Ancient Rome

Cornelia

(190 BC- 100BC)Cornelia was the second daughter of Scipio Africanus, the hero of the Second Punic War, and Aemilia Paula. She is remembered as being an example of a virtuous Roman woman. She is also the mother of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, who would defy the political ( big influence Stoicsm) institutions of Rome, with their attempts at popular reforms.

Fabius Maximus

(218-201 BC) Chosen as dictator when Hannibal was at Rome's gate to save them. Followed Hannibal around, killing his stragglers and laying waste to Italy, destroying his supplies and provisions so that Hannibal could not provide for his army eventually defeating him.

Twelve Tables

(450 BC)Roman law that was written on twelve tablets of wood. These meant that the consuls could no longer interpret Roman law as they saw fit. This was the first great step in Roman law.

Concordia Ordinum

(60 BC)An idea set forth by Cicero. He aspired to a republican system dominated by a ruling aristocratic class of men. Concordia ordinum, an alliance between the senators and the equites. This "harmony between the social classes," demonstrated Cicero's foresight as a statesman. He understood that fundamental change to the organization and the distribution of power within the Republic was required to secure its future.

Cataline

(65 BC)Began his career under Sulla. Selected by Crassus to increase his fame. But he was incredibly bloodthirsty, and was said to have murdered his own brother. He ran for consul many times, and lost each time. In 63 BCE, he planned an overthrow of the government. He was found out, and martial law was declared. Cataline was killed in battle.

Lucullus

(68 BC)A general put in charge of putting down Mithridates. Lived the good life even while commanding an army. He repelled Mithridates into Armenia until his army rebelled against him, allowing Mithridates to reinvade. Equestrians hated him, which helped the rebellion among his men. His army was eventually taken over by Pompey.

Year of the 4 Emperors

(68-69AD): After Nero died Julio-Claudian dynasty ended, the government was incredibly unstable. Praetorian Guard and army were able to make or break an emperor. Army wanted to keep the principate. Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian, all either feared or respected by the Army. Vespasian managed to start Flavian Dynasty. Army serves far away from Rome, away from Emperor, so they listen and trust their general, not emperor.

Spartacus

(73 BC)A Thracian gladiator who was one of the slave leader in the Slave Revolts, a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. The gladiator rebellion, interpreted by some as an example of oppressed people fighting for their freedom against a slave-owning oligarchy, has been an inspiration to many political thinkers. Spartacus fought against Crassus too. Crassus pins Spartacus and kills him. Ends the revolts.

Titus

(79-81AD): part of the Flavian Dynasty, son of Vespasian. became emperor, he was a spendthrift and a good soldier. He was handsome, strong, and wrote poetry and enjoyed literature. People scared he would become a second Nero. A Roman boyscout, liked to spend his days contributing to Rome or helping Roman people. He only reigned 2 years, during those two years Vesuvius erupted and great fire in Rome).

Sejanus

31 AD member of the Palace Guard during Tiberius' reign. Tiberius was old and scared, he did not trust the people and his paranoia made him believe people were plotting against him, so he put his trust in Sejanus. This was a mistake because Sejanus was the one who was plotting against him. With this power, Sejanus put to death many innocent senators. Tiberius was hated, put to death in 37 AD, not necessarily bad ruler himself, but his trust in Sejanus led to his downfall

Actium

31BCE): battle between Octavian and combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. The second Triumvirate broke apart, and Mark Antony and Cleopatra became lovers, so Mark Antony became the stepfather to Caesar's son, Caesarion. This threatened the Roman Republic and Octavian's claim to the throne, the Senate also did not want Egyptians coming in to rule. Octavian won this naval battle, so it consolidated his power and his claim to the throne, and was named leader of Rome and Princeps and later on Augustus (revered one). Start of pax romana.

Optimates

133 BC : They were the traditionalist Senatorial majority of the late Roman Republic. They wished to limit the power of the popular assemblies and the Tribunes of the Plebs, and to extend the power of the Senate. The aristocrats who opposed the Populares. The party of the best people. Wanted to prevent generals from accruing power by military means. Wanted to extend the power of the Senate.

Populares

133 BC were leaders in the late Roman Republic who relied on the people's assemblies and tribunate to acquire political power. They are regarded in modern scholarship as in opposition to the optimates, who are identified with the conservative interests of a senatorial elite. The populares themselves, however, were also of senatorial rank and might be patricians, noble plebeians or Equites.

