Rome (Punic Wars through the Fall of Rome)

Diocletian

- (245-313) Emperor of Rome who was responsible for dividing Rome into different provinces and districts. Eventually, the eastern portions of the Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire. - Demanded Christians convert to the Roman religion and executed those that didn't

Fall of Rome

- 476 CE - inflation - corruption - disease - constant attacks from various Germanic tribes - capital moved east (caused the empire to focus on the east more so than the west) - frontier generals fighting for power - empire was too big and expensive to maintain

Goals of First Triumvirate

- Caesar--> become Consul, gain wealth and fame - Pompey--> land for his soldiers (also for himself) - Crassus--> more wealth and political power

General improvements of the empire during the time of the "Good Emperors"

- The "Good Emperors" spent time and money to help the poor of Rome. They also focused on helping orphans. - During this period, these emperors also built many roads, aqueducts, bridges, etc. - Agriculture and trade improved during this time period

Accomplishments of Augustus

- first emperor of Rome - Began the Pax Romana (about 200 years of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire) - rebuilt over 80 temples - built countless miles of roads, aqueducts, forums, etc. (*I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble) - strengthened the army - doubled the size of the empire - instituted a system of taxation and census - Praetorian Guard - postal service, fire and police dept.

Nero

- known for his cruelty, especially to Christians - Emperor during the Great Fire in Rome - began as a nice, friendly, and charismatic ruler... ended as a cruel, borderline insane emperor.

Constantine

- moved the capital east to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople - First emperor to convert to Christianity

Commodus

-Roman Emperor who succeeded his father, Marcus Aurelius, and began the decline of the Roman Empire. - ended the Pax Romana - loved the gladiator games - very cruel.... forced "undesirables" to fight in the colosseum

Hadrian

-one of the "Good Emperors" of Rome - built a defensive wall in Britain (Hadrian's Wall) - one of the best educated emperors - very peaceful ruler... abandoned the expansionist policies of Trajan - loved Greek architecture and built the Pantheon.

Trajan

-one of the "Good Emperors" of Rome - first non-Italian emperor (born in Spain) - expanded Rome to its largest size - set up cash accounts to help the poor, created schools to educate orphans, assisted poor farmers, and returned property confiscated by previous emperors

Spartacus

A Roman gladiator who led the most serious slave revolt in Roman history from 73 to 71 B.C.E.

Century

A group of 100 Roman soldiers

Cohort

A military unit of the Roman army consisting of about 600 soldiers

Legion

A military unit of the Roman army usually consisting of around 6,000 soldiers

Punic Wars

A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage (264-146 B.C.); resulted in the destruction of Carthage and Rome's dominance over the western Mediterranean.

When did Rome win Spain from Carthage?

After winning the Second Punic War

When and why was Caesar assassinated?

Caesar was killed on March 15, 44 BCE. He was murdered by conspirators in the Senate who felt he was too powerful and wanted to rule for life as a king... AKA they were fearful they would lose all their own power and influence.

Caesar vs. Pompey

Caesar was ordered to return from Gaul without his army to face trial for his "crimes." Senate had sided with Pompey and made him the sole consul of Rome. Caesar instead returns with his army (***Crossing the Rubicon/ the die is cast). Pompey and the Senate flee to Greece where eventually Caesar defeats their armies.

Hannibal

Carthaginian military commander who, in the Second Punic War, attempted a surprise attack on Rome, crossing the Alps with a large group of soldiers, horses, and elephants.

Who did Caesar support in a civil war in Egypt?

Cleopatra

Pompey and Crassus used their influence in the Senate to get Caesar which political position?

Consul

What caused the First Punic War to begin?

Fighting over Sicily and control of trade in the western Mediterranean

Julius Caesar conquered which area (that is mostly modern-day France)?

Gaul

How did Octavian take power in Rome?

He and Antony eliminated the senators that conspired against Caesar. He later defeated Antony in battle. Octavian was smarter with the way he took power and did it slowly and legally. He also was able to work with the Senate and they continually gave him more power. Eventually, he had taken absolute power and became emperor of Rome.

First Triumvirate

Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus

Latifundia

Large farming estates owned by wealthy Romans

"Good Emperors" of Rome

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, Marcus Aurelius

The Second Triumvirate

Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus

What impact did the abundance of slaves have on poor farmers?

Poor farmers found it difficult to find jobs. Smaller land owners had a hard time competing with the owners of Latifundia and those that utilized slave labor. Caused many to move to the cities to find work, which in turn caused over crowding and allowed generals to use the situation to their advantage (for example, Marius paying poor Romans to join his army)

Scipio Africanus

Roman general that defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama

Tiberius Gracchus

Roman tribune who wanted to take land from the wealthy (that they had illegally taken) and give it to the poor

Event that marked the beginning of the Roman Empire

The naming of Octavian as 'Augustus'

What happened to Pompey in Egpyt?

the Pharaoh (Ptolemy) had him beheaded. Later presented his head to Caesar.