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115 Cards in this Set

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papyri (papyrology)

discovered during pharonic period. greek begins to appear on papyrs after alexander the great's conquests. papyrus writings are either literary and documentary

epigraphy

inscriptions - over a million or so exist from the roman empire, cutting letters into stone. ROSETTA STONE

numismatics

study of coins and the inscriptions on the coins. Showed rulers, policy and ideals of the time they were minted

"ab urbe condita"

literally means "from the founding city. Romans used this to date all things founde in 753 BC

Aeneas

mythical hero of the trojan war and founded roman greatness. ancestor of romulus and remus

Romulus and Remus

roman myth about the brothers, raised by a shewolf, who founded the city of Rome due to Romulus killing Remus

Fasces

a bundle of wooden rods that showed the power and jurisdiction of a magistrate in ancient rome

Founding of the Republic

509 - Artistocracy proposes the last of the kings. was traditionally a monarchy before this time. to avoid supreme rule, aristocrats set up magistrates to run the government. The republic was based on two principles: Anuality - only in office for one year, Coegiality - two consul system where two men were in charge together

Imperium

power of ultimate authority as both a magistrate and a general. Rule over the army and the Senate, often given in time of crisis. God's acting through the person who has it

Consul

two elected officials, usually the eldest of the Senate

Sacrosanct

sacred law that if broken the person, his family, and property were considered cursed by the gods

Senex ==> Senate

advisory/ruling body of Rome. populated by rich aristocrats, dangerous for a ruler to go against the senate. from this body the consuls and the magistrates were elected

Senatus Consultum/a

the opinion of the senate, a magistrate or consul would bring policy to the senate and they would decide if it should be inplemented or not

Pater/patres

members of the Senate whose job it was to advise the magistrates and other elected officials. Latin for father

Gens/gentes

a roman family or all those who claim common ancestory, family of the same name. this was important to social structure

familia

roman family, lead by the father as a figure head, the only legally recognized person in the familia was the paterfamilieas

Paterfamilias

the male head of the familia

Patronus/cliens

Patron/client relationship. A wealthy and powerful Senator or other high official would have a collection of clients that would stay loyal to him and do his bidding. He would in turn be the benefactor to these lesser class citizens for their jobs well done. This structure is not limited to highest class in roman society. Clients of powerful senators could themselves have clients below them that do their bidding and dirty work. There is no obligation involved but certain exchange is always present. Friendship for the romans was "demonstrated" you must be worth something in order to get into this relationship. This is the web that held society together

Clientele

the clients of a wealthy roman patron

Beneficia

Patrons suppying their clients with money, food, social power

Pax Deorum

peace of the gods, do not violate this

Mos Majorum

Most Roman, most in accordance with the "old ways", ancestral custom

Nova res

"new thing" - new things for bad in the eyes of the Romans and should be avoided

Roman Citizenship

Given to all peoples of Italy in 82 BC. Later in the Republic and into the empire, citizenship was offered to conquered peoples in agreement to their loyalty to Rome and that they would pay taxes

Constitutio Antoniniana

212 - passed by the eperor Caracalla that gave citizenship to all those in the empire who were not slaves. After 212 all freed men were considered Roman citizens. He passed to increase the number of taxable people in the empire

Latifundia

a large and extensive privately owned parcel of land. Usually owned by a rich Senator and used for the planting and cultivation of cash corps. Countryside Estates

Proscription

Hit list of enemies to those who held the most power. Used to eliminate political enemies. Offered rewards for capture, killing or information on the enemies. Sulla Felix

First Triumvirate

60 - "The Three Guys" contained Marcus Crassus, Julius Ceaser, and Pompey. Pompey was the military leader, Crassus the money man and Ceaser was the political wizard

Clementia

goddess of forgiveness and mercy, defined and celebrated virtue of Caesar. Mercy, Caesar had mercy

