BJU World History: Chapter 4 Roman Republic

Mare Nostrum

Roman nickname for the Mediterranean Sea

Etruscans

One of Italy's earliest civilizations; lived in northern Italy and contributed to the development of Roman culture

League of the Seven Hills

League of seven villages on the banks of the Tiber river; the beginning of the city of Rome

Romulus and Remus

two twins who according to legend founded the city of Rome in 753 BC

clan

a number of families from a common ancestor

pater

the father in the Roman family; exercised sole authority in the family

tribe

a number of clans united by common beliefs and living in a particular region

patricians

the aristocratic class in Rome made up of wealthy landowners and noble families

plebeians

the common class in Rome made up of farmers, traders, and craftsmen

fasces

a small bundle of rods which enclosed an axe; symbol of the imperium

509 BC

date when the Etruscan king was overthrown and the Roman Republic was formed by the Latins

republic

form of government in which voting citizens exercise power through elected officials under law

consuls

annually elected leaders of the Roman Republic who held the imperium

Senate

The most important and most powerful body of the Roman Republic

plebiscites

resolutions of the Council of Plebeians

tribune

ten men, elected by the Council of Plebeians, who protected the rights and interests of the common people

Veto!

A way for tribunes to stop unjust acts of patrician officials

Roman Forum

the center of Roman government

Law of Twelve Tribes

Foundation of Roman civil law; the first written law code in Rome; hung in the Roman Forum

287 BC

Tribal Assembly (plebeian assembly) gained the power to pass laws that were binding on all the people of Rome

Tribal Assembly

another name for the plebeian assembly in Rome

Pyrrhus

an ancient Greek king famous for military successes gained at too great a cost in lives and treasure on both sides

Punic Wars

Three wars between Carthage and Rome

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.

Battle of Cannae

Hannibal encircled Romans; beat force at least three times bigger than his own; greatest victory

Scipio

Roman general who commanded the invasion of Carthage in the second Punic War and defeated Hannibal at Zama

publicans

tax collector for the Roman Republic in the provinces

Tiberius Gracchus

championed the cause of the poor, tried to reform Rome's land policy to be more fair for the poor

Gaius Gracchus

tried to carry on the reforms his brother had tried, also tried to lower grain prices for the poor

Marius

after the Gracchi brothers, he championed the cause of the poor, reorganized the military, allowing the poor and landless to enlist, paying the soldiers a share of the spoils of war - created a "professional army", serving for financial gain more than pat

Sulla

general appointed by the Senate when war broke out in Asia Minor in 88 BC. Fought for Senate against Marius and the Tribal Assembly in the First Roman civil war. Declared himself dictator and reorganized Roman government to all but eliminate the power of

Crassus

one of the richest men in Rome, famous for defeat of a slave revolt, ruled with Pompey and Julius Caesar in a triumvirate

Pompey

surpassed Crassus in glory, great military conquests for Rome in Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine, rid the Mediterranean of pirates, ruled with Crassus and Julius Caesar in a triumvirate

Julius Caesar

nephew of Marius, undertook ambitious projects to win the public favor, knew how to sway the common people to support his cause, conquered Gaul and Britain, returned to Rome and defeated Pompey and the Senate becoming sole ruler of Rome (dictator)

triumvirate

rule of three men

March 15, 44 BC

Ides of March, day when Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of conspiring members of the Senate

31 BC

Battle of Actium - when Octavian's navy won a decisive victory over Antony and Cleopatra and he became Rome imperator - the beginning of the Roman Empire

imperator

an ancient title given to the commander of a victorious army; head of the Roman Empire

imperium

The king's authority in Rome.

Cato

A Roman senator who tried to arouse the Roman people to take action against the Carthaginians by always saying, "but I declare that Carthage must be destroyed.

Mark Anthony

Caesar's friend and right-hand man who teamed with Octavian to capture and punish Caesar's murderers. They divided the Roman territory in half. Anthony fell for Cleopatra (queen of Egypt) and ruled the east. He lost to Octavian's navy in Battle of Actium.

Octavian

Caesar's nephew and only male relative who ruled the west part of Roman territory. He became the sole ruler of Rome after a victory at the Battle of Actium at age 31.