their outcome?

Three wars (264-146 BC) between Rome and Carthage, ending with Rome's victory and destruction of Carthage.

What did Carthage and Rome fight over?

Sicily; Rome wins

Battle of Zama

Zama (202 BC): Roman general Scipio defeats Hannibal; ending second Punic War

Who was Hannibal, and what was his significance?

A famous Carthaginian general who led troops over the Alps into Italy during the Second Punic War.

What were the Battles of Cannae?

Cannae (216 BC): Hannibal's greatest victory; massive Roman loss

How did the Romans govern conquered lands?

They created provinces with governors, allowing local autonomy while collecting taxes and soldiers.

What were latifundias, and how did they affect Roman society?

Massive estates worked by slaves, contributing to economic inequality and urban poverty.

Who were Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus?

Reformers who tried to limit land ownership by the elite and give land to the poor, both were murdered.

What was the 1st Triumvirate?

An alliance of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus; ended with Caesar defeating Pompey and becoming dictator for life.

What reforms did Julius Caesar implement?

Julian calendar, expanded Senate, citizenship grants, public works, debt relief, and land for the poor.

What was the outcome of the 2nd Triumvirate?

Alliance of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus to defeat Caesar's assassins, leading to civil war.

What led to the rise of Augustus as the first Roman Emperor?

Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, becoming Augustus.

Cleopatra

Egyptian queen; had relationships with Julius Caesar (mother of his child) and Mark Antony. Committed suicide with Antony after defeat by Octavian.

Augustus

Formerly Octavian; first Roman Emperor. Led during Pax Romana, initiated reforms, and created a stable government.

What was the Pax Romana?

A period of 'Roman Peace' (27 BC - 180 AD) characterized by strong emperors, stable economy, trade, Romanization; ended with Commodus' assassination

Praetorian Guard

Elite bodyguards for Roman emperors, later became politically powerful.

equestrians

Wealthy citizens who served as cavalrymen; rose in influence under the Empire.

Who were the Julio-Claudians?

A dynasty starting with Augustus, including Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero; shifted Rome further from a republic to empire

What were the 'Good Emperors' known for?

A period of stable rule including Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius, known for good governance.

Trajan

expanded empire, rebuilt forum

Hadrian

built Hadrian's Wall, strengthened borders, build Pantheon

What was the significance of Cicero in Roman history?

A Roman orator and philosopher known for defending the Republic and influencing modern law and rhetoric

Vergil

Wrote the Aeneid, Roman epic connecting Rome to Troy

Ovid

Poet famous for Metamorphoses and writing about love and mythology

Livy

Roman historian who chronicled Rome’s early history to promote patriotism and values

What was the Twelve Tables?

The first written Roman laws established by Plebeians.

natural law

Universal principles (e.g., innocent until proven guilty) that influence modern Western law

What percent of Romans were slaves

25-40%

Who led a major slave revolt, defeated Roman armies twice before being killed?

Spartacus

insulae

Poor-quality multi-story apartments where most Romans lived. Prone to fires and collapse

What was the role of the Paterfamilias in Roman society?

The male head of the household, controlling marriage, education, and family decisions.

What were the main amusements of Roman times?

gladiator fights, animal battles, chariot races, and festivals

What were amusements used to do?

entertain and control the population

What was the Edict of Milan?

Issued by Constantine, it made Christianity legal in the Roman Empire, ending persecution.

Constantine

Moved capital to Constantinople, made Christianity legal (Edict of Milan), increased central control and bureaucracy

Odacer

a Germanic leader, overthrew Romulus Augustulus in 476 AD, marking the fall of the Western Roman Empire

Who was Paul in the context of early Christianity?

Known for spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and promoting its universal appeal.

How was Christianity different and why did it suceed?

Christianity appealed to all people regardless of social class and promised eternal life. It succeeded because of its broad appeal, hope and salvation to the masses, and a strong sense of community and charity.

What event marked the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

Odoacer overthrew Romulus Augustulus in 476 AD.

Rome's culture was a blend of:

Latin, Etruscan, and Greek influences

Rome's abusive Etruscan king led to the establishment of the Roman ________.

Republic

Centurion Assembly

elected officials and generals

Assembly of Tribes (Plebians)

elected tribunes to protect commoners

Senate

Wealthy elite who eventually dominated politics

what caused the republic to end

Military loyalty shifted to generals, not Rome. Political violence, economic inequality, and ambition (e.g., Julius Caesar) undermined the Republic.

Marius

changed army into a volunteer force, causing soldiers to be loyal to generals

Sulla

Seized power, became dictator, later returned power to the Senate, but set the precedent for future takeovers.