Caesar, as dictator, dominates Rome

46-44 - Crassus is killed fighting the Parthians and this leads to civil war. After defeating Pompey in Macedonia he returns to Rome and assumes position of dictator. When in this position he beings to treat other members of the senate as below him and they plot to kill him. Caesar was loved by the people during his rule, he was their patron

Caesar assassinated

3/15/44 - A group of senators, lead by Marcus Inius Brutus plot to, and kill Caesar. In his will Caesar leaves 300 bronze coins for each Roman citizen and states that his her would be his 19 year old nephew Octavian

Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus form 2nd Triumvirate

43 - First order of the second triumvirate was to kill off all of those who conspired against Caesar. Anotony and Octavian kick out Lepidus in 40 B.C. The empire is then divded into two parts, The West is ruled by Octavian and the East ruled by Antony. Octavian is both consul and tribune and he uses these offices to gain political control over Rome

Battle of Philippi

42 (defeat of assassins) - Assassins flee to Greece and are confronted by Antony and Octavian and defeated. Octavian spent most of the battle in his tent

Battle of Actium

9/2/31 - Octavian proclaims a "just war" against Mark Antony because it was fond out that Antony wished to move the capital from Rome to Alexandria and give all power to his and Cleopatra's sons and her and Caesar's son. Battle is won by Octavian (Agrippa lead the forces) and controls the seas around Actium. Antony, realizing defeat, flees and Octavian pursues, gaining many of Antony's followers

Suicides of Antony and Cleopatra

30 - realizing defeat both Antony and Cleopatra kill themselves

Octavian / Augustus

(63 BC - AD 14) After the defeat of Antony, he rules unopposed for years and begins to outlive most of his heirs. His legacy remains as he begins to pass off positions slowly to his heirs. He closes the gates of Janus on 1/11/29 BC and proclaims that it is time for peace. Says that he will restore the Republic and then retire. Senators will not let him retire and they give to him a few Provincia. He chooses the provincias were the armierns were stationed. Turns former kings and clients of Antony into his own clients. While doing all of this he still remains a regular magistrate to not bring up suspicion. Minted coints with SC on them (Sonatus Consulta) this means "by an act of the senate"

Janus

temple of Rome that signifies if the Romans were at war or peace if the gates were open (war) or closed (peace)

"Restoration of the Republic"

1/13/27 - Octavian's sleight of hand that eventually gives him ultimate power

Princeps / principate

Term used by Romans to signify basically who the emperor was

Tribunician Power

the power possessed by tribunes to veto or pass legislation

"Greater Proconsular Imperium"

Given to Octavian after he resigns his consulship in 23 BC. This title was given to him by the Senate and literally means "the most power of any pro-magistrate"

Pontifex Maximus

High priest of the college of Pontus, highest religious position in Rome, Lepidus was this. Later on the emperor also had this role

Marcus Agrippa

Leader of the war effort in Actium. In order to gain an heir to his power, Octavian marries his Julia to Agrippa in 21 BC. They have two sons Gaius and Lucius. Both become Consuls by the time they are 20 but both eventually die before realizing full power. Agrippa dies in 12 BC. Julia then remarries to Tiberius Claudius Nero who Augustus takes as his legal son and then Heir

Ara Pacis - Altar of Peace

dedicated 9 BC - Altar dedicated to the Roman god of peace, Pax, and it was built because of Augustus's return to Rome.

Roma et Augustus

Cult that would worship the guardian spirit of Rome and Augustus, this brought about the tradition of Roman's worshipping their emperor as a god

Res Gestae Divi Augusti

"Deeds of the Divine Augustus" his funerary inscription that showed how the Roman people viewed him

Julio - Claudians

The ruling dynasty of the first five emporors, consists of Augustus, Tiverius, Gaius Caligula, Claudius and Nero

Praetorian Guard / Praetorian Prefect

The guards of the emperor. The prefect is the commander of the guards and is also charged with the administration of justice. To earn this title you must have served as a guard previously

"Year of the Four Emperors"

