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Roman Empire Flashcards

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1
Q

Age of Augustus - Rome’s Golden Age - Emperors

A

~Roman Empire existed 500 years as a military dictatorship

~Emperors either dominated or were dominated by the army

~Some devoted to Empire’s welfare, others sought personal advantage

~Only a few were qualified

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2
Q

Octavian

A

Became known as Augustus Caesar - given titles by Senate

Augustus - sacred majesty/exalted one/ the venerable

Imperator - commander-in-chief of the Roman armies

Princep - first citizen

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3
Q

Augustus’ accomplishments - Maintained Peace - Army

A

army that was loyal to Rome not demagogues

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4
Q

Augustus’ Accomplishments - Maintained Peace - Stabilized Government

A

a) using only most qualified citizens as administrators, regardless of class
b) reduced corruption by improving local admin
c) created an efficient civil service, where people were given salaries
d) ordered complete census to ensure fair taxes

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5
Q

Augustus’ Accomplishments - Maintained Peace - Developed Trade and Industry

A

a) good system of roads built - Appian Way
b) many provinces to trade with because the empire was so large
c) no trade barriers - no tariffs or taxes

encouraged science, art, and literature

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6
Q

Pax Romana - 27 BC–180 AD

A

“Peace of Rome” - Rome gave Mediterranean world peace, law, and good gov’t

provincial governors tried not to interfere with customs and religions of areas

efficient gov’t changed people’s attitude

citizenship given to people within the empire

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7
Q

Greek Influence

A

philosophy, literature, science, architecture, language, and law

Hellenism spread by Alexander the Great around 330 BC

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8
Q

Roman Law

A

developed legal principles that still live today in many countries

all men are equal, etc.

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9
Q

Roman Philosophy - Epicurus - Epicureanism

A

1) concerned with human happiness
2) happiness is defined as freedom from pain
3) this could be achieved by living a calm, simple life
4) some people later emphasized personal enjoyment over conduct
5) came to mean a person fond of luxury and pleasure

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10
Q

Roman Philosophy - Zeno - Stoicism

A

1) stressed the ideal of the brotherhood of mankind
2) they believed that human happiness was the greatest good
3) taught that a divine lawgiver had a fixed plan for the universe
4) believed that happiness resulted from living in harmony with nature
5) you should accept what life brought
6) all people are basically alike because we all share the power of reason, including misfortune

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11
Q

Augustus Caesar - 31 BC – 14 AD - Augustan Age

A

greatest emperor, led Rome to greatness

Christ born during his reign

decreed that strict moral standards should be adhered to

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12
Q

Tiberius - 14 AD – 37 AD

A

Stepson of Augustus

good emperor, though suspicious of assassination towards end, cruel

lacked charisma of Augustus, alienated Senate with personal moodiness

left empire with secure boundaries and a healthy treasury

Jesus killed during his reign

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13
Q

Caligula - 37 AD – 41 AD

A

great grandson of Augustus and Marc Antony

Caligula means “little boot” - liked an nicknamed by the military

went mad after a few months as emperor demanded to be worshipped as god (Jupiter)

considered making his horse a consul

killed by his own praetorian guard (palace troops)

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14
Q

Claudius - 41 AD – 54 AD

A

placed in power by praetorian guard because they thought they could control him

good ruler, conquered southern Britain, learned scholar, expanded empire

limped, stammered, polio

fourth wife, Agrippina poisoned hime with mushrooms so her son Nero inherits the throne

