Classics 102: Rome's Last King

Questions and Answers

Who was Rome's last king known for his arrogance and cruel actions?

Servius Tullius

Tarquinius Superbus (the Arrogant) (correct)

Tarquinius Priscus

None of the above

What does the Latin term paterfamilias refer to?

The man who has power of life and death over all members of his familia and legally controls all their property.

The organization of the Comitia Centuriata was based on what?

The Roman army - members had to be able to afford their own armor.

What is the practice of divination from the movement of birds called?

Augury/ auspicia Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to household gods and sacred boundaries:

Lares & Penates = Household gods Militae = War Pomerium = Sacred boundary Domi = At home Signup and view all the answers

Who were the last group to vote in Rome's traditional voting assembly?

The proletarii (non-combatants) Signup and view all the answers

Which battle did Hannibal famously defeat Rome in 216 BCE?

Battle of Cannae Signup and view all the answers

What famous event is traditionally dated to 753 BCE?

The Founding of Rome Signup and view all the answers

What was NOT part of Cato the Elder's career?

Translating Homer's Odyssey from Greek into Latin Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'pietas' refer to in Roman culture?

Dutiful respect or reverence owed to parents, children, and relatives. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name given to the heavy spiked plank used in naval warfare?

The corvus (raven) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'fides/deditio in fidem' mean?

Surrender in good faith to the Romans Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'gloria' in a military context?

Military glory, spoils pass on to family Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Magna Graecia' refer to?

'Great Greece'; The areas in southern Italy and Sicily where many Greek colonies were established Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Manipular Legion'?

The military formation to increase flexibility and improve the ability to relieve troops Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the fetial procedure?

A priest who travels to other places stating that Rome demands war if their conditions are not met Signup and view all the answers

What happened during the Siege of Saguntum?

In 219 BC, during the Second Punic War, Hannibal attacked Saguntum, which went to Rome for help. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Polybius?

Hellenistic historian that wrote a thorough history of the Mediterranean region from 264-146 BC Signup and view all the answers

What is Livy known for?

Historian of the Roman Republic who wrote about the struggle between plebeians and patricians Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about Hannibal's march through the Alps?

Hannibal marched to Rome with 90k soldiers, 10k horses, 37 elephants; most of the animals died Signup and view all the answers

Who was Scipio Africanus?

Roman general who commanded the invasion of Carthage in the Second Punic War and defeated Hannibal at Zama Signup and view all the answers

Who was Scipio Aemilianus?

Roman senator who defeated Carthage and favored the assimilation of Greek culture Signup and view all the answers

What phrase is associated with Cato the Censor?

'Carthage must be destroyed' Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Anacyclosis' refer to?

Cyclical theory of political evolution Signup and view all the answers

What event is described by 146 BCE?

The fall of Carthage Signup and view all the answers

What notable battle took place in 202 BCE?

Battle of Zama Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Patricians?

Senatorial aristocratic families tracing lineage back to Rome's earliest period Signup and view all the answers

What defines an equestrian in ancient Rome?

Non-patrician who qualifies for citizenship by income level, originally indicated people who could buy a horse for cavalry Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Plebeians?

Members of the lower class of Ancient Rome including farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between a patron and client?

Patron provides legal defense, food, protection; client gives physical support during elections and votes for the patron Signup and view all the answers

What do the terms 'prenomen, nomen, cognomen' refer to?

Informal name 1st, clan name 2nd, small family name 3rd Signup and view all the answers

What was a voting century?

100 people who voted, later changed Signup and view all the answers

What was the Curiate Assembly?

Only 30 original patricians could vote, used until the 3rd century Signup and view all the answers

What was the assembly of plebs?

Group of plebs elected by the tribe to vote, power to veto senate Signup and view all the answers

What happened during the Revolt of 494 BC?

Plebs seceded to Aventine Hill, threatened by the state, later tribunes were elected as representatives of the plebs Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Latifundia' mean?

