Republic
A form of government in which power is in the hands of representatives and leaders are elected by citizens who have the right to vote.
12 Tables
Rome’s first written law code, carved onto twelve tablets and hung in the forum.
Patricians
A member of the wealthy, upper class in ancient Rome.
Plebeians
Common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up most of the population in ancient Rome.
Pax Romana
A period of peace and prosperity throughout the Roman Empire.
Dictator
A leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army.
Triumvirate
A group of three leaders.
Senate
In ancient Rome, the supreme governing body, originally made up only of aristocrats.
Empire
A territory in which a number of peoples or countries are controlled by a single ruler.
Ethnocentrism
Belief that your group’s way of life is superior to another group’s.