Rome Terms

Etruscans

• People who inhabited early Italy.

Republic

• System of government where officials are chosen by the people.

Patrician

• Member of the land-owning upper class.

Consul

• Official from the patrician class.

• Supervised the government and commanded armies.

• Two consuls served for 1-year terms.

Dictator

• Ruler with complete control over the government.

Plebian

• Member of the class including farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders.

Tribune

• Official elected by plebeians to protect their interests.

Veto

• To block a government action.

Legion

• Basic unit of the ancient Roman army, about 5,000 soldiers.

Imperialism

• Domination by one country over another's political, economic, or cultural life.

Latifundia

• Huge estates bought up by newly wealthy Roman citizens.

Census

• Population count.

Huns

• Nomadic people of central Asia that attacked Rome.

Inflation

• Economic cycle with rapid price increases due to a sharp increase in available money.

Constantine

• First Christian Roman emperor; prevented persecution of Christians.

Constantinople

• Capital of the eastern Roman empire (now Istanbul).

Mercenaries

• Soldiers serving in a foreign army for pay.

Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus

• Brothers and plebeian political reformists.

• Sought to limit the power of the Roman senate.

• Both were assassinated.

Julius Caesar

• Roman general who advocated for reorganization of Rome’s government.

• Became dictator in 47 BC and was assassinated three years later.

Part 2

• Augustus: First Roman emperor who established the Roman Empire following the fall of the Republic.

• Hadrian