Study Guide SOL 6 Part 2: Roman Empire

Moral Decay

- Cause of Roman downfall - Decline in people doing the right or fair behavior.

Diocletian

..., Roman emperor who was faced with military problems, when that happend he decided to divide the empire between himself in the east and maximian in the west. he did the last persecution of the Christians

Caligula

...Caligula (37-41ce) fell ill and became crazy. Thought he was a god and tried to name his horse senator.

Nero

...Nero (54-68ce) was hated for his vanity and cruelty. People believed he started the great fire of 68ad. There were no more relatives of Caesar to take over so people began to fight for the throne.

Martyr

A martyr is someone who is killed for their beliefs. In the early stages of Christianity there were many martyrs who accepted death rather than denounce, reject, their faith.

Dictator

A person who held absolute power. in times of emergency, one of the two consuls would be appointed as dictator for six month at a time.

Panthenon

A temple in Rome dedicated to all gods of Roman Mythology Built over 2000 years ago and still stands in present day Made of concrete with bronze doors plated with gold Has a central opening in the dome known as the "Great Eye"

The Aeneid

Aeneid is an epic poem, which tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan, who traveled to Italy and became the ancestor to all Romans written by Virgil

Civil War

After the triumvirates civil war usually break out

Colosseum

Amphitheater built in the center of Rome Built over 2000 years ago and took around 10 years to complete Originally capable of seating around 50,000 people Used for gladiator matches and other public spectacles such as dramas and executions Made of a stone material Still stands today although it has begun to show wear and tear

Octavian/Augustus Caesar

Augustus Caesar (Octavian) established the Roman Empire by instituting civil service, rule by law, a common coinage, and secure travel and trade throughout the empire. Nephew and adoptive son of Julius Caesar Named political successor of Caesar before his death

Ides of March 44 BCE

Caesar was assassinated on 44 B.C., by a group of conspirators who believed that his death would lead to the restoration of the Roman Republic. However, the result of the "Ides of March" was to plunge Rome into a fresh round of civil wars, out of which Octavian, Caesar's grand-nephew, would emerge as Augustus, the first Roman emperor, destroying the republic forever.

Eastern Empire

Capital : Constantinople The Eastern part of the Roman Empire, now called the Byzantine Empire, was safe from the invasions of barbarian tribes. It was also situated in a great location for trade with eastern civilizations It remained successful and intact until the 1400's

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion, meaning the belief in one God. The early Christian Church developed the idea of the Trinity. This is the idea that the one God has three incarnations—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Ptolemy

Egyptian astronomer, mathematician, geographer, and astrologer Further developed the geocentric theory—Earth is the center of the universe Wrote The Almagest, a book which blended mathematics and astronomy

Constantine

Emperor from 306 to 337 C.E. However, Constantine converts to Christianity prior to major battle that actually wins him the throne. In 324 C.E. Constantine rebuilt the city of Byzantium on the Bosporus and named it Constantinople after himself. After Constantine's reign the Empire officially splits under Emperor Theodosius into two separate civilizations

Theodosius

Emperor of the Roman Empire who made Christianity the official religion of the empire.

467 CE

Empire Ends In 476 C.E. the last official Roman Emperor, Augustulus Romulus was overthrown by a Germanic General called Odovacar (also known as Odoacer) This marked an official end to what we call the Roman Empire. Rome will never regain its power or dominance of the reign. Eventually the civilization is broken apart and swallowed into other kingdoms that rise in Europe.

Public Baths (Roman Baths)

Hot and cold pools where Romans gathered for bathing and for social interaction (these baths were separated by gender) Romans became more interested in sanitation in order to prevent sickness

27 BCE

In 27 BCE, 3 years after he finally defeats Antony, Octavian offers his powers back to the senate... they graciously decline and insist that he keep them.

Jesus of Nazareth

Jesus was the son of Virgin Mary and Joseph. He was born around 14CE was raised as a Hebrew. Eventually became a teacher of a religion known as Christianity. Jesus traveled all over the area of Judea, performing miracles of healing and defending the poor. Jesus' teachings were for all people regardless of wealth or social status. His teaching promised forgiveness and eternal life (or life after death) for those that accepted the Christian God.

Western Empire

Known for Dome Structures The Western Empire was not as fortunate It suffered from weak leaders and recurring attacks by Germanic tribes

Cleopatra

Marc Antony wife who he begins an affair with.. same lady that had Caesar's baby She helps Antony with his plan that angers Octavain Travel back and forth was finally Cleopatra was captured and held hostage by Octavain's forces Later, Cleopatra kills herself a few days after, by letting a poisonous snake bit.her

Julius Caesar

Members of the 1st Triumvirate Julius Caesar is killed on March 15th 44BCE Although the senators had killed the most powerful man in Roman politics, the Republic was still crumbling. Not long after Caesar's death, his nephew (and adopted son) Octavian, came to power in the 2nd triumvirate.