Res Gestae

14 AD. Is the funerary inscription of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, giving a first-person record of his life and accomplishments.[1] The Res Gestae is especially significant because it gives an insight into the image Augustus portrayed to the Roman people. Various inscriptions of the Res Gestae have been found scattered across the former Roman Empire.

Zama

202 BCE. Battle of Zama. Hannibal Returns to Africa and meets the Roman army 80 miles south of Carthage. Scipio Africanus is their to confront him. The Romans opened their lines, allowing the Elephants to pass through. Hannibal was soundly defeated, this ended the second Punic War. And will ultimate lead to the destruction of Carthage.

Edict of Caracalla

212 AD. Law that declared all free men in the Roman Empire were to be given full Roman citizenship and all free women in the Empire were to be given the same rights as Roman women. Before then, only inhabitants of Italia held full Roman citizenship. Divisions between Romans and provincials were obliterated. Led to army recruiting difficulties.

Julia Mamaea

222AD-235AD): part of Severan Dynasty, basically stand in ruler for her 14-year-old son, Alexander Serverus. She basically ruled, and this was uncommon. She gave advice to her son and had the most powerful, especially for a woman. Army could not respect this, so they killed Alexander and Julia.

Valerian

255 AD. Roman Emperor reigning from 253 to 260 AD. Appointed his son Gallienus to rule the West while he went East to repel the Persian invasion. Only Emperor to be taken captive alive by King Shapur I. His rule marked a low point of Roman history. His capture paralleled the dissolution of the Empire, as it was divided into 3 parts and evolved into a feudal Christian state.

Sextus Pompey

35 BC. Son of Pompey the Great. Opposed second triumvirate. Death important because it was used against Antony by Octavius.

Philippics

44 B.C.E) A series of 14 speeches given by Cicero in the Senate aimed at Marc Antony. He had no respect for Antony and after Caesar died he aimed to get rid of him. It was damaging to Marc Antony but not enough so and the speeches failed. This lead to the second proscriptions and Cicero was killed by the Second Triumvirates.

Lepidus

44 BC. Member of the Second Triumvirate with Marc Antony and Octavian. Was in control of Africa but was not as influential as Antony or Octavian. Strong supporter of Caesar. Served as a balance of power in the 2nd Triumvirate. Gradually lost influence and was eventually exiled.

Sosigenes

45 BC Greek astronomer and mathematician, probably from Alexandria, employed by Julius Caesar to devise the Julian calendar. At the conclusion of the Roman civil war , Caesar set out to replace the multitude of inaccurate and diverse calendars of the Roman commonwealth with a single official calendar. At the suggestion of Sosigenes, he adopted a modification of the 365-day Egyptian solar calendar but with an extra day every fourth year (leap year). With minor modifications the Julian calendar is the same as the modern Gregorian calendar.

Pharsalus

48BCE: decisive battle in Caesar's civil war against Pompey. Caesar had less men and they were exhausted, so Caesar had less of an advantage. However, he still beat Pompey. Pompey is defeated, and they flee to Egypt for safety, however, Pompey is killed by Ptolemy XIV as a "favor" to Caesar, but Caesar plays it off as an insult to Romans, "only Romans can shed Roman blood," great political move, pardons Pompey's men.

Rubicon

49BCE: frontier between Gaul and Italy, the laws in Rome forbade an army general to cross, but Caesar did it anyway, thus starting a civil war between him and Pompey. However, Caesar was confident in his followers and their loyalty and managed to recruit other Italians and people from Gaul to his cause, AND he was able to operate from Mediterraneans central point to govern Italy at the same time.

Catullus

84 - 54 BC. Latin poet who wrote love poetry addressed to Lesbia (Claudia) infamous sister of Roman politician, money is greatest aphrodisiac, rich old men attracted to young ladies, describes love of Italy also. Ciceronian age a Period of time when things were solid, literature and art was able to flourish.

Nerva

96-98 AD First of the 5 Good emperors, of the Augustan line, he only ruled for two years. He was important because not only was he a competent ruler, but he started the trend of adopting a successor instead of passing it down to a blood relative. He was also important because his adopted successor was Trajan, a Spaniard, not of Italian/Roman blood. Nerva was open to other cultures and set the trend for adoptions, which proved to be a good practice. The rule of 5 good emperors was only ruined when Marcus Aurelius left the throne to his son instead of adopting.

