Chapter 6: Rome's Empire and the Unification of the Western World

coloni

Tenant farmers who, late in history of the Roman Empire, became tied to the lands they worked

princeps

"first citizen," title of honor the Romans bestowed on Octavian (63 B.C.E - 14 C.E.) to thank him fo his alleged restoration of their Republic

alimenta

an endowment established by Rome's emperors to support and educate the children of poverty-stricken Italians

imperium

the authority to command armies during the era of the Roman Republic and Empire

Barracks Emperors

Characterization of the period in Roman history from 235 - 285 C.E. when there was a rapid turnover of claimants to the imperial throne; most were men "from the barracks" (i.e., ordinary soldiers who rose through the ranks).

Pantheon

A roster of the ancient gids, particularly those associated with Zeus-Jupiter

dominate

A system of government headed by a dominos, lord; the autocratic system that took hold during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian

Romanitas

The customs, traditions, and values that the ancient Ramons regarded as the source of their unique strengths and virtues as people