Rome 6.2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are latifundia?

Huge estates owned by wealthy families

What problems did Roman expansion cause in the Republic?

Created huge social gaps between the wealthy and commoners; small farmers could not compete with large estates and became homeless and jobless; urban poor class grew rapidly.

What were the seeds to the Republic's collapse?

Corruption among the rich, discontent among the slaves, and resentment among the poor.

What is a triumvirate?

A group of three rulers Signup and view all the answers

What is a civil war?

A war between people of the same country Signup and view all the answers

Who was Julius Caesar?

Roman general who ended the Roman Republic and became dictator. Signup and view all the answers

What is an absolute ruler?

One who has total power Signup and view all the answers

Who were Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus?

Two brothers who served as Roman tribunes trying to address Rome's problems. Signup and view all the answers

What happened after the deaths of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus?

Total civil war occurred and many tried to gain power. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mercenary?

A hired soldier, a soldier of fortune. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics made Julius Caesar successful?

He was a strong leader and genius at war strategies, winning loyalty by sharing hardships. Signup and view all the answers

What caused Caesar's downfall?

Many senators feared his power and considered him a tyrant, leading to his assassination. Signup and view all the answers

What reforms did Caesar make after being elected as forever dictator?

Granted citizenship, expanded the senate, created jobs, started colonies, and increased soldier pay. Signup and view all the answers

What happened after Caesar's death?

Competition for power arose, leading to the second triumvirate and civil wars. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Octavian?

Part of the second triumvirate who became emperor and accepted the name Augustus. Signup and view all the answers

What was the second triumvirate?

Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Pax Romana?

The 'Roman Peace' during the reign of Augustus to Marcus Aurelius. Signup and view all the answers

What was the success of the Roman Empire based on?

A strong economy based on agriculture and trade, superb organization, and peaceful transfer of power. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Caligula?

Mentally unstable Roman Emperor who ruled for four years. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Nero?

Roman Emperor known for vice and persecution of Christians. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Domitian?

Roman emperor from 81 AD to 96 AD known for revamping currency. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Roman Expansion and Its Issues

Latifundia were vast estates owned by wealthy families, contributing to economic disparity.
Roman expansion created significant social gaps; small farmers struggled against large estates.
Post-expansion, urban poor made up about 25% of Rome's population, leading to increased homelessness and joblessness.

Factors Leading to Republic's Collapse

Corruption among the elite, coupled with discontent among slaves and resentment of the lower classes, fueled class tensions.
The assassination of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus marked the rise of violence in politics.

Key Political Structures

Triumvirate is a political alliance of three leaders, influencing Roman governance.
Civil wars erupted within Rome as military leaders vied for control, shifting loyalty from the republic to personal allegiances.

Julius Caesar's Rise and Fall

Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) was a prominent general who transformed the Roman Republic and was named dictator in 46 BC.
His military conquests, particularly in Gaul, and effective leadership earned him loyalty among soldiers and the populace.
As his power grew, resentment from senators culminated in his assassination by figures like Brutus and Cassius.

Caesar's Reforms

Caesar implemented reforms to grant citizenship to many, expanded the Senate, created jobs, and initiated land colonies for the landless.
Increased soldier pay was a key aspect of his reforms, aimed at solidifying military loyalty.

Aftermath of Caesar's Assassination

Following Caesar's murder, competition for power intensified leading to the formation of the second triumvirate.
Civil wars ensued, resulting in Octavian (Augustus) emerging as the unchallenged ruler.

The Second Triumvirate and Pax Romana

The second triumvirate included Mark Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian, marking a shift in power dynamics.
Pax Romana refers to a two-century period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire initiated by Augustus.

Roman Empire's Success Factors

The empire thrived due to a strong agricultural economy, effective governance, and peaceful successions among leaders.

Notable Emperors

Caligula's reign (only four years) was marked by instability and eccentric behavior leading to his assassination.
Nero (37-68), notorious for cruelty and luxury, is remembered for persecuting Christians and allegedly causing the Great Fire of Rome, despite economic prosperity under his rule.
Domitian (81-96 AD), the last of the Flavian dynasty, is known for currency reforms and reinforcing the economy.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key terms and concepts related to Roman expansion in the republic. Learn about the impacts of latifundia and the social disparities that arose as Rome grew. These flashcards will help reinforce your understanding of this pivotal historical period.