De Rerum Natura

99 BC - c. 55 BC. Is a first-century BC didactic poem by the Roman poet and philosopher Lucretius. with the goal of explaining Epicurean philosophy to a Roman audience. Lucretius presents the principles of atomism; the nature of the mind and soul; explanations of sensation and thought; the development of the world and its phenomena

Consulta

: 500 BC: Consulta was the opinion of the senate; Consul listened to the senate, because in a few months, they might end up in the senate. It became regular practice for consuls to become part of the senate after their term expired. Power of patricians grew, example of aristocratic power . The aristocracy must approve all actions taken by the masses of the Plebian population.

Cato The Elder

A Conservative leader of the Roman Senate in 149 BCE. Really wanted Carthage to be destroyed. Believed that conquered people should be ruled with an iron fist. Caused the destruction of one of the greatest cities. Finished all his speeches with " and Carthage must be destroyed"

Fasces

A symbol originating from the Etruscans and later the Roman Empire. Represented the Imperium or Roman sovereignty. The symbol is generally depicted as a bundle of wooden rods bound together with an axe-head protruding. B) Significance- The term "Fascism" as from Mussolini derives from the word "fasces." Mussolini would later use this symbol as part of his nationalistic regime post WWI and during WWII in Italy. Meant to harken back to Italy's glory days of the Roman Empire to increase nationalistic pride.

Scipio Aemilianus

Adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus. He was elected Consul younger than the age that was required, but he was sent to Carthage to fight. In 149 BC war was declared by Rome, and a force sent to besiege Carthage. He took Carthage, and burned it to the ground. Ending the Third Punic War. On his return to Rome he received a Triumph. Predicts that the Romans would have the same fate.

Ara Pacis

Altar built in Rome to honor the return of Caesar after battles in Gaul. Dedicated to Pax (goddess of Peace).Symbol of Pax Romana, and a symbol of Roman civil religion. Unification of Rome. The monument was commissioned by the Roman Senate on July 4, 13 BC.

Carrhae

Battle of Carrhae 53 BC. Crassus vs. Mesopotamia. Crassus went into Mesopotamia to try to gain a military reputation to balance those of his partners Pompey and Caesar of the 1st Triumvirate. Crassus failed horribly and was killed. His death marked the end of the 1st Triumvirate and Pompey's rise to prominence.

Cirta

Cirta was an important economic site, it was also a key political and military spot within the African kingdoms. During the Second Punic War, the Battle of Cirta (203 BCE) marked a decisive Roman victory for Scipio Africanus against Rome's most formidable rival in the Mediterraneans — Carthage.

Carmen Saeculare

During the saeculum, the turn of the age, the epoch of the century, in 17 BCE, signified by a comet. The people believed it signaled good things for Rome and marked Augustus Octavian as the leader of Rome blessed by the gods or a higher power. Rome had a celebration for the saeculum. The Carmen Saeculare was a song written specifically for the occasion. It was sung by a choir of boys and girls for the festival, which marked a new era of peace and glory for the Romans.

Alexandrian Donations

Festival thrown by Marc Antony and Cleopatra in 34 BC. Antony gives Roman land to the Egyptians and declares Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt. Antony violated Roman law by giving away territory. The donations were a tipping point. Antony lost the support of his people and Octavian declared war on him.

Latifundia

Is a very extensive parcel of privately owned land. The latifundia of Roman history were great landed estates, specializing in agriculture destined for export: grain, olive oil, or wine. The latifundia were the closest approximation to industrialized agriculture in Antiquity, and their economics depended upon slave labour.

Commodus

Roman emperor, 180 AD. His father, Marcus Aurelius, made him heir to the throne. Commodus' sister tried to have him killed, but the plot failed. Was a vicious emperor. Lapse into insanity, imagining that he was Hercules. Dressed as a gladiator, a violation of Roman law. Was assassinated in 192 AD. He was the first to rule after the Five Good Emperors. His brutal misrule created civil strife that ended 84 years of stability and prosperity.

Manilian Law

Roman law established in 66 BCE. It was instituted by Gaius Manilius one year after the Gabinian Law was. This gave Pompey supreme command in the war against Mithridates, in place of Lucius Lucullus. More military power was awarded to Pompey. Because these laws gave supreme military power to one man, they did not meet with the approval of the traditional aristocracy. This gained him unpopularity from the wealthy aristocracy but approval from the roman public. Pompey ended the war with Mithridates in 63 BCE

Agrippina

Second wife of Claudius 15 AD. The first wife was Messalina, Claudius executed her because he found out she was having an affair. Agrippina married Claudius (third emperor of the Julian-Claudian dynasty. He remarried his niece, Agrippina. Agrippina is supposedly the murderer of Claudius, supposedly poisoned him. She married him only so she could have her son Nero become heir to the throne. She is a powerful and smart woman, like Julia Mamaea. She got her son the throne, and helped him rule, until Nero went crazy and killed/poisoned his own mother.

