Key Terms for Midterm I Flashcards
Aventine
One of the hills of Rome, would be come synonymous with the Plebs.
Palatine
The hill upon which Rome was founded
Pomerium
The symbolic trench around a Roman city that delineates “inside” and “outside”. The first was legendarily plowed by Romulus.
Livy
One of the latin historians
Po Valley
The valley to the south east of the Alps
Appenines
The mountain range that extends down the spine of Italy.
Eutria
The region of North Western Italy inhabited by the Etruscans.
Rex/Reges
King/kings
Gens
The free-born descendants of a common ancestor in the male line.
30 curia
Division of the people people into political units. Three tribes, 10 curia for each tribe.
comitia curiae
The earliest form of Roman assembly.
Imperium
The supreme power, involving command in war and the interpretation and execution of law.
Tarquin the Elder
Fifth king of Rome. Etruscan.
Servius Tillus
Sixth king of Rome. Instituted the census, new tribal system, built Rome’s first wall. Started the timocratic system of government.
Tarquin the Younger
Assassinated Servius and was the last king of Rome. Raped Lucretia, who killed herself. Roman people revolted saying that virtue and kingship could not coexist.
Hoplite
6th century infantryman. Equipped with spear, shield and small sword. Made up the phalanx.
Census
Instituted by Servius Tillus, it counted Roman citizens based upon wealth (the ability to arm themselves).
Comitia Centuria
Timocratic assembly of five graded property classes that voted on war, laws, the death penalty and elect senior magistrates.
Consuls
Two chief annual civil and military magistrates.
Dictator
A military leader elected by the senate in a time of crisis who had absolute imperium (usually a consul).
Latin League
Informal alliance between cities surrounding Rome.
Sabines, Aeqi, Volscians
Nearest hill tribes
Patrician
Aristocracy
Plebeians
Land owning Roman citizens not in the aristocracy.