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18 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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5 Reasons we study ancient Rome? |
1.) The constitution of the Roman Empire - a model of modern day democracies 2.) Roman Architecture – pioneered the use of concrete and the ability to span vast spaces which will influence modern construction 3.) The Roman talent for administrating a huge empire, maintaining a unique cultural identity, could be a model for today 4.) Fascination – for one of the world’s greatest empire 5.) Mr. McNeil – really like talking about imperial Rome |
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How did geography impact Rome? |
Link between Europe and Africa --> Italian peninsula iscentral in Mediterranean World (halfway between the east and west) Seclusion --> rugged mountainsseparate northern Italy from the rest of Europe which provide good protectionbut made communication difficult. Agriculture Climate --> mild climate, fertileland, river beds, volcanic soil, and mountain deposits Rivers --> Po and Tiger allowedfor transportation and created borders from other peoples. |
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What did the Etruscans contribute to Rome’sdevelopment? |
- In Rome the Etruscans dug an enormous ditch(Great Sewer) to create a drained area named the forum - Contributed to the rise of Rome and their culture - Etruscan influenced the Romans through the following: Alphabet, arches, numerals, blood sports, politics (purple robes), and symbol of fasces, augury, and superstition. |
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Who were the Etruscans? |
- Firs inhabitants of northern Italy c. 750 BCE - Conquered Rome around 600 BCE - Skilled artisans, farmers and accomplished trades |
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What was the problem between the Plebians’ andthe Patricians? |
The internal history of the Roman Republic consisted of constant tensions and feds between the patrician sand the plebeians. The Patricians,coming from the latin word ‘patres’ meaning father, were a senatorial aristocracy, and a landowning aristocracy. The Plebians coming from the latin word ‘plebs’ meaning common people, were the majority of the people population, and the landless poor. |
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How did the republic try to solve the problem between the Plebians and Patricians? |
The republic tried to solve the problem between the problem between the two groups by combining aristocracy, oligarchy, and democracy into a form a government in which citizens elected their leaders. |
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What were Marius’reforms? |
· Developed the concept of the citizen army · Seasonal fighting interrupted the gain harvest so he created a standing army · Soldiers served for 16 years in the ranks and 4 in the reserves · After service he would retire with a pension or a plot of land · While in service a soldier received regular pay,food, and clothing. |
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What did Marius' reforms lead to? |
- At the end of the 2nd century BCE Gaius Marius reformed the act of legions as the professional force drawing from the poorest classes,enabling Rome to field larger armies and providing employment for jobless citizens of the city of Rome - After his reforms the roman legions were reorganized intoa cohort classification system comprised of 10 cohorts from best to last inseniority --> System lead to loyalty to the generals rather than the state enabling JuliusCaesar to end the republic due to having an army faithful to him |
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Why did the Roman Republic fail? |
· State’s inability to bridge the gap between rich and poor (patricians and plebeians) · Lack of effective control of Rome’s new found wealth & commercialism (greed + dishonesty amongst leaders) · Social uprisings of non Roman Italians over Roman citizenship · Military reforms of standing army and legions increased power and influence of Roman Generals (i.e. rise of army chiefs such as Pompey and Julius Caesar) |
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Who was Julius Caesarand what did he contribute? |
- Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, Consul,and notable author of Latin prose. He was an astute politician who was also a military genius. Later he played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. - In 60 BCE Caesar, Crassus and Pompey (Roman Generals) formedthe “First Triumvirate” which was a plan to usurp the Roman Republic while being backed with the power of their armies. He was appointed as a dictator in 46 BCE for 10 years due to the outbreak of civil war. - He became tyrannical and extended the position for life and appointed himself chief priest (pontifex maximus). |
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Why was Augustus agreat emperor and the prototype for all future emperors? |
· Since he was the first emperor he was easily compared to all future emperors therefore making him a prime example of what a good emperor should and should not embody · 1st act of brilliance was returningthe republic to the control of the senate · He expanded his power by becoming Tribune to thepeople to bridge the gap between rich and poor · Assumed the position of Pontifex Maximus · Had an imperial force of 9000 men to protectRome (Praetorian Guard) · Roman population drastically increased · Created a period of Augustan peace call principate · Rome and its “Romanity” flourished under hisrule |
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What did the Romans believe in, religiouslyspeaking? |
- Extremely superstitious - Adopted the entire Greek pantheon of Olympian Gods - Believed in minor deities, werewolves, and all forms of magic - Inherited the dark arts from the Etruscans --> laying curses, casting spells, and fortune telling - Took “auspices” (signs/ omens from nature) to see if the Gods approved prior to public acts, military operations and elections - Astrology and the belief in the signs of the zodiac |
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What are the most important physical features ofthe city of Rome? |
· Greek architecture (columns) was fused into roman culture · Romans alone gave the world concrete · Arches spanning long distances |
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Who was Diocletian? |
- Emperor - In 299 CE Diocletian divided the rule of the empire into 2 parts: East and West and also attempted to destroy the Christian faith.Overwhelmed by inflation in 305 CE he stepped down from the throne. |
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Constantine |
- Emperor (Christian) - Diocletian's successor - In 313 CE during the Edict of Milan / Toleration he freed the Christian citizens from persecutions and displayed his favouritism for Christian communities. - Constantine set up Byzantium for the government (later Constantinople) and set up Hagia Sophia as the church of the Holy Wisdom. |
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How did Diocletian and Constantine contribute to the fall of Rome? |
- They separated the nation both geographically and religiously. |
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What accounts for thefall of Rome? |
Military - Germanic invasions - Weakened Roman Legions (mercenaries) Political - Oppressive government - Corrupt officials - Divided Empire Economic - Heavy taxes - Population decline - Slavery Social - Erosion of traditional values - Self-serving upper class - “Bread and circuses” - Christianity |
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What role did Christianity play in Rome? |
- There was a rise in Christianity and the religion had spread for many reasons. - Eventually the church’s influence grew so great; it challenged the secular administration of the later Roman emperors. - The establishment of Christianity caused the supremacy of the Roman ideal to be lost with the Roman |