Verres

Served a 3 year term as a governor of Sicily 80-78 BCE, which he used to get rich at the expense of his province. Bribed everyone. The first year was supposedly for himself, the second for his friends, and the third for his juror. Goes to trail versus Cicero and loses. Verres is exiled. This trial gives fame to Cicero as a lawyer.

Dacia

Territory, 106 AD. Modern day Romania. Dacia was an agricultural land with rich silver/gold/iron mines. Dacian Wars in 106 AD under Emperor Domitian made them recognize Roman overlordship. Under Trajan, the Romans subdued the whole country in 106 AD, causing the Roman Empire to reach its greatest territorial extent.

Cannae

The Battle of Cannae (216 BCE) was a major battle of the Second Punic War, which took place near southeast Italy. The army of Carthage under Hannibal decisively defeated a numerically superior army of the Roman Republic under command of the consuls Lucius Paullus and Faius Terentius Varro. It is regarded as one of the greatest tactical feats in military history and, in numbers killed, the second greatest defeat of Rome: 50,000 Roman soldiers lost their lives, in comparison to 6,000 of Hannibal's soldiers. This defeat led to the Roman invasion of Africa, in a successful attempt to force Hannibal back there to defend it. Cannae is a significant battle because Hannibal had 40k men while the Romans had 70k. Furthermore, it led to the restructuring of the Roman military force and tactical strategies to strengthen and improve its effectiveness; however, this also foreshadowed the decline of the Republic's political institutions.

First Triumvirate

The First Triumvirate was a political alliance between three prominent Roman politicians which included Gaius Julius Caesar, (Pompey the Great) and Crassus. "Pompey and Caesar now formed a pact, jointly swearing to oppose all legislation of which any one of them might disapprove. It lasted from approximately 59 BCE to Crassus' defeat by the Parthians in 53 BCE.

Marcus Livinus Drusus

The elder Marcus Livius Drusus was set up as tribune by the Senate in 121 BC to undermine Gaius Gracchus' land reform bills. To do this, he proposed creating twelve colonies with 3,000 settlers each from the poorer classes, and relieving rent on property distributed since 133 BC. He also said the Latin allies should not be mistreated by Roman generals, which was the counteroffer to Gaius' offer of full citizenship. Drusus was later Consul in 112 BC and fought in Macedonia defeating the Scordisci, even pushing them out of Thrace across the Danube.

Claudius

Was Roman emperor from 41 to 54 AD part of the Julio-Claudiun dynasty, Claudius is the uncle of Caligula, and he was found hiding in a closet of the palace. The Praetorian Guard drag him out of the closet and they declare him as emperor. Although in his family, Claudius is considered mentally challenged and is crippled; he was a disgrace to his family, however, he is a very competent ruler. He organized the bureaucracy, created new secretariats, created new aqueducts. Introduced 3 new alphabet letters, and introduced new aid for snakebites. Last person to know Estrucan language, poisoned by Agrippina.

Meditations

a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 AD, setting forth his ideas on Stoic philosophy. His Stoic ideas often involve avoiding indulgence in sensory affections, a skill which will free a man from the pains and pleasures of the material world. He claims that the only way a man can be harmed by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. A central theme to Meditations is to analyze your judgement of self and others and developing a cosmic perspective. Divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Marcus's life.

Polybius

c. 118 BCE. Remember that he was the one who wrote the book about roman history that covered 264 - 146 BCE. The rise of the roman republic and the domination of Greece. He's also the one who thought about the separation powers.

Pontifex Maximus

head of Roman State religion, held for life, and gave the holder great political prestige. A title given to Julius Caesar, making his role as leader in Rome even more legitimate. Not only was he a great leader who conquered Gaul, a playboy,govern Rome while he is fighting, and had lots of loyal soldiers, his role as Pontifex Maximus also makes it seem as if he is a god-given ruler.

Domitian

part of the Flavian Dynasty, ~81AD-96, succeeded his brother, Titus. He was the most unpopular and autocratic ruler of the Flavian Dynasty. He ignored Senate completely and wanted to be addressed as Dominus and Deos (Lord and God). Army lost respect for him. The great fire in Pompeii and in Rome was hard on the treasury, costs of rebuilding Rome is high. He expelled philosophers and astrologers, aka undesirables. Result of this, everyone had someone mean to say about him, but apparently he might not have been that bad, just bad timing. Slayed by Praetorian Guard in 96 AD, only person who cared for him was his old nurse.