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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Tiberius Gracchus |
Elected tribune in 133BC. Associate with land refrom, wanted to create a lot of small farmers which would also expand military eligibility. He had popular support, but bypassed the Senate. Went straight to the plebeian council where the law passed. This was the first constitutional crisis. Senators killed him and 300 supporters. |
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Gaius Gracchus |
Brother of Tiberius. Gained power and is labelled as the first populist. Proclaimed himself on the side of the people, wanted to allow property in foreign lands to be owned by Romans, proposed low grain prices, proposed an employment project for maintaining infrastructure. Riots break out and Rome becomes dangerous. Senate declares martial law. Gaius killed. |
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Marius |
Consul six times from 107-100BC. A general who reformed the army. He professionalized it and made it a standing army. Can be described as a "new man", came from plebeian class. Promised land to soldiers after they got out, bought their loyalty, created patronage and the need for it. |
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Sulla |
Came from a patrician family that became impoverished. Marched on Rome in 88, but city was seized by Marius. Sulla returned in 83 and appointed dictator in 82. Resigned in 80 |
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Describe the "Roman Revolution" |
Term used to describe the slow decline of the Roman Republic. Set the stage for constitutional crises that led to questions like how much power should the Senate have? Began with Tiberius in 133BC. |
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When was Rome founded? |
April 753BC |
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Characteristics of Roman civilization? |
Powerful public opinion, distaste for individualism, strong public spirit. Art and literature praised parsimonia, severitas, frugalitas, and simplicitas. |
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What does "republic" mean? |
res publica (public matters) |
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Explain the Roman Republic |
The Roman constitution was similar to Britain's which is based on laws and precedent. It also had separation of powers and check and balances. 2 Consuls had veto power. A dictator could be appointed for a 6 month term if needed. |
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What is a praetor? |
Similar to a Chief Justice in the US, there were usually six of them, each had a 1 year term |
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What is a censor? |
There were 2 of them, 18 month terms, financial powers (taxing), supervised public morality (corruption), initiated public works. |
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What were the Twelve Tables? |
A set of rules that governed both public and private behavior. Was memorized by students. |
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What caused Roman expansion? |
At first, it had a lot to do with attempt to create or maintain buffer zones for security purposes. Later, expansion was driven by imperium (resources, taxes). |
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List possible jobs for a slave. |
Secretary, personal assistant to the lady of the house, raising/tutoring children, cook, gardener, debt collector, physician, agricultural worker (one of the worst). |
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Plautus |
Lived 254-184BC. Roman playwright. First use of "tragic comedy". Known for word play, slapstick, puns, and alliteration. Wrote Amphitryon. It is common because it's mythological with a spin, not a sophisticated plot. About sex and deception. "Virtue's its own reward to well-doers." |
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Cicero |
Lived 107-44BC. Philosopher, politician, lawyer, and orator. His life coincided with the decline of the Roman Republic. Wrote over 900 letters. Wrote Brutus in 46BC. Believed that a great orator needed an education based on Greek culture, especially philosophy. His major contribution was to reproduce Greek philosophy into Latin and to create a philosophical literature for Rome that could rival Greece's. |
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"First Oration Against Catiline" |
By Cicero. A public denunciation of Catiline who wanted to take over the government (violent man). Political and military crisis. Cicero says solution should be his exile in order to "purge the city". Cicero says that the assembly's silence is proof of their agreement. This is an example of the greater the crisis, the more eloquent you must be. |
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"Concerning Old Age" |
By Cicero. Wrote this in his 60s. Philosophy of the time had to be both practical and personal. Written as a conversation. The best defenses of old age are the principles and practice of the virtues. A life well spent, good memories to remember, a good legacy left behind. |
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"Cato on Extravagance" |
By Livy. 2 plebeian tribunes proposed to repeal the Oppian law. Women began publicly advocating its repeal. Cato highly upset by this. "outrageous behavior of these women". Husbands wouldn't be able to afford their wives spending. |
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Characteristics of Roman poetry |
Often a way of channeling social energies. Highly allusive. Believed that memorizing poetry would make you more articulate and intelligent. Poets weren't trying to be original, they were trying to be good. In the 1st century patronage falls away but court poetry rises. Common themes were the ethical life, country life, love/lust. |
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What is didactic poetry? |
Meant to instruct, especially moral lessons. |
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When was the pax romana? |
27BC-181AD. Preceded by about 100 years of chaos, instability, wars. |
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How did the pax romana begin? |
In 27, the Senate makes the "first constitutional settlement" by naming Gaius Octavian Augustus. The government of the period called the principate. Augustus' goals were to prevent wars and not get killed. |
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Describe rule of Augustus |
He kept calling himself princeps ("leading citizen"). 2nd constitutional settlement in 23BC, Senate proclaimed his power would be maius (more/greater). He now had absolute power, even Tribune of the Plebeians. In 12, became head priest. |
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Who succeeded Augustus? |
Tiberius in 14AD, Augustus' son by a previous marriage. Tiberius was moody and melancholy, not a commanding figure. |
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Lucretius |
Lived about 99-55BC. Roman poet. Comfortably born and well educated. He blended traditional religious language with the sensuousness of the poetry of the day. "the true impiety is religion's." |
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"De rerum natura" |
By Lucretius. "On the nature of things". It is a comprehensive explanation of Epicureanism. |
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Catullus |
Died in 54BC. 2nd greatest poet of the Republic. new generation of poets made everyday situations a subject for poetry. Informal wit and elegance. He was part of the Neoteric movement. |
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How are Lucretius and Catullus similar? |
Poets of the Republic. They describe intellectual or emotional adventures with a candor that was difficult in later periods. Uncluttered directness. |
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Stages of Roman education |
1. ludus litterarius=primary school. age 7. Words, syllables, lot of memorizing poetry. Worked individually. 2. grammaticus=age 11-15. Reading and writing. Learning Greek systematically. Lecture. Performance reading. 3. rhetor=age 14/15. If you want to be a statesman, lawyer, etc. Broader curriculum (geography, geometry, rhetoric). Very tutorial. |
