Ancient Rome Study Guide
Augustine
Bishop of Hippo
Octavian
First Emperor of Rome
A.K.A. Augustus
Reformed and streamlined the gov’t
Civil law
Private laws that are applied to citizens of the Roman Republic
Dictator
Ruler with complete control of the government
6 months
Cincinnatus
Heresy
Belief against the church
Imperialism
Control of foreign lands by another country
Latifunda
Huge farming estate, Ranch
Legion
Division of the Roman military that consisted of approximately 5000 men
Mercenaries
Hired soldiers
Patriarch
The Head Pope!!!!
-typically in Rome!!!!
Patrician
“Rich people” – upper class
Paul
Given credit for the spread of Christianity
Plebeian
“The poor” – lower class
Ptolemy
Astronomer/mathematician who proposed the Earth-centered theory
Virgil
poet
Wrote Aeneid.
What were the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth?
Teachings were based on Jewish traditions.
Teachings: 10 Commandments, Old Testament Prophecies
Compare and Contrast the Roman senate during the Republic and the Empire.
Republic: chose dictator, patrician, passed laws
Empire: advisors, mediators, court
What impact has Ancient Rome had on you? Use political, social, and economic examples of Ancient Rome and the United States to support your answer.
Politically: rights of accused people, innocent until proven guilty, judges interpret the laws, penalties depend on social class
Socially:
Women can own a business
Women are incorporated.
Educationally:
Women are in school!!!!!
Economically:
We use their ideas of inflation control and slavery.
How did the expansion of the Roman republic affect Roman farmers? What effect did this have on the Roman republic?
Roman farmers had to have slaves for production which reduces innovation and progression.
Why did most conquered people remain loyal to Rome?
They were taken care of, given citizenship, aided with trade, given roads to travel, and given protection.
Describe the two systems of law that developed under the Roman republic and how they changed. Why was the rule of law important during the Roman empire?
civil Law
System of laws that governed the citizens of the Roman Republic. This caused a problem later when the empire had foreign subjects who were not protected because they were not citizens. This created the Law of Nations that placed all people under the law with protection.
What was the Roman society like?
Women were allowed to participate in everything except politics. They were educated and men were the head of the household. Religion was polytheistic and based on the Greek religion.
Why was religious tolerance allowed with the Jews?
To prevent Jews from going against their religion or revolting.
Who was Diocletian? What was his focus and what were his strategies for accomplishing his goals?
Emperor who split the empire to try to ‘save’ it from failing.
Fixed Prices, required farmers to stay on their land, and required sons to do the same job as their fathers.
How did geography influence the development of Roman civilization compared to Greek civilization?
Latins settled on rolling hills which allowed them to establish a unified civilization. The Greeks on the other hand had mountains that created separate city-states that lacked unity.
Who was Julius Caesar? Why was he assassinated?
The last dictator of the Roman Republic who conquered Gaul and was made dictator for life. He was assassinated because the senators believed he was trying to make himself king with complete power.
Why were people all of a sudden flocking into the Roman empire during the late 300s?
Prosperity and religious freedom. War in Asia. Invading Huns.
Ancient Roman religions comes from who?
Greek and Etruscan religions
Who did Rome fight in the Punic Wars? Summarize the three wars.
Rome vs. Carthaginians
1st Punic War - Rome defeats Carthage and wins the islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia
2nd Punic War - Hannibal marches all around through the Pyrenees and Alps and loses 1/3 of Army, but sweeps across Italy
Never captures Rome
Rome outflanks by sending an army to Carthage
3rd Punic War - Rome destroys Carthage
Kill everyone
Sell survivors into slavery
Pour salt all over
What was the focus of Roman Architecture?
Grandeur and Beauty
What did Augustus use the census for?
Develop fair tax base.
What are the two major contributions of Constantine?
Religious Freedom
Moving the Capital.
What was the importance of the Laws of the Twelve Tables?
It allowed protest of the laws because they were known.
Why was engineering so important to the Romans?
Rome was built on a swamp and they needed fresh water.
Describe Roman architecture and explain what made it unique.
To a large degree, Romans used Greek models for their architecture. However, they developed their own unique style and building techniques. Where Greeks aimed for simple elegance, the Romans emphasized grandeur. They built immense palaces, temples, and stadiums as monuments to their power. Romans improved upon existing structural devices such as columns and arches. Using concrete, they developed the rounded dome in buildings such as the Pantheon. Using their expertise in engineering, they built many structures such as aqueducts and bridges that lasted long after the fall of the empire.