polytheism
The belief in or worship of many gods and goddesses.
Patrician
A wealthy, land-holding, upper-class, group of powerful Romans, that made up the Senate in Rome.
Plebeian
The common, regular people of Rome. They were the farmers, artisans, and merchants who had little wealth or power. They elected tribunes to represent them in government.
Senate
The governing "body" of Rome. Made up of 300 members from the upper-class Patricians. They interpreted the laws and were the most powerful.
Consuls
The two officials (people) that were elected by the Senate. One manages the government, while the other one commands the army.
Tribunes
The people who represented the Plebians (common people) in government. They had "veto" power.
veto
The power to stop a law from passing.
dictator
A ruler with total control over the peopld. Example: Julius Caesar.
triumvirate
It is a government by 3 (tri) people with equal power.
caesar
The title given to a Roman ruler.
Julius Caesar
He was made dictator (absolute ruler) in 45 BC. He realized Rome needed reforms, so he gave land to the poor and increased the Senate to 900 members. By increasing the Senate, he weakened the power of it. He was assassinated by some senators 44 BC.
The Ides of March
The day Julius Caesar was assassinated, March 15th. "Beware, the Ides of March". The word "ides" means the 15th day of March, May, July, or October and the 13th day of every other month. They believe the word is an Etruscan word....interesting, right?
emperor
The ruler of an empire.
gladiator
A prisoner, criminal, or slave who served as a professional fighter in Rome. The most famous place they fought at, was the Colosseum.
catacomb
An underground room used as a burial place.
disciple
A follower.
persecute
To punish people for their beliefs.
Pope
The leader of the Roman Catholic church.
synagogue
A Jewish place of worship; a temple.
pillage
To rob.
vandal
Someone who destroys (vandalizes) property.
Tiber River
The river where Rome was founded.
The Latins
They lived in a region of Latium, spoke Latin, were herders and farmers. They were soon taken over by the Etruscans.
The Greeks
This group settled in southern Italy and Sicily. They influenced the peoples of Rome. They passed things to the Romans such as knowledge of growing olives and grapes, the alphabet, sculpture and architecture. Culture diffusion!
The Etruscans
Lived in the northern part of Rome, and soon controlled it by 650 BC. They turned Rome into a huge city. They introduced the toga and the Roman army borrowed their military organization.
peninsula
Land surrounded by water on three sides.
Mediterranean Sea
Large body of water that touches borders of northern Africa, Europe, & Asia Minor.
Republic
A government where some citizens have the right to vote.
Punic Wars
A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage (264-146 B.C.); resulted in the destruction of Carthage and Rome's dominance over the western Mediterranean.
Hannibal
Carthaginian military commander who, in the Second Punic War, attempted a surprise attack on Rome, crossing the Alps with a large group of soldiers, horses, and elephants.
The Alps
The mountain range in northern Italy. They run E to W and W to E.
The Appennines
The mountain range running down through Italy. They run N to S and S to N.
Pax Romana
200 year period of peace in Rome. Roman Peace. There were 5 important rulers during this time (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius).
paterfamilias
The head of the family or household in Roman law -always male- and the only member to have full legal rights. This person had absolute power over his family, which extended to life and death.
Twelve Tables
The earliest written collection of Roman laws, drawn up by patricians. These twelve codes became the foundation of Roman law. The laws talked about property, crime, family, theft, marriage and inheritance. They were engraved on tablets of metal and put on
Constantine
Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)
barbarians
A word that Romans used to refer to anyone outside the empire who did not share in the Greek or Roman cultures. Some barbarian tribes were the Vandals, the Visogoths, the Ostrogoths, the Huns.