| A | B |
|---|
| The Aeneid and Aeneas | The Romans believed that their history could be traced back to a great Trojan hero named Aeneas. The Aeneid, by Virgil, is the story of Aeneas’ long and dangerous journey to Italy after the Greeks destroyed Troy during the Trojan War. |
| Virgil | A Roman epic poet who wrote The Aeneid in 20 BC |
| Romulus and Remus | According to Rome’s legendary origins, Romulus and Remus were two twin brothers who were the descendants of Aeneas. After being raised by a she-wolf and a shepherd the boys would go on to found the city of Rome. Romulus accidentally killed his brother Remus in a fit of anger and went on to become the first king of Rome. |
| Etruscans | A group of people who lived in an area north of Rome before Rome was founded. The Etruscans had a great influence on Roman society and the last three kings of Rome were Etruscans. |
| Republic | A form of government in which citizens elect leaders to govern them. The Romans created a republic. |
| Dictator | A ruler who has almost absolute power. During particularly difficult wars, the Romans chose dictators to lead the city. To keep them from abusing their power, dictators could only stay in power for six months. |
| Cincinnatus | A famous Roman dictator who was chosen to defend Rome against a powerful enemy that had defeated a large Roman army. Once he defeated the city’s enemies, he immediately resigned from power even though his six-month term had not yet expired. |
| Plebeians | The lower class of Roman society that was made up of common people such as peasants, craftspeople, traders and other workers. This group made up a majority of the population and would eventually gain the right to participate in government. |
| Patricians | The upper class of Roman society that was made up of powerful nobles. At first, only patricians could be elected to government positions. A majority of Rome’s Senators were patricians |
| Magistrates | The elected officials who made up the first part of the Roman Republic. Each magistrate was elected to serve a one-year term and each one had his own duties and powers Magistrates could become Senators after completing their terms in office |
| Consuls | The two most powerful magistrates in Rome. They were elected each year to run the city and lead the army. There were two consuls so that no one person would be too powerful |
| Roman Senate | A council of wealthy and powerful Romans within the Roman Republic that advised the city’s leaders. 300 members - the Senators held office for life |
| Veto | Means “I forbid” in Latin. In the Roman Republic, magistrates, consuls and tribunes had the power to veto, or prohibit, actions by other government officials |
| Latin | The Romans’ language |
| Checks and Balances | Methods of balancing governmental power in order to keep any one part of the government from becoming stronger or more influential than the others. |
| Forum | Rome’s public meeting place in the center of the city. |
| Legions | Roman soldiers were organized into legions – groups of up to 6,000 soldiers. |
| Punic Wars | A series of wars between Rome and Carthage, a city in northern Africa |
| Hannibal | A brilliant general from Carthage |
| Lucius Cornelius Sulla | Became a Roman consul in 88 BC. Fought a civil war against Gaius Marius |
| Spartacus | A former gladiator who led a slave revolt. He was killed during the revolt |
| Julius Caesar | A powerful Roman general. Conquered much of Gaul, modern day France, Germany, and northern Italy, and part of Britain. Declared himself dictator for life. Was murdered by several members of the Roman senate. |
| Pompey | A former friend and ally of Julius Caesar. Turned against Caesar – demanded that Caesar give up his power. Caesar chased Pompey and his army around the Mediterranean and drove them to Egypt. Pompey was killed in Egypt. |
| Brutus | A young senator who plotted Caesars death. A previous friend and ally of Caesar. When Caesar realized that Brutus was stabbing him he surrendered. |
| Marc Antony | Caesar’s former assistant. He emerged as a leader after the death of Caesar. |
| Augustus | Formerly known as Octavian. Julius Caesar’s adopted son. The first emperor of the Roman Empire. |
| Cleopatra | Queen of Egypt. Fell in love with Marc Antony |
| Currency | A system of money |
| Pax Romana | A time of peace and prosperity |
| Aqueduct | A channel used to carry water from mountains into cities. |
| Vault | A set of arches that supports the roof of a building |
| Satire | A style of writing that pokes fun at people or society |
| Romance Languages | Languages that developed out of Latin – Spanish, Portuguese, French and Romanian |