2nd Triumvirate

Members: Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus The 3 men did not simply walk into the forum after Caesar's death and take power The 3 men split up the vast Roman Republic (still not an Empire yet!) for ruling responsibilities

5 Good Emperors

Nerva (96-98ce) was chosen to rule by the people. Trajan (98-117ce) was well liked and expanded the empire east. Hadrian (117-138ce) built Hadrian's wall marking the northern border of the Roman Empire in Britain. Antoninus (138-161ce) was named pius probably because of his continued praise of Hadrian even after his death. Marcus Aurelius (161-180ce) was not only an emperor.

Economic Impact of the Pax Romana

Not only did they make a uniform system of law but they also made a uniform system of money. Augustus made all coins out of silver and called them denarius. This form of money could be used in any part of the Empire. This helped to stabilize the economy and expand trade within the empire.

Pax Romana

One of Augustus' accomplishments was establishing a peace throughout the empire that lasted more than two centuries. This two hundred year period was called the Pax Romana. This Period was the height of Roman civilization in several respects.

Marc Antony

One of Caesar's friend Lieutenant in Caesar's Army

Patricians

Patricians were powerful landowners who controlled the government and society.

Romance Language

Referred to as Romance Language as serious content was written in Latin; whereas, other stories (romances) were written in vernacular (native language)

Arch

Roman Arches are structurally sound and visually appealing. Semicircle built from arched bricks Arches were commonly found in aqueducts, palaces, and amphitheaters They are everywhere in Rome.

Paul

The Apostle Paul of Tarsus is perhaps the most influential early Christian missionary.

Forum

The Forum was the center of politics, trade and business. Citizens would gather here to listen to orators, talk about policy and conduct meetings. This is where the 12 tables were.

Latin

The Latin language became the dominant language of Western Europe.

Plebeians

The Plebeians were the farmers and workers who made up the most of population in Ancient Rome

Constantinople

The capital of the eastern Roman Empire Named by Constantine Eventually it would become the official capital of the entire Empire.

Pope

The patriarch of Rome soon took the title Pope, from the Latin word meaning "father", and claimed to be supreme over all the other patriarchs.

Bible

The teachings of Jesus spread quickly through his various sermons and were eventually recorded in the New Testament of the Bible.Romance Languages developed from Latin such as Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. The early Christian Church (the Catholic Church) uses Latin and Bibles written until the 17th century are all in Latin. Latin would go on to be the dominate language for formal documentation such as scientific names, legal terms and is used as the root for the major languages in the West.

Social Impact of the Pax Romana

There was a decrease in slavery that opened up more jobs for the poor. For a little while a was even stability between the various social classes. The gap between the rich and poor became less and patricians and plebeians were more at peace with one another.

Political Impact of the Pax Romana

Various job opportunities though the government, known as "civil service" jobs, were created to help with unemployment. Remember that unemployment was a big problem in the Republic and contributed to its decline. Providing jobs helped to lessen the gap between the rich and poor.

Virgil

Virgil was a classical Roman poet Commissioned by the Emperor Augustus Virgil used this epic to glorify traditional Roman virtues (such as honor, bravery, Industriousness, and duty) Wrote Aeneid

Triumvirate

a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority

Aqueduct

a structure that carries water over long distances uses for public baths looks like a bridge

Roman Roads

allowed for better military transportation and facilitated trade throughout their empire. Cities grew larger and more powerful. Appian Way, 53,000 miles make up all the Roman roads, User-contributed everyone could share supplies, 55,000miles of roads, communication, soldiers Was well Expanded

Devaluation

an official lowering of a nation's currency

Apostles

followers associated most closely with Jesus

Germanic Tribes

invaded the Roman Empire from the North and East, caused the fall of Rome

1st Triumvirate

mainly civil wars Reason's the Republic Fell -Political Corruption -Military loyalty shifts (to commanders) -Rule of the 1st Triumvirate and civil wars.

12 Tables

romes first written law code. Strict seperation between patricians and plebians

" Innocent until Proven Guilty"

rule that a defendant must be considered innocent until it can be proven that he/she is guilty

Odovacar/Odoacer

the last official Roman Emperor, Augustulus Romulus was overthrown by a Germanic General called Odovacar (also known as Odoacer)

Gladiator

Slaves forced to fight to death with humans and wild animals