Rome Study Guide Flashcards

Roman Political Structure

• Republic: A system where citizens with voting rights hold supreme power.
• Senate: The assembly responsible for high legislative authority.
• Consul: One of two officials who governed the ancient Roman Republic.

Key Historical Figures

• Julius Caesar: Military leader who became Dictator; played a critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
• Augustus: First emperor who established the Roman Principate, marking the transition from the Republic to an empire.
• Constantine: Roman Emperor (280-337) who embraced Christianity, ending persecutions against Christians.
• Diocletian: An emperor who divided the empire to better manage military and administrative challenges.

Religion and Culture

• Jesus: A Jewish prophet, viewed by Christians as the Son of God, whose teachings led to the founding of Christianity.
• Christ: Title attributed to Jesus, signifying his role and legacy in Christian faith.
• Peter: Leader of the apostles and key figure in early Christianity.
• Paul: A missionary to non-Jews, significant in spreading Christian teachings beyond Jewish communities.
• Greco-Roman Culture: A blend of Greek and Roman cultural elements, influencing art, philosophy, and governance.

Significant Events and Concepts

• Pax Romana: A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire.
• Diaspora: Refers to Jewish communities living outside of Israel, particularly significant in the post-Temple period.
• Punic Wars: A series of three conflicts between Rome and Carthage, ending in Roman victory and expansion.
• Roman Decline: Factors contributing to decline included barbarian invasions, excessive military spending, inflation, and political corruption.

Social Structure

• Patricians: The elite landowning class influencing politics and societal norms.
• Plebeians: The majority population, composed of farmers, artisans, and merchants, often struggling for rights against the Patricians.

Cultural Contributions

• Aeneid: An epic poem by Virgil that narrates the story of the Trojan War and the founding of Rome.
• Latin: The language of ancient Rome, with dialects shaping various Romance languages.

Daily Life and Legacy

• Life for Romans often included severe hardships, wars, and a generally low quality of life.
• Cultural remnants include Roman temples, public games, and monuments like the Pantheon, highlighting the empire's former grandeur.

Explore key terms and concepts of Ancient Rome with these flashcards. This study guide covers essential vocabulary including Republic, Senate, and significant figures like Julius Caesar. Perfect for students of Roman history to reinforce their understanding.