Punic Wars
A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage. Rome was victorious and emerged as the dominant force in the Mediterranean.
Martial Law
When citizen’s rights are suspended and the military is given special powers to police a country or society.
Optimates
Political faction that believed the purpose of government was to serve the richest and most accomplished people in society. Led by Sulla.
Populares
Political faction that believed government should focus on serving the majority of people. Led by Marius.
Julius Caesar
A Roman patrician who earned fame as a general and politician. Eventually took power in Rome and declared himself Dictator for life.
Republic
A representative democracy
Dictatorship
A form of government where one person has all the power and maintains that power by force.
Augustus Caesar
Julius Caesar’s adopted son and successor. The first true Emperor of Rome who helped start the period known as Pax Romana.
Pax Romana
A 207 year period where Rome is at its largest, wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential.
Christianity
A monotheistic religion based around the teachings of Jesus Christ
The Gracchi Brothers (Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus)
Two brothers that rose to power in Rome but were killed by Patricians for trying to pass laws that helped Plebeians.
The Civil War of Marius and Sulla
A Roman civil war where Sulla emerged as the victor. After which, he named himself temporary dictator of Rome. Marked the beginning of the end for representative democracy in Rome.
Factors that contributed to the decline of Rome’s Republic
- Increasing inequality - Despite Rome’s successes, the rich continued to get richer and the poor, poorer.
- Ineffective government - Rome’s government failed to address the issues that were leading to Plebeian life getting worse.
- Loss of faith in government - Romans saw the Republic as unable to solve their problems and began turning to others, such as military generals, for help.
- Increase in political violence - More and more, Romans began using violence as a way of influencing government actions and decisions.
Political Impacts of the Pax Romana
- Creation of a centralized system of government
- Establishment of a professional army
- Expansion of cities throughout the empire that acted as centers for local governance and administration
- Conquest of new area that saw Rome in control of 2 million square miles of territory.
Economic Impacts of the Pax Romana
- Access to large amounts of resources and food which encouraged trade and commerce.
- Construction of roads and ports throughout the empire which allowed trade and travel to thrive.
- Creation of a common currency that was used across all of Roman territory.
Social Impacts of the Pax Romana
- Spread of Roman citizenship to people outside of Rome and Italy
- Creation of a culturally diverse empire
- Increased luxuries for wealthy elite
Cultural Impacts of the Pax Romana
- Creation of major architectural works like the Colosseum and the Pantheon
- Spread of Roman culture, such as language, throughout the Empire.
- Creation of major works of art and literature
Edict of Milan
Issued by the Emperor Constantine, this law made Christianity and Judaism legal throughout the Roman Empire.
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Renaissance/Reformation Test16
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Asia Quiz11
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West Africa Quiz7
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Islam and Middle East Quiz11
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Unit 08 Test19
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Medieval Towns/Black Death Quiz10
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Unit 07 Test20
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Barbarians of Europe Quiz10
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Impact of the Fall of Rome Quiz8
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Byzantine Empire Quiz10
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Unit 04 Test18
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Unit 03 Test15
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Roman Social Structure and Government9
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Roman Origins and Geography10
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Unit 02 Test20
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Greek Geography and Government8
