Study Guide: Ancient Rome
THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
1. What were the important geographic features of ancient Rome that shaped where people lived and what they were able to grow on the land ?
2. What is the story of Romulus and Remus, and why is it important to the history of Rome ?
3. What were the early forms of government of the republic of ancient Rome ?
Early Republic: -
4. What were the social classes of the early Republic and how were the lives of the people in each class different from each other ?
5. What was the organization of the reformed government of the Roman Republic ?
6. What was the importance of the Roman Forum ?
7. How was the Roman Republic able to gain control of the entire peninsula ?
8. What farming and trade developed during the late Republic ?
9. What were the key effects and results of the Punic Wars in the late Roman Republic ?
10. What were some problems the late Roman Republic faced, and who became leaders during the crises ?
TRANSITION FORM ROMAN REPUBLIC TO ROMAN EMPIPRE
11. What problems did the Republic face, and what did Cicero try to do to improve the Republic ?
12. What is the story of the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and his role in the Roman Republic’s history ?
13. What were the reasons the Roman Republic fell ?
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14. How did Augustus gain power and move the Roman Republic into the era of the Roman Empire ?
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ROMAN EMPIRE
15. Where did the empire expand and why ?
16. Who were the emperors during the Pax Romana and what were their contributions ?
17. What characterized the Pax Romana ?
18. What items were traded through the Roman Empire ?
19. What caused the fall of the Roman Empire ?
20. What are some of the Roman Empire’s legacies in:
Science
Engineering –
Architecture –
Art -
Literature –
Language –
Military –
21. How is the legacy of Roman law seen in the world today ?
RELIGION IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE
22. What religions were practiced in the Roman Empire ?
23. What was progression of conflict between the political leaders of the Roman Republic and Jews ?
24. What were the roots of Christianity ?
25. What were the key events to the life of Jesus ?
26. What was the message of Jesus and who were his followers?
27. How did Christianity develop in Rome ?
A. Aenas – Legend says he became ruler of in Italy
B. Romulus and Remus – Brothers who legend describes the founding of Rome
C. Republic – government where people elect leaders
D. Cincinnatus – famous Roman dictator
E. Plebians – Common people
F. Patricians – powerful nobles
G. Magistrates – elected officials
H. Consuls – 2 most powerful magistrates
I. Roman Senate – council of wealthy and powerful Romans who advised leaders
J. Assembly – elected magistrates
K. Tribunes – elected officials – elected by plebians; had veto power
L. Veto – power to forbid
M. Latin – Roman langugage
N. Checks and balances – system to prevent abuse of power; limits and balances
O. Forum – center of government and religion
P. 12 Tables – code of laws displayed in Forum
Q. Punic Wars – series of wars against Carthage
R. Hannibal – one of greatest generals of ancient world; leader of Carthage
S. Spartacus – led revolt of slaves
T. Cicero – philosopher and public speaker tried to restore checks and balances
U. Julius Caesar –general and dictator
V. Marc Antony – leader after Caesar’s death
W. Augustus – became sole ruler of Roman Empire
X. Cleopatra – married to Marc Antony
Y. Hadrian – emperor who built wall between Roman and non Roman empire
Z. Pax Romana – peaceful period of Roman Empire
AA. Aqueduct – channel to carry water to cities
BB. Virgil – poet of epic the Aeneid
CC. Ovid – poet of Roman myths
DD. Romance languages – developed from Latin
EE. Civil law – legal system based on written code of laws