ROME REVIEW

aqueduct / A structure that carries water over long distances
disciple / A follower of a person or belief
patrician / A wealthy, upper-class person
veto / The Latin word for “forbid”
consul / One of two officials who led the RomanRepublic
inflation / An economic situation in which there is more money of less value
plebian / An ordinary citizen in Ancient Rome
republic / Form of government Ancient Rome had in which citizens voted for their leader
dictator / A ruler having absolute control
mercenary / A foreign soldier who serves only for pay
province / A unit of an empire
democracy / Form of government in which citizens govern themselves

Geography

  • Legend states Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus
  • Rome is important because its position is central to Italy and the known Western World
  • Italy is a peninsula shaped like a boot
  • Has plenty of water
  • Fertile soil
  • Less mountainous than Rome
  • Located 7 miles up the TiberRiver

Roman Citizens/Government/Economics

  • Because of slavery, most of the Roman citizens were unemployed – to keep them happy, governors gave them free food and entertainment (Bread and Circus policy)
  • Only men could be citizens
  • A long history of differences between the rich and the poor
  • Unemployment and inflation caused economic problems, led to loss of power in Roman Empire
  • Government during the Republic was led by two men – consuls – power was divided equally among them
  • If consuls disagreed on how to handle an emergency, a dictator could be appointed
  • At first only patricians could hold a political office
  • First code of laws – Twelve Tables
  • Republic was formed after Romans overthrew the Etruscans
  • Conquered people – as long as they lived peacefully and paid taxes they were left alone
  • Our legal system today is based on Roman ideas of justice

Roman Rulers

  • Punic Wars were fought against Carthage
  • Julius Caesar – able to gain control over Rome after he was victorious over Pompey, was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C.
  • Augustus (also named Octavian) – given all the power he wanted because he brought peace to Rome which lasted over 200 years
  • Constantine – made Christianity the official Roman religion
  • Hadrian – built a wall for defense in England

Essay Question: Below you will find the exact essay question for the test. I highly suggest you organize your ideas and practice what you are going to say.

The saying, “All roads lead to Rome” is an interesting one. It showed just how huge and powerful the Roman Empire had become and yet like all cultures we have studied this year, Rome eventually fell. Discuss in detail:

  1. 2 causes for the fall of the Roman Empire.
  2. What ultimately happened to each half of the empire.

WHAT TO STUDY

  1. Rome packet
  2. All quizzes
  3. Review sheet
  4. Review the main ideas from JAT p.263-334