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Area: around Mediterranean Sea
Civilization: Roman Republic; Roman Empire
vocabulary gladiator: a person trained to fight another person to the death for public
entertainment
arch: an upside-down U- or V-shaped structure that supports weight above
it, as in a doorway
vault: an arched structure used to hold up a ceiling or roof
veto: to refuse to approve proposals of government made by the Senate
Geography- Latins: people from the ancient country of Latinum, an area in what is now
travel;
the country of Italy
food supply Palatine: one of the seven hills of ancient Rome
Area of empire:
330 C.E.: 2 capitals: Eastern & Western Roman Empires
Social
plebeians: one of the common people; in the Roman Republic, a person
structure & who initially had no say in government
government patricians: in the Roman Republic, a rich man who held power
tribune: an official of the Roman Republic elected by plebeians to protect
their rights
consul: one of two chief leaders in the Roman Republic
Government Senate: a group of 300 men elected to govern Rome in the Roman
Republic
Republic: a form of government with elected leaders
Empire: a large territory in which several groups of people are ruled by a
single leader or government
Two emperors: in 330 C.E. Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the
empire to Byzantium. (Same city: Constantinople/Istanbul). Before this
move emperors had shared power as co-rulers; after Constantine, power
was divided between two emperors, with one based in Rome and the other
in Constantinople, so Rome was the capital of just the western half of the
empire.
Religion
Greek gods renamed: Zeus -> Jupiter, Aphrodite -> Venus, Ares -> Mars,
Hermes -> Mercury, Hades -> Pluto, ...
Emperors as gods: eventually worshipped as gods; other religions tolerated
if they did not suggest people be disloyal to the emperor
Christianity: the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
The Arts:
Realistic statues: lifelike
Frescos: water-based paints on moist plaster; often showed 3-d landscapes
Diverisons: Circus Maximus: racetrack; room for 200,000 spectators; chariot races;
men & women allowed to sit together.
Colosseum: one of the large public arenas for gladiator games. Men &
women were gladiators, and fought each other or animals to the death.
Men and women sat in separate sections.
Technology cuniculus: an irrigation system invented by the Etruscans
concrete: Romans first to make wide use of concrete, a mixture of broken
stone with sand, cement, and water that was allowed to harden, making
bigger arches possible.
Writing &
Language
EconomyPhilosophy
& Law
Leadershipimportant
people
roads: built with layers of stone, sand, and gravel. Became the standard for
road-building for 2000 years.
aqueducts: a pipe or channel that brings water from distant places
stylus: a pointed instrument used for writing
Latin: English uses Latin alphabet (+ 3 other letters). Many English words
from Latin.
Latin prefixes: in-, im-, il- all mean not; inter = among; com- & co- mean
together or with, pre = before, post = after, re = back or again, semi = half,
sub = less than, trans = across
Roman numerals: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M =
1000
Stoicism: valuing a good character, having virtues such as self-control &
courage. Famous for suffering bravely and quietly.
Law: a legal system
Justice: Romans believed in a universal law of justice that came from
nature, saying all had rights. Judges tried to make fair decisions that
respected people’s rights.
Julius Caesar: Conquered Gaul. Civil war-against Pompey. When Caesar
won-dictator for life. Senators stabbed to death on the Ides of March (15).
Projects to give work: building new roads & public buildings. Kept poor
happy: staging gladiator contests. Adopted new calendar.
Augustus Caesar: Became emperor after Caesar assassinated & after civil
war. 1st real emperor of Rome. Ruled for 41 years. Started first police
force, fire fighters, & library. Expanded borders, then Pax Romana-tried
for peace so could keep a strong economy.
Constantine: Dreamed of Christian symbol on shields & victory. Won
battle; later supported Christianity through political and economic policies.
313 C.E. 1st emperor to give Christians freedom to practice openly. 330
C.E. moved capital (see 2 emperors). On deathbed-baptized.
Other points Punic Wars: Wars between Carthage & Rome. 1st: 264 – 241 B.C.E.; at
of interest
sea; Carthage fought for Sicily & other cities. Rome copied Carthage’s
navy. Rome won. 2nd Punic War: 218 – 202 B.C.E: Hannibal crossed the
alps and marched into Rome; however Scipio Africanus who attacked
Carthage & won. 3rd Punic War: 149-146 B.C.E.: Rome concerned
because Carthage now trading again. Carthage lost to Rome; lost all rights;
ground sown with salt so nothing would grow.
The Conflict of Orders: conflict between the classes: plebeians &
patricians. Plebeians wanted more rights; patricians refused; plebeians
marched out of Rome, refusing to work the farms and refusing to serve in
the army. First strike?
The Twelve Tablets: Victory for the plebeians. Laws written down so that
the laws could not be changed by the patricians. 451 B.C.E.
Reasons for Fall of Rome: political instability: government did not
peacefully transfer power. Roman army huge, so paid for with heavy
taxes-contributed to economic problems. Geography: Rome too big-
surrounding Mediterranean; many potential trouble areas; many areas
where tribes (Vandals, Franks, Ostrogoths, Burgundians, Gepids,
Visigoths) attacked. Some tribes allowed to become part of Rome, but
were never truly loyal. 330 C.E.: capital moved to Constantinople, and
power split between two emperors. 410 C.E.: tribes attacked Rome itself.
476 C.E.: last emperor driven out of Rome, and western Roman empire
fell.