Huge estates bought up by newly wealthy Roman citizens Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Populares and Optimates'?

Two principal patrician political groups during the later Roman Republic Signup and view all the answers

What does 'senatus consultum ultimum' signify?

Final decree that the senate beseeches the consuls and magistrates to do what is necessary to preserve the Republic Signup and view all the answers

What does 'sacrosanctity' refer to?

Something very sacred; holiness; inviolability Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Prorogation' mean?

Extended term of general and governors of office Signup and view all the answers

What is a Proconsul?

A person who can stand in for a consul Signup and view all the answers

Who was Phillip V of Macedon?

King of Macedon who defeated a combined army of Thebes and Athens; father of Alexander the Great Signup and view all the answers

Who was Perseus of Macedon?

Last King of the Antigonid Dynasty, son of Philip V, tries to create Greek alliance against Rome Signup and view all the answers

Who was Titus Quinctius Flaminius?

Consul in charge of war, lover of Greek culture Signup and view all the answers

What is known about the Gracchi brothers (Tiberius & Gaius)?

They were reformers involved in conflict between aristocrats during 133-121 BC Signup and view all the answers

Who was Cornelia?

Mother of the Gracchi brothers, daughter of Scipio Africanus Signup and view all the answers

Who was Lucius Opimius?

Enemy of the Gracchus family, created a mob to kill Gaius; senator consul; accused Gaius of murdering his servant Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Kings of Rome

Tarquinius Superbus: Last king, associated with arrogance; deposed after the rape of a noblewoman.
Servius Tullius: Credited with institutional changes and constructing the Servian Wall; met an end due to conspiracy.
Tarquinius Priscus: Initiated Rome’s sewer system and chariot racing.

Roman Family Structure

Paterfamilias: Head of the family with ultimate authority over life, death, and property.

Roman Political Systems

Comitia Centuriata: Voting assembly structured around military service; members required to afford armor.
Proletarii: Last group to vote in assemblies, consisting mainly of the non-combatant lower classes.

Religious Practices

Augury: Divination through bird movement.
Lares & Penates: Household gods honored by families in Rome.

Foundational History

Founding of Rome: Dated to 753 BCE, tied to the legend of Romulus and Remus.
The Twelve Tables: Early codification of Roman law in the mid-5th century BCE.
Romulus and Remus: Mythical twins who are linked to the city’s origins.

Roman Military Conflicts

Battle of Cannae (216 BCE): Hannibal’s decisive victory over a larger Roman force through superior tactics.
Battle of Zama (202 BCE): Scipio defeats Hannibal, marking a turning point in the Second Punic War.

Cultural Developments

Pax Deorum: The concept of peace between the gods and the Roman state; vital for stability.
Roman Religion: Romans practiced rituals ensuring favor with powerful spirits or numina.

Gens, Curiae, Tribe: Organizational units of society; gens for family, curiae for local groups, and tribes as broader social units.
Nomen and Cognomen: Names system; nomen for family name and cognomen for individual distinction.

Foreign Relations

Carriage of War: Roman strategies that led to military dominance, often including the concept of deditio in fidem for peaceful surrender.

Key Historical Figures

Cato the Elder: Statesman noted for opposition to Carthage and writings on agriculture.
Polybius: Historian who documented Rome's rise and the Punic Wars.

Concepts and Practices

Do ut des: Reciprocal relationship in Roman religion; sacrifices for divine favor.
Haruspicy: Etruscan method of interpreting omens by examining animal entrails.
Flamens: Priests overseeing specific deities in Rome.

The Julian Calendar

Janus: A deity representing past and future, critical for understanding Roman time and transitions.

Important Locations

Palatine Hill: Significant aristocratic area; believed site of Romulus and Remus' upbringing.
Circus Maximus: Major venue for public games and chariot races.

The Third Punic War

Impacts of War: Establishment of Roman dominance in the Mediterranean and reshaping of political alliances.

