Aeneas
Great Trojan Hero of the Trojan War; brought refugees from Troy to Italy; established the area which would eventually become Rome.
Etruscans
a mysterious group of people north of Rome, known for their artwork and their skill in divining the future; would impact the development of Roman culture, religion, artwork, etc.
Ascanius
son of Aeneas, also goes by Iulus; provided the Julian family (Julius Caesar et al.) with a divine link to their family.
Romulus
the founder of Rome; son of Rhea Silvia and Mars; killed his brother after a dispute about kingship; becomes the first king of Rome
Sabine Women
A group of women from neighboring communities, kidnapped by the Romans; they became the Romans' wives and stopped a war between the Romans and the Sabines.
Titus Tatius
Sabine leader who briefly became co-ruler with Romulus
Numa Pompilius
2nd King of Rome; Religious king
Tullus Hostilius
3rd King of Rome; Warrior King
Horatii and Curiatii
Two set of triplets (one from Rome and one from Alba Longa) fight on behalf of the entire armies. The Roman wins but kills his sister in anger.
Ancus Marcius
4th King (642-617); Builder King; built several structures around the city, including the Aqua Marcia (aqueduct)
Tarquinius Priscus
5th King (616-575); Etruscan King; an eagle stole his hat and put it on his head, his wife Tanaquil foretold that it was an omen.
Servius Tullius
6th King of Rome (575-535); his head was on fire as a child; Tarquinius allegedly named him as heir to the throne
Tarquinius Superbus
7th and Final King (535-509); he and his wife Tulilla overthrow Servius Tullius and he becomes the final king.
Brutus
Friend of the Tarquin Boys, after hearing the Oracle at Delphi, is the first to kiss his mother when he fell to Mother Earth.
Lucretia
wife of Collatinus; Sextus Tarquinius' actions against her causes her to kill herself
Collatinus
Lucretia's husband; with Brutus he was one of the first consuls of the new Roman Republic (509 BC)
Lars Porsenna
King of Clusium; welcomed the deposed King Tarquin and tries to help him regain the throne of Rome.
Horatius Cocles
One man fights the Clusian army and then swims across the Tiber.
Mucius Scaevola
Lefty;" Tried to kill Lars Porsenna, but was captured; burned his hand to show Roman bravery and strength
Cloelia
Roman young woman who was taken as a hostage by Lars Porsenna; escaped and swam back to Rome; Lars Porsenna freed her and all the other hostages.
Secession of the Plebs
494 BCE - The lower class (the Plebeians) make demands of the upper class (the Patricians.) The Senate says no, the Plebians leave and the Patricians make concessions.
Veturia (491 BCE)
One mother turns aside an entire army when she convinces her son, Coriolanus, to give up his attack on his own people.
Cincinnatus (458 BCE)
Retired consul who is named dictator; gets the job done in about a week; gives up his power.
Spurius Maelius (439 BCE)
during a famine, bought grain and sold it at a much lower rate; the Senate thought he was trying to become king and killed him.
Camillus
Great military leader; charged with embezzlement and exiled; probably framed
The Sack of Rome (387 BCE)
Gauls from the north attack the city and sack it; Camillus is contacted and brings an army to defend Rome; after hearing an omen the Romans begin rebuilding the city.
Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BCE)
Macedonian King; first world conquerors of the Ancient World
Appius Claudius Caecus
Censor in 312 BCE - built many important things including the Via Appia (Appian Way) and the Aqua Appia (an aqueduct)
Fabricius
Representative of Rome after the defeat by Pyrrhus (284); He could not be bribed.
1st Punic (Carthaginian) War (264-241)
23 year conflict with Carthage (North Africa); Rome wins, gets Sicily/cash, Carthage is hurt economically
Hannibal
Carthaginian Warlord; brought the 2nd Punic War (218-210) to Rome, fighting on land in Italy. brought elephants over the Alps.
Cato the Elder
Senator who called for the destruction of Carthage; instigated the 3rd Punic War (149-146 BCE)
Cornelia
mother of the Gracchi; her sons were her jewels
Tiberius Gracchus
Tribune of the Plebs; land reformer; tried to limit the amount of land wealthy landowners could own; killed by the senate and thrown in the Tiber.
Gaius Gracchus
Land Reformer; reforms went much further than his brother's, and he committed suicide to avoid being killed. (121 BCE)
Gaius Marius
Novus Homo (New Man (first person in his family be consul)) Roman law was changed to allow him to be consul more than previously allowed. Consul (107, 104, 103, 102, 101, 100, 86 BCE)
Social War
Many allied cities and regions revolt against Rome; Marius and especially Sulla deal with it, and all native Italians are given citizenship.
Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Marius' second-in-command, later, marched on Rome and took over, bringing about senate reforms and proscription lists. (83 BCE)
Spartacus
gladiator leader of the Third Servile War (73-71 BCE)
Cicero
A great orator/ writer/ and politician (consul = 63 BCE)
Catiline
Roman nobleman who lost the consulship to Cicero; tried to overthrow the government.
Crassus
Richest man in Rome; held many properties and controlled the fire department; became a member of the 1st Triumvirate
Pompey The Great
Great General; Caesar's friend/son-in-law/enemy; member of the 1st triumvirate
Julius Caesar
One of the most famous Romans ever/ Great military leader in the Gallic War and the Great Civil War; member of the 1st triumvirate
Cleopatra
The Queen of Egypt; allied and had a relationship with Julius Caesar
Brutus
One of the conspirators who killed Caesar; a friend of Caesar and a descendent of the Brutus who ousted the last king of Rome.
Lepidus
Caesar's 2nd in command; possible successor of Caesar and member of the 2nd Triumvirate
Mark Antony
Great Military Leader; possible successor of Caesar and member of the 2nd Triumvirate
Octavian
Caesar's heir and great nephew; possible successor of Caesar and member of the 2nd Triumvirate