1. Chapter 6 Vocabulary Terms and People
ANCIENT ROME
Chapter 6 Vocabulary Terms and People

2. Section 1
The Roman Republic

3. 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.
Empire: a political unit in which a number of peoples or countries are controlled by a single ruler

4. Patrician: in ancient Rome, a member of the wealthy, privileged upper class
Tribune: in ancient Rome, an official elected by the plebeians to protect their rights
Triumvirate: in ancient Rome, a group of three leaders sharing control of the government
Plebeian: in ancient Rome, one of the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up most of the population
Consul: in the Roman Republic, one of the two powerful officials elected each year to command the army and direct the government

5. senate: the aristocratic (wealthy) branch of Rome’s government
dictator: a leader who had absolute power to make laws AND command the army
legion: large military unit
Punic Wars: three wars fought between Rome and Carthage (N. AFR coast) between 264 and 146 B.C.
Hannibal: mastermind Carthaginian general. Brilliant military genius

6. Section 2
The Roman Empire

7. triumvirate: in ancient Rome, a group of three leaders sharing control of the government
civil war: conflict between groups within same country
Julius Caesar: elected consul of Rome in 59 B.C.. Ruler of Rome. Once a great military leader. Member of the triumvirate
Augustus: “exalted one”; formerly known as Octavian. Also known as imperator, or “supreme military commander”. Officially made Rome an empire and ruled by one man
Pax Romana: “Roman Peace”; a period of peace and prosperity in Rome

8. The Rise of Christianity
Section 3
The Rise of Christianity

9. Disciple: One of the twelve original followers of Jesus.
Apostles: one of the followers of Jesus who preached and spread his teachings
Crucifixion: The act of crucifying; execution on a cross.
Bishop: a high-ranking Christian official who supervises a number of local churches
Messiah: the expected king and deliverer of the Jews
Jesus: born around 6-4 B.C.; a Jew; born in Bethlehem; fulfilled prophesy; also known as the Messiah

10. Peter: an apostle. Became first bishop in Rome; referred to as the “rock” to which the Church was built- all priests and bishops trace authority to him.
Pope: father or head of the Christian Church (Catholic)
Paul: had an enormous influence on Christianity’s development. An apostle and Jew
Diaspora: the dispersal and driving away of the Jews from their homeland of Israel into exile.
Constantine: a Roman emperor who ended persecution of Jews in Rome; .

11. The Fall of the Roman Empire
Section 4
The Fall of the Roman Empire

12. Constantinople: originally the Greek city of Byzantium (Turkey); the City of Constantine
Attila: military ruler/chieftain from the East; leader of the Huns; also known as Attila the Hun.
inflation: a drastic drop in the value of money combined with a rise in prices
mercenary: foreign soldiers who are paid to fight
Diocletian: a strong- willed army leader who became Roman emperor in A.D. 264; known for ruling with an “iron fist - severly limiting personal freedoms