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VOCABULARY

Patricians

Wealthy upper-class Romans who held most political power.

Plebeians

Common Roman citizens; fought for political rights.

Latins

Early Indo-European settlers in the region of Rome.

Etruscans

Early Italian civilization that ruled Rome before the Republic; influenced writing and architecture.

Twelve Tables

Rome’s first written code of laws that protected plebeian rights.

Senate

Aristocratic legislative branch of Rome; members served for life.

Consul

One of two elected leaders who commanded the army and government for one-year terms.

Dictator

Leader given complete control temporarily during emergencies; ruled up to 6 months.

Triumvirate

Political rule shared by three leaders.

Octavian

Leader who became Rome’s first emperor; took the title Augustus.

Augustus

Title meaning “exalted one”; name Octavian took when he became emperor.

Marc Antony

Roman general and ally of Octavian; defeated in civil war; partner of Cleopatra.

Cleopatra

Egyptian queen; ally of Marc Antony against Octavian.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who invaded Italy during the Second Punic War; crossed Alps with elephants.

Jupiter

King of Roman gods; equivalent to Zeus.

Minerva

Roman goddess of wisdom; equivalent to Athena.

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ROMAN REPUBLIC + PUNIC WARS FACTS

When did the Roman Republic begin?

509 BCE, when Romans overthrew Etruscan kings.

Who controlled the army in the Roman Republic?

Two consuls.

How long was a consul’s term?

One year.

Why did plebeians demand the Twelve Tables?

To prevent patricians changing laws unfairly and protect legal rights.

Who could be Roman citizens?

Free adult males, freed slaves, and soldiers after service.

Responsibilities of Roman citizenship

Pay taxes + serve in the military.

How did people become slaves in Rome?

Capture in war, debt, or birth.

Who chose senators in early Rome?

Patricians / wealthy elite families.

How long could a dictator rule?

Six months.

Years of military service required for office

Ten years.

Roman social classes (most to least powerful)

Patricians → Plebeians → Freedmen → Slaves.

Government where people vote directly

Direct democracy.

Government where people elect representatives

Republic / Representative democracy.

Who fought the Punic Wars?

Rome vs Carthage.

Main cause of the Punic Wars

Control of Mediterranean trade.

Cause of the First Punic War