Ancient Rome under Augustus and Beyond

A period of relative peace in Rome, starting with Octavian Augustus

The ruler of the Roman Empire, such as Octavian Augustus

Government workers paid to run affairs.

The silver denarius, allowing easier trade in the Empire.

Agriculture was most important; trade with other countries and provinces.

The decline of trade routes and the movement of goods within the Roman Empire contributed to the weakening of its economy.

The Roman government reduced the amount of silver in coins, leading to inflation and economic instability.

Soldiers increasingly gained loyalty towards their commanders rather than the Roman Empire, leading to internal conflicts and instability.

Emperor Diocletian attempted to restore order and strengthen the Roman Empire by dividing it into the West and the East.

Emperor Constantine moved the Roman capital from Rome to Byzantium, shifting the center of power from West to East.

A form of government in ancient Rome where elected officials, like consuls and tribunes, held power, rather than a single monarch.

The two highest officials in the Roman Republic, responsible for leading the army and overseeing government affairs.

A powerful body of 300 members representing the wealthy upper class in the Roman Republic, influential in policy decisions.

Elected representatives of the common people (plebeians) in the Roman Republic, specifically responsible for protecting their rights.

The first written legal code of Rome, outlining laws for all free citizens, setting a foundation for Roman legal system.

A series of three major wars between Rome and Carthage, fought for control of the Mediterranean Sea.

A brilliant military general of Carthage during the Punic Wars, known for his daring campaign against Rome.

A Roman general known for his strategic brilliance during the Punic Wars, ultimately defeating Hannibal and Carthage.

The story of Romulus and Remus, twins believed to be demigods, who founded Rome after a dispute and a dramatic disappearance, and the Trojan lineage of the founders.

The city of Rome is situated on seven hills in the fertile Italian Peninsula, with access to the sea and a natural defense provided by mountains.

The Etruscans, a powerful civilization in the region, had a significant impact on the development of Rome, sharing their advancements in trading practices and government systems.

The history of Rome is divided into three main periods: the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire, covering centuries of development and transition.

The Roman Empire was a period of significant growth and influence, marked by peace, trade, and cultural achievements.

Ancient Greece had mountains that limited farmland and made transportation difficult, but also a sea that provided food and trade opportunities. The climate was moderate, allowing for outdoor gatherings.

A form of government where a single person, the king, rules the city-state.

The Minoan Civilization was located on the island of Crete and was known for its skilled artisans, architects, and elaborate palaces with murals.

A form of government where a small group of nobles, often from wealthy families, hold power.

A form of government where a small group of wealthy citizens hold power.

The Mycenaean Civilization was established by the 'Old Greeks' or 'Achaeans' and developed important cities like Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes. The civilization was known for its involvement in the Trojan War.

The Greeks colonized new areas due to a shortage of land, trade opportunities, political conflicts, and desire for territory and adventure. This resulted in the establishment of new farming areas, markets, and control over important regions.

A ruler who seizes power by force and often claims to support the common people.

A military-focused government with two kings, a council of elders, and an assembly of all citizens.

A city-state, or polis, was the fundamental political unit in Ancient Greece, encompassing both the city and surrounding countryside. It served as the center of political and cultural life. Significant examples include Athens, Corinth, Sparta, and Thebes.

A system of government where all citizens have the right to participate in decision-making through assemblies and councils.

Legal codes that introduced debt slavery, where debtors were forced to work as slaves to repay debts.

Reforms that allowed Athenian citizens to participate in a limited democracy, dividing people into 10 tribes.

A conflict between the Mycenaeans and the city of Troy, with the main legend being the kidnapping of Helen, the wife of the Greek king, by the Trojan prince Paris.

A series of conflicts between Greece and the Persian Empire, starting with the Greeks living in Ionia revolting against the Persian rule and their defeat by King Darius.

A battle during the Persian Wars where the Athenian army led by Miltiades defeated the Persian army under King Darius.

The starting point of the Persian Wars, where Greek inhabitants in Ionia revolted against the Persian rule, leading to Persian retaliation and their defeat.

The Greeks in Ionia, under the rule of the Persians, revolted due to the Persians' attempts to control their lives, leading to the outbreak of the Persian Wars.

A battle during the Persian Wars where a small Greek force, led by Leonidas of Sparta, fought against the much larger Persian army led by Xerxes. Despite their bravery and strategic tactics, the Greeks were ultimately defeated.

A naval battle during the Persian Wars where the Greek fleet decisively defeated the Persian fleet, marking a turning point in the war in favor of the Greeks.

An alliance of Greek city-states formed after the Persian Wars, primarily led by Athens. The league aimed to protect against future Persian threats, but Athens gradually gained control over other members.

A devastating war fought between Athens and Sparta, leading to the weakening of Greek city-states and ultimately paving the way for the rise of Macedon.

A new culture that emerged from the blending of Greek culture with Egyptian, Persian, and Indian influences, primarily during the period after Alexander the Great's conquests.

The Etruscan state was ruled by a king who held significant power, influencing the people and shaping the Etruscan society.

The Forum Romanum was the heart of the Roman city, serving as the meeting place for citizens and the center of social and commercial life.

Patricians were the upper class in Roman society, holding wealth, significant rights, and positions of power within the government.

Plebeians were the common people of Rome, typically farmers or workers, who were granted fewer rights than Patricians but were vital to the society.

The seven Kings of Roman Kingdom each had a distinct impact on Rome's development, from territorial expansion to infrastructure improvements.

The Roman Republic grew so vast that it became difficult to effectively manage and govern.

The poor in Rome felt marginalized and neglected as the wealthy grew richer, leading to dissatisfaction and unrest.

Problems with the military structure arose, potentially due to lack of discipline or morale, leading to instability.

Farmers faced war destruction, high costs, and indebtedness, forcing them to sell their land to wealthy landowners, leading to poverty.

Upheavals by slaves, like the Spartacus uprising, showed the deep discontent within Roman society.

Tribunes who proposed land reforms to address the plight of the poor and distribute land more fairly.

He allowed landless men to join the army and provided them with land after service, changing recruitment practices.

Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar formed an alliance to share power and influence in the Roman Republic.

He emerged as the sole leader, becoming dictator, and implemented reforms to address the problems.

After Caesar's assassination, a new conflict erupted, leading to another powerful trio: Lepidus, Antony, and Octavian.