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.