Foundations of Rome: Early History and Governance

These flashcards encompass key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the early history and governance of Rome as covered in the lecture notes.

Pastoralists

Nomadic groups that rely on domesticated livestock to sustain their lifestyle.

Indo-Europeans

A group of people originating in the Eurasian Steppe who spread across Europe and Asia, influential in early European history.

Italics

An ancient Indo-European people who settled in the Italian Peninsula around 1000 BC.

Etruscans

An ancient civilization in Italy known for their unique culture, art, and early civilization before Rome.

Aristocrats

Wealthy landowners who hold a privileged social status in a society.

Patricians

The noble class in ancient Rome, consisting of wealthy landowners who held political power.

Plebeians

The common class of citizens in ancient Rome, primarily farmers and laborers without political power.

Cursus Honorum

The sequential order of public offices held by aspiring politicians in ancient Rome.

Consuls

The highest elected political office in the Roman Republic, functioning as joint heads of state.

Praetors

Judicial officials of the Roman Republic, responsible for administering justice.

Aediles

Officials in the Roman Republic responsible for public buildings and the upkeep of the city.

Quaestors

Financial officials in the Roman Republic who managed public finances and collected taxes.

Tribune

An elected official in the Roman Republic who represented the interests of the plebeians.

Veto

A term meaning 'I forbid'; used by tribunes to block legislation harmful to plebeians.

Paterfamilias

The male head of a household in ancient Rome, holding legal authority over family members.

Roman Republic

The period of ancient Roman civilization characterized by a republican form of government.

Senate

An advisory council in ancient Rome, composed mostly of patricians and former magistrates.

Oligarchs

Wealthy elite individuals in a society who have power but do not necessarily own land.

Law of the Twelve Tables

The earliest attempt by the Romans to create a code of law, inscribing laws on twelve bronze tablets.

Hellenistic Influence

Cultural influence from Greece that affected Roman culture after their expansion into Greek territories.

Carthage

An ancient city in North Africa, a major rival to Rome during the Punic Wars.

Punic Wars

A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 BC to 146 BC.

Hannibal

A Carthaginian general noted for his military tactics during the Second Punic War against Rome.

Magna Graecia

The coastal areas of Southern Italy colonized by Greek settlers, known for their cultural influence.

Empire

A large political structure wherein a single sovereign entity governs multiple territories or peoples.

Reforms

Changes intended to improve a system, especially in government or political structures.

Centralization

The process of consolidating control and power within a central authority.

Social Structure

The organization of social classes within a society, usually based on wealth, power, and privilege.

Civilization

A complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, and cultural advancements.

Ancient Rome

A civilization that began as a small town and expanded to become a dominant empire in the ancient world.

Civic Duty

The responsibilities of a citizen to engage in the governance and civic life of their community.

Slavery

A system in which individuals are owned by others and forced to work without compensation.

Wealth Inequality

The unequal distribution of assets among residents of an economy.

Trade Networks

Systems of exchange that connect different economies, societies, or regions.

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices that define a social group.

Infrastructure

The basic physical systems of a community, including transportation, communication, and sanitation.

Farming Communities

Societies primarily engaged in agriculture for their livelihood.

Dynasty

A line of rulers from the same family or lineage that maintains power over time.

Legislative Authority

The power or right to create laws within a government.

Historiography

The study of historical writing and approaches to recording history.

Civic Representation

The involvement of individuals or groups in governing processes or political decision-making.

Democratic Principles

Core ideas of democracy including equality, participation, and representation of citizens in governance.

Political Structures

Frameworks through which governance and authority are organized in a society.

Cultural Norms

The accepted standards and rules that govern behavior within a society.

Historical Context

The social, political, and economic environment surrounding historical events.

Legacy

Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical influences.