Ancient Rome Notes for Fall Semester Exam

Roman Terms  Legion- basic unit of the Roman army.  Heresy- belief contrary to official church teachings.  Veto- block a government action.  Consul- government official who supervised the business of government and the army.  Patrician- landholding elite.  Plebeians- farmers, merchants, and traders who made up the bulk of Roman Society.  Aqueduct- bridge-like stone structure that bought water from the hills to the cities.*

Famous People  Augustus- first ruler of the Roman Empire, once known as Octavian.  Julius Caesar- general that brought Gaul under Roman control.  Jesus- central figure in Christianity.  Hannibal- leader of the Carthaginian army who used elephants.  Ptolemy- astronomer who believed the earth was the center of the universe.  Messiah- savior sent by god. *

Facts about the Romans  The mission of Jesus was to bring spiritual salvation to believers.  The Pax Romana refers to Roman peace.  The decline of the Roman republic followed a century of civil wars fought over the question of who would hold power.  The Romans generally tolerated religious differences.  Germanic invasions, corrupt officials, and heavy taxes all helped contribute to the fall of Rome. *

More facts about the Romans  Diocletian and Constantine tried to restore order to the Roman Empire.  The Plebeians were responsible for making the early Roman Republic more democratic.  The Romans were greatly influenced by the culture of Greece.*

Chapter 6- Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity Let the fun begin

Important terms A person who suffers or dies for his or her beliefs is called… A foreign soldier who serves for pay… A savior sent by God… A member of the Roman landholding upper class… A Roman farmer, merchant, artisan, or trader would belong to this class…*

More important terms Government in which officials are chosen by the people… Basic unit of the Roman army… A water carrying bridge-like stone structure… A small religious group… A belief that is contrary to official church teachings…*

Important People Central figure in Christianity… Astronomer who believed the earth was the center of the universe… First ruler of the Roman empire, once known as Octavian… General who brought Gaul under Roman control… Leader of the Carthaginian army who used elephants…*

Nifty little facts about Rome After the death of the Gracchus brothers, the Roman republic experienced a series of civil wars. In the fields of art and literature, Romans were greatly influenced by the culture of Greece. During the empire, the Roman legal system contributed to relative stability.*

A few more bits of information about Rome Jesus proclaimed that his mission was to bring spiritual salvation to believers. The Pax Romana ended in 180 A.D., after the death of Marcus Aurelius. Diocletian and Constantine were two Roman emperors who tried to restore order to the Roman empire. Roman persecution of Christians ended when Constantine issued the Edict of Milan.*

Possible essays Describe two positive and two negative ways that winning an empire affected Rome. Why was Italy easier to unify than Greece? Describe two of Constantine’s actions that had long-lasting effects on Europe. How did Roman ideas serve as a model for democratic governments.***