Key figures, events, and concepts of ancient Rome
20 cards · history
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| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Founding of Rome | Traditionally 753 BC by Romulus Myth credits twin brothers; Romulus killed Remus and named the city. |
| Roman Republic | 509–27 BC; state with elected magistrates and Senate Mixed constitution with checks; citizens voted in assemblies. |
| Senate | Advisory council of elders; powerful in the Republic Controlled finances and foreign policy; membership was for life. |
| Consul | Two annually elected chief magistrates Commanded armies and presided over government with imperium. |
| Tribune of the plebs | Elected plebeian officials with veto power Sacrosanct and could veto actions harming plebeians. |
| Twelve Tables | c. 450 BC; earliest Roman law code Basis for later law; inscribed and publicly displayed. |
| Punic Wars | 264–146 BC; Rome defeated Carthage Carthage was destroyed in 146 BC; Rome dominated the Mediterranean. |
| Scipio Africanus | Defeated Hannibal at Zama in 202 BC Earned the agnomen Africanus after the Second Punic War. |
| First Triumvirate | 60 BC alliance of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus Informal pact that bypassed normal politics; it collapsed into rivalry. |
| Julius Caesar | 100–44 BC; general and dictator; helped end the Republic Assassinated on the Ides of March; heir Octavian became Augustus. |
| Augustus | 27 BC–AD 14; first Roman emperor Consolidated power and created the Principate after civil wars. |
| Pax Romana | c. 27 BC–AD 180; long period of relative peace Stability fostered trade, prosperity, and cultural flourishing. |
| Trajan | AD 98–117; empire reached greatest extent Conquered Dacia and campaigned in the East; famed for Trajan’s Column. |
| Diocletian | AD 284–305; instituted the Tetrarchy Reorganized provinces, economy, and army; persecuted Christians. |
| Constantine | AD 306–337; legalized Christianity; founded Constantinople Issued the Edict of Milan and refounded Byzantium as Constantinople. |
| Fall of the Western Roman Empire | AD 476; Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustulus Marked the traditional end of the Western Empire; the East endured. |
| Roman roads | Extensive paved network linking the empire Built for speed and durability; “all roads lead to Rome.” |
| Aqueducts | Gravity-fed systems supplying cities with water Iconic arches like the Pont du Gard carried water over long distances. |
| Roman baths | Public bathing complexes central to urban life Included hot and cold rooms, gyms, and libraries; entry was cheap. |
| Bread and circuses | Grain doles and games to placate the populace Phrase panem et circenses from Juvenal criticized civic apathy. |