Term | Definition |
Romulus & Remus | legendary twin brothers in the founding of Rome; raised by a wolf |
Romulus | killed his brother and then founded Rome |
Remus | was killed by his brother who founded Rome |
Republic | a form of government in which leaders are elected to represent the people |
Patricians | the upper social class of ancient Rome; wealthy and politically powerful |
Plebeians | the lower social class of ancient Rome; poor; 95% of the population |
Senate | group of 300 Patricians elected to govern Rome; served for life |
Consuls | 2 chief leaders of Rome |
Conflict of the Orders | struggle between Patricians and Plebeians for political power |
Tribunes of the Plebs | Plebeians elected to represent Plebeians in government |
Veto | refuse to approve proposed laws; Plebeians had power of veto |
Council of Plebs | lawmaking body that only governed Plebs |
Twelve Tables | tablets of written laws |
Constitution | a set of basic laws |
Separation of powers/Checks & balances | limitations of government that ensure too much power doesn't fall into the hands of any one person or office |
Julius Caesar | successful general; "Dictator for Life," beloved by the Plebeians for his reforms; assassinated by the Senate, who feared his growing power |
Gaul | modern-day France; conquered and added to Rome's territory by Caesar |
dictator | a leader with absolute power; Roman dictators usually only served in an emergency, and for 6 months |
Carthage | Phoenician city in North Africa who rivaled Rome for control of Sicily and other Mediterranean locations; fought Rome in the Punic Wars |
Punic Wars | series of wars between Carthage (Phoenicians) and Rome; Rome won; led to control of the Mediterranean |
Hannibal | Carthaginian general who led Carthage in the Punic Wars |
Spartacus | slave who led a revolt (unsuccessful, died in battle) |
Pompey | Roman general who fought Caesar for control of Rome; was defeated |