Download Rome Vocab Answers - Republic Quiz

Name: _____________________
Rome Vocabulary
Define and explain each term by finding it in your text. NO INTERNET – write the number of the page it’s found on.
Page Number:
Term:
1. _______
Etruscans
A cultural group of people who had settled most of Italy before Latin (Roman)
society fully developed. The Etruscans ruled Latium (the larger region in which Rome was located) with a
Monarchy until Roman patricians rebelled and set up the early Republic.
2. _______
Patrician
People descended from the “founding fathers” of the Roman Republic. They
were generally rich, aristocratic landowners and made up only about 5% of the free (non-slave) population.
Initially, only the patricians were allowed to attain positions as government officials.
3. _______
Plebeian
The “common people” of Rome – not descended from the Patricians. Plebs did
regular jobs – farmer, artisan, shopkeeper, business-person, etc. Initially, they were not allowed to hold
positions in the early Roman Republic. This, however, changed over several hundred years as the Plebs rebelled
and gained more rights.
4. _______
Council of Plebs
A subdivision of the citizens’ Assembly that was made up only of Plebs.
The Council of Plebs, also called “Plebeian Council”, could initially only make laws for Plebs but eventually was
allowed to pass laws for all Romans including Patricians.
5. _______
Tribune
Plebeian government officials elected by the Council of Plebs. The tribunes
would explain Pleb concerns to the Senate and Consuls so that Plebs’ voices were heard in some capacity.
6. _______
12 Tables
Rome’s first code of laws – written down for the first time. Before 451 BCE, laws
were not written down so that Patricians could “bend” them in their own favor against the Plebs.
7. _______
Republic
A form of government in which citizens elect government officials called
“representatives” to make laws and decisions for them. This is different from a democracy, in which citizens
directly make decisions and laws themselves.
8. _______
Consul
One of the two top officials in Rome’s Republic. They were chosen each year by
the Assembly and could appoint Senators. Generally, one ran the army while the other ran the operations of the
government.
9. _______
Senate
the 300 members of the legislative branch of Rome’s republic. They could make
laws, advise the consuls, approve building programs, and handle Rome’s finances (money).
10. _______
Dictator
A single person chosen by the Senate in times of need – when decisions needed
to be made quickly and could not wait for the debates that would normally happen when making decisions. The
dictator acted like a king during the time of crisis, but would step down as soon as the crisis passed. The dictator
could be one of the consuls, but it did not have to be.