AD 69 - Four emperors ruled in succession after the suicide of Nero. This unstable ruling system creates Civil War in the empire for the first time since the death of Mark Antony. The four emperors this time concerns were, Galba then Otho then Vitellius and finally Vespasian who begins the rule of the Flavians

Flavians

ruling dynasty consisting of Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian. During this time Rome suffers a fire and plauge and Pompeii erupts

"Good Emperors"

the 5 good emperors ruled from 96 - 192 AD. All of these emperors gained power and rite through adoption, they practiced justice and benevolent rule

Antonines

4 rulers, all from adoption, who ruled through Roman tradition and shared their power with the Senate, most notable was Marcus Aurelius. This dynasty also contained Antoninus Pius, Lucius Versus and Commodus

Pax Romana

Long period of peace and no expansion in the Roman Empire, started by Augustus after the battle of Actium

Severi

Roman imperial dynasty with the first being Septimius Severus

Social Stratification

The clear and known order of Roman society where each person knows where they stand socially, economically, and politically. Layers on top of each other with defined boundaries. Distinction of rank in society

Social Order

A social group with distinctly defined requirements by the Roman State. Showed your social ranking

Sestertius

brass Roman coins that were the common currency of the Roman empire, used as a unit of account to show economical status

Denarius

small silver coin and the most common throughout the empire

Social statis / status dissonance

social estimation of your place in society given to you by OTHER people / this is when your power held is disproportional to your status. Think slaves with power

Municipium - ia

Towns or allied communities that want to grow in power and importance in the view of the Roman Emperor. Self-governed communities that contained full Roman citizens and they competed for recognition and wealth with other municipia

Ordo Senatorius

Top order of Roman Society. Contained only about 600 men. To be in this class you needed at least a property worth of 1 million sestereces

Latus clavus

Broad purple stripe worn on the bottom of a Senators toga, this distinguishes rank

Cursus Honorum

the struggle amonst the senators for offices and approval from the princeps. Sequential order of offices held by politicians. Mixture of military and political posts. This beings with 10 years of military duty. The first step was to be a military tribune for 10 years

2nd Quaestor

ages 27-30 these were financial officials often attached to the staff of a higher magistrate. A bean counter and was in charge with overseeing games

3rd Aedile

eleceted at 36 these officials oversaw public works and constructions

4th Praetor

39 years old, Judicial officials with a higher rank of administration. These people were appointed by the princeps. They oversaw the courts

5th consul : ordinaries / suffectus

Highest rank of a successful political career, originally there were only two consuls but it had been expanded by Augustus. Consul Ordinaries - title everyone wanted, no more power than the suffectus but had more prestige. With this title the year takes your name and you are able to pass administration. You were also given a Provincia to govern after your terms as Ordinaries. Consul Suffectus - additional Consuls that were awarded the position by the princeps for their loyalty and work

Damnatio Memoriae

To damn the memory of someone. Form of dishonor passed by the senate to basically wipe you from the history books.

Praefectus Urbi (prefect of the city)

This was the title for the mayor of the city of Rome, great honor. Takes care of the day to day running of the city of rome

Nobiles

having nobile background or ancestry

Novus Homo

"new man" - someone who came form non-noble descent and usually from a provincia. The roman Senate always needed new people and these men who proved themselves could rise to power

Ordo Equester

equestrian order - Tiny elete of the roman empire who had enough land and money to raise horses. Once appointed to the order you are presented a horse by the emperor. This position was given through adlection or the process of a person in power appointing you to an office. Upon the retirement of promis pilus "chief spear" he was given Equestrian order. Equestrian prefectures only had to answer to the emperor himself. The equestrian order had the following posts: Praefectus Vigilum - leader of the police and firemen of Rome, Praefectus Annonae - grain guy, got sold, transported and supplied grain to Rome, Praefectus Aegypti - governor of Egypt, Praetorian Prefect - in charge of the praetorian guard

Latus Angustus

narrow purple stripe on the toga of an Equestrian

Eques / Equites

term for a member of the Equestrian Order

Adlection by Emperor

appointed into a class or to a position by the emperor

Legate (legatus)

