Classical Rome - Power and Freedom Flashcards
(44 cards)
What was the governing chamber of the Roman Republic?
The Senate
The Senate made decisions regarding the bills discussed by the Assemblies.
What were the two divisions within the Senate?
Optimates and Populares
Optimates represented the interests of the wealthy, while Populares advocated for more public involvement.
What is the path of political advancement in the Roman Republic called?
Cursus Honorum
This path included positions from Quaestor to Consul.
What was the voting system in the assemblies skewed towards?
The wealthy
Block voting made the voices of the poor almost irrelevant.
How many men were typically serving in the army or legal affairs in the Cursus Honorum?
30 men
This was necessary to enter the Cursus Honorum.
What was the role of Quaestors?
Public finance and investigations
Quaestors handled public finance and sometimes investigated murderers.
What responsibilities did Aediles have?
Public hygiene, provisions distribution, and funding events
Aediles managed public hygiene, distribution of provisions like grain, and organized games and festivals.
What was the highest position in the Roman Republic?
Consul
Two Consuls were elected annually to prevent monarchy-like rule.
Who were the Censors and what was their role?
Two elected every 5 years to conduct the census
Censors were responsible for carrying out the census and managing numbers in the Senate.
What did Lictors carry as a symbol of power?
Fasces
The fasces was a bundle of sticks with an axe, representing imperium.
What was the role of the Tribune of Plebs?
Elected representatives with veto power
They had the power of veto and could be influenced by wealthy senators.
What was the role of a Dictator in Roman governance?
Temporary head of Rome with absolute power
A Dictator was appointed during times of challenge and had authority over all magistrates.
What sparked the Boudiccan Revolt?
Neglect of Prasutagus’s will and abuse of his family
Boudicca was flogged and her daughters raped, uniting British tribes against Rome.
What was a significant outcome of the Judaean Revolt?
100,000 Jews killed or enslaved
The revolt had long-term causes, including Caligula’s actions and tensions from Roman governance.
What was a major consequence of the collapse of the Republic?
Overpopulation and social unrest in Rome
The influx of landless citizens led to disease and riots.
Who introduced a standing army in Rome?
Gaius Marius
Marius promised land and payment, leading to increased military loyalty to generals.
What did Julius Caesar do to gain support from the people?
Tapped into their wants and sought land for them
He was a Populare and faced opposition from the Optimates in the Senate.
What was the status of women in early Roman Republic?
Varied based on social class
Most sources about women come from male writers, leading to potential bias.
What were the three types of Manus marriages?
Coemptio, Usus, Confarreatio
Each type had different implications for legal ties and family control.
What was the role of Vestal Virgins?
Guardians of the sacred flame
They served for 30 years and were sworn to chastity.
What did Augustus’s law of three children encourage?
Bigger families and stronger marriages
The law included rewards and punishments based on marital status.
What major change occurred in divorce laws during Augustus’s reign?
Divorce became a public matter
The procedure required witnesses and had to be observed by seven male citizens.
What was the Lex Provincae?
Provincial Law defining governance and tribute
It outlined territorial limits, rights, and duties of provincials.
What types of provinces existed in the Roman Empire?
Senatorial and Imperial
Governors of senatorial provinces were appointed by the Senate, while imperial provinces were governed by the emperor’s appointees.
