The Humanistic Tradition: Rome Empire

Cloaca Maxima

The 1st known, and important, sewer line which allowed Romans to drain the swampland between their hilltop villages.

Viae Appian

The 1st man-made road in Rome.

Trajan

The 1st non-Italian Emperor of Rome, constructed the new Forum.

Nero

The 5th and last Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. Was responsible for many atrocities including his own mother.

Gaul

The region of western Europe, present day France and Belgium. The tribes are known as "Gauls".

Aqueducts

Tunnels dug from springs miles away that provided Romans with clean running water.

Aqua Claudia and Anio Novus

Two of the largest aqueduct projects completed by the Emperor Claudius.

Hypogeum

Under the Coliseum, a series of underground tunnels used to house animals and slaves.

Caesar's Bridge

A bridge built entirely out of local timber which spans the Rhine River allowing 40k marching troops cross it. A great engineering feat.

Potsolana

A crushed volcanic rock additive of lime mortar which made Roman concrete sturdy and strong.

Nero's Palace and Domus Aurea

A large landscaped portico villa designed to take advantage of artificially created landscapes built in the heart of Rome after the Great Fire in 64 AD.

Trajan's Forum

A new Forum for an overcrowding Rome. Built into a hillside and created over 200 shops for common people.

Roman Style Cities

Bon, Paris, and London have similar amenities to Rome such as bath houses, amphitheaters, and government buildings.

Caracalla's Baths

Built in Rome, 212-214 AD. The ruins have become a tourist attraction.The complex covered 33 acres, and held 1,600 bathers, and was 750x380x125ft.

Flavian Amphitheater / Coliseum

Created from the design of attaching 2 amphitheaters together, began the modern day stadium.

Vespasian

Former general who was named emperor after a bloody civil war. He used the fortunes and slaves from Judea to build the Flavian Amphitheater.

Julius Caesar

One of Rome's greatest generals who consolidated power to become Rome's 1st Emperor. Claimed to be "ruler for life".

Caracalla

One of Rome's tyrannical rulers, responsible for the construction of a large public bathhouse outside of Rome. The remains can still be seen today.

Rhine River

One of the longest, important rivers in history separating the west Roman and Germanic Empires.

Relief Sculpture

A sculptured artwork of a form projecting from a flat background.

Claudius

A stammering, limping, deaf emperor who was probably Rome's greatest leader.

Hadrian's Wall

A stone or turf/timber fortification built across the width of what is now northern England.

Arch

A structure that spans a space, while supporting weight.

Pantheon

A temple to the gods of ancient Rome, which uses concrete for the largest space in antiquity to date.

Titus

Adopted son of Vespasian that finished the construction of the Coliseum.

Vault

An arched form above an enclosed space

Rotunda

Any building with a circular ground plan, often covered by a dome.

Apollodorus of Damascus

The Greek architect that designed Trajan's Forum.

Hadrian

The Roman Emperor who concentrated on maintaining the borders of the empire.

Keystone

The center, primary piece at the apex of an arch or vault.

The Forum

The downtown Center of Rome.

Roman Fort Towns

Villages that sprang up around the construction of Hadrian's wall that provided trade and commerce for the soldiers that manned the wall.

Britannia

What is now Great Britain, conquered by Emperor Claudius.