General in the Roman army, this position is always held by a Senator who holds both military and senatorial rule

Ordo Decurionum

decuriate order - municipal aristocracy. The noble class and town leaders from the provinces of the Roman empire. Had their name registered in the album decuruinum. This is the key group of Roman Society. The imperial Gov cuts deals with these people and they form a patron client relationship with the Roman Imperial Govt. Assistance in the running of the empire, loyalty to Rome, and of course...Taxes. This class was resonsible for teh majority of the inscriptions seen across the empire

Album Decurionum

book containing the names of the town rulers

Curia / boule

= town council - where they meet and govern the town

Curiales / bouleutai

members of town council

Duumvir - viri / strategos - goi

"two guys" both co-major of a Roman town, this position had great honor

Munera / liturgies

munera - the duty or obligation to do public works and maintain public buildings in the town. Also they were to collect and distribute grain. Liturgies, collected local taxes and got to hold games under their names. Supply men for the army and entertain Imperial Officials

Social Mobility

Roman society allowed in some instances for climbing the ranks of society. A man who was a slave could one day rise to a government position of power. However, you did need to have some type of valuable skill

Manumission

"sent out by hand" - slave had to be 30 in order to gain this level and they were given land or a business by their owner to run. The slave/master relationship turns into a patron/client relationship. Manumission was seen as a way to integrate new people into society

Libertus / ti(pl)

= freedman - the freeing of a slave. Once freed you take on the name of your master and enter into a patron/client relationship. When freed it was viewed that your ownership was transferred over from the master to a god

Familia Caesaris

The emperor's household

Philemon and Onesimus

Paul's letter to Philemon. Onesmus (Philemon's slave) runs away and runs to Paul. Paul treats slave as a brother and an equal. Onesimus becomes a Christian and Paul sends him back to Philemon with a letter "He has left you a slave, receive him again as a brother"

Augustalis / Augustales

freedman or gold coin?

Eumachia

woman from Pompeii who became very powerful and wealthy, this shows the social mobility of women in the empire. She did man euergetisms or "do goodisms"

Pomerium

official religious boundaries marked by inscriptions

14 regiones

Rome divided into 14 regions by Augustus

7000 vigiles

night watch of the city of Rome. Divded into different regions in the city

Praefectus Vigilum

leader of the night watch

Amphora / amphorae

ancient jar or vessel that contained wine or oil

Monte Testaccio

Mountain consisting of entirely broken pottery

Annona

flowering plant

Horrea

Public building used to store grain supply for the city, managed by Imperial official

Puteoli

Harbor city located 5 miles west of Naples, main place of docking for the Alexandrian grain ships

Pompeii / Herculaneum

AD 79 - eruption of Mt. Vesuvius wipes out entire city of Pompeii

Ostia

Rome's primary part located on the Tiber and the Med sea

Portus

Rome's second port built near Ostia to handle the increase in grain ships as the empire expanded

Cloaca Maxima

The great Drain, Rome's primary sewage system. Used initially to drain marshy area between hills, 1000 yds long

Thermae

public bath houses in roman cities

Atrium

large open space in the middle of cities where people met and bought/sold goods

Peristyle

roman/greek architecture of columned open porches with a space in the middle

Triclinium

dining room of a wealthy household

insula - ae

multi - level apartment buildings in Rome

vicus / vici

tiny neighborhoods within the city of Rome (about 260)

vicomagistri

block or neighborhood captain. Presides over religious ceremonies

compitales

crossroads of neighborhoods where block parties were held (festival of the compitalia)

collegium / collegia

guild of merchants, trade or craft associations who own meeting halls, shops, temples. These people often share common birthplace, religion, culture, and status

Taberna - ae

single room shop within an indoor market

Circus Maximus

gigantic horseracing arena in Rome. Largest venue for public games (210,000)

Acclamations

ritual and verbal expressions of approval of politics in public, often at Circus Maximus

Adventus

Ceremony in Ancient Rome where the emperor was formally welcomed into the city