Roman Expansion

Cyprus: Key strategic location during expansions, particularly in naval engagements.
Latin League: Alliance against external threats.

Roman Economy and Culture

Carthage: Established as a trading power; significant conflicts with Rome over territory and trade routes.
Veteran Colonies: Urban centers promoting Romanization, essential for spreading Latin culture and governance.

Historical Events Timeline

509 BCE: Establishment of the Roman Republic after kingship ended.
390 BCE: Rome sacked by the Gauls, marking a significant military defeat and transformation.

Additional Notes

Bacchanalian Conspiracy: Event reflecting societal tensions and control, highlighting fears of moral decay.
Sibylline Oracles: Influential prophecies that shaped Roman religious and political practices.

These notes encapsulate crucial aspects of Roman history, religion, governance, and military strategies, highlighting the complexity and richness of Roman civilization.### Historians and Political Theories

Livy: Notable historian of the Roman Republic, chronicled the conflict between plebeians and patricians, emphasized nationalism.
Anacyclosis: A cyclical theory explaining political evolution through a repeating pattern of government styles.

Military Figures and Events

Hannibal: Carthaginian general who led an army of 90,000 soldiers and 37 elephants over the Alps, suffering significant losses.
Scipio Africanus: Roman general credited for invading Carthage during the Second Punic War and defeating Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in 202 BCE.
Scipio Aemilianus: Roman senator and son of Scipio Africanus, responsible for the destruction of Carthage in 146 BCE.

Patricians: Elite class in Rome, comprising less than 10% of the population, tracing ancestry to early Roman history.
Plebeians: Lower class citizens including farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders, forming the majority of the population.
Equestrians: Non-patricians who achieved citizenship based on income; originally denoted those who could afford cavalry horses.

Political Labor Dynamics

Patron-Client Relationship: Patrons provided legal and physical support in exchange for political allegiance and voting influence during elections.
Curiate Assembly: Early voting body limited to 30 original patricians, remained active until the 3rd century.
Assembly of Plebs: A political group representing plebeians, had the power to veto decisions made by the Senate.

Key Events in Roman Political History

Revolt of 494 BCE: Plebeians' secession to Aventine Hill, leading to establishment of tribunes as representatives.
Aventine Secession: Historical political event where dissenters set up an alternative assembly on Aventine Hill, claiming legitimacy and representation.
Senatus Consultum Ultimum: Final decree empowering consuls to act decisively to preserve the Republic during crises, which led to violent confrontations, including the deaths of Gracchus and Flaccus along with thousands of citizens.

Cultural Influences and Economic Structures

Latifundia: Large estates created by wealthy Roman citizens that transformed economic structures.
Populares and Optimates: Prominent patrician political factions during the late Roman Republic, both representing the interests of the wealthier classes.

Notable Individuals

Cato the Censor: Asserted the phrase "Carthage must be destroyed," highlighting his stance on the conflict with Carthage.
Cornelia: Mother of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, daughter of Scipio Africanus, instrumental in the political reform movement.
Lucius Opimius: Political adversary of the Gracchi, orchestrated the mob violence against Gaius Gracchus, accused him of murder.

Governance and Political Maneuvers

Prorogation: Refers to the extension of terms for generals and governors in office.
Proconsul: An official holding authority in place of a consul, often serving in provincial governance.

Macedonian Influence

Philip V of Macedon: Ruler who defeated a coalition of Thebes and Athens, setting the stage for Macedonian dominance and fathering Alexander the Great.
Perseus of Macedon: Last king of the Antigonid dynasty, attempted to unite Greek city-states against Rome.
Titus Quinctius Flaminius: Roman consul and military leader passionate about Greek culture.

Reform Movement

The Gracchi Brothers: Tiberius and Gaius, reform-minded figures during 133-121 BCE, their actions led to significant conflict with the aristocratic class, illustrating class tensions in Rome.

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