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15
Q

Nero - 54 AD – 68 AD

A

stepson of Claudius

cruel, vain man, killed mother and wife at urging of his mistress

considered himself great actor and musician

burning of Rome occurred during his reign

Olympics-awarded himself laurels prior to events

began first large scale persecution of Christians including Peter and Paul

committed suicide before military could kill him – ordered by Senate

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16
Q

Year of Four Emperor - Civil War hits Rome

A

Galba - 68 – 69AD

Otho - 69 AD

Vitellius - 69 AD

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17
Q

Flavian Emperors - Vespasian - 69 AD – 79 AD

A

able and just ruler, plainspoken and practical soldier from Italian middle class

Jerusalem destroyed in 70 AD after Jewish uprising

thriftiness restored economy

recruited Senators from the western provinces

had loyalty of the military

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18
Q

Flavian Emperors - Titus - 79 AD – 81 AD

A

extremely popular

arch dedicated to him

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19
Q

Flavian Emperors - Domitian - 81 AD – 96 AD

A

stern ruler, tyrant, fierce persecutor of Christians

established forts and defense along Rhine and Danube Rivers

distrusted in Senate, persecuted his opponents in reign of terror

murdered in a palace conspiracy that included his wife

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20
Q

Five Good Emperors - Nerva - 96 AD – 98 AD

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A

kind and honest leader

21
Q

Five Good Emperors - Trajan - 98 AD – 117 AD

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A

first emperor born in the provinces - Spain

began Pantheon temple to Roman gods

distinguished soldier and statesman – becomes one of Rome’s most beloved leaders

had aggressive wars and extended empire to farthest extent

initiated an impressive building program throughout the empire

concerned with creating social welfare system, distributed food to poor children

22
Q

Five Good Emperors - Hadrian - 117 AD – 138 AD

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A

peace and reform - administered empire well

restless traveler with passion for Greek culture - upper class was appalled by his Greek dress etc.

aloof with Senate - displeased them

reformed civil service, suppressed Jewish revolt, continued construction of roads

Hadrian’s wall built in England

disliked by wife, she publicly announced they would never have children

23
Q

Five Good Emperors - Antoninus Pius - 138 AD – 161 AD

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A

called “the father of mankind” - kindly ruler, peaceful reign

legions inactive during his reign, ill prepared for future fighting

24
Q

Five Good Emperors - Marcus Aurelius - 161 AD – 180 AD

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A

excellent, humane, energetic ruler, soldier, scholar, stoic

war dominated his reign

fought against Germanic tribes who crossed into empire

Stoic philosopher - good is determined by the state of the soul

famous book - Meditations - stoic reflections on the virtuous life

died of plague

25
Commodus - 180 AD -- 192 AD
strange character and cruel ruler found gladiator games in the colosseum more interesting than affairs of state murdered by a wrestler
26
Barrack Emperors - 192 AD -- 284 AD
turbulent, unstable time collapse of Roman gov't first show itself during 3rd century lack of definitive success to throne - choice of emperors made by army 33 emperors raised to throne, all but 4 met violent deaths
27
Two Strong Emperors - Diocletian - 284 AD -- 305 AD
stern officer ascended to throne when empire was at point of collapse first he abolished all old forms of republican gov't established absolute monarchy tried to establish set method of succession
28
Diocletian's Division of the Empire
Kept empire united, but divided it into 2 administrative parts 1) each ruled by "Augustus" 2) each Augustus adopted younger man called "Caesar" a) "Caesar" was assistant and successor b) they shared burden of governing c) further divided into prefectures made himself Augustus of West, Maximian, trusted general, made Augustus of East economic collapse - gov't required people by law to stay in certain jobs
29
Two Strong Emperors - Constantine the Great - 312 AD -- 337 AD
after 20 years both Augustus' stepped down, succession plan broke down -- Constantius, new West Augustus died and there were 3 claimants to throne 312 - became West Augustus - won battle of Milvian Bridge 323 - defeated East Augustus to reunite empire same political and economic policies as Diocletian succession to throne became hereditary
30
Constantine's Accomplishments
1) founded new capital at Byzantium (later renamed Constantinople) 2) aided spread of Christianity - gave Rome Christian character in gov't and culture 3) funds building of Roman Catholic churches throughout empire as repentance for killing bios wife 4) issued Edict of Milan 313 AD
31
Romulus Augustulus - 474 AD -- 476 AD
last official Roman emperor of West 476 AD - deposed by German commander Odavacer sent reps to Cosntantinople to acknowledge his authority over Italy much of western territories already were broken up into Germanic barbarian kingdoms
32
Victory of Christianity
1) Edict of Milan - 313 - gave them full liberty of worship 2) Council of Nicaea - 325 - reaffirmed basic Catholic doctrines, brought internal peace to Church, Nicene Creed 3) Theodosisius officially made it state religion - 395 - harsh penalties on those who continued to worship pagan gods
33
Influence of Christianity
1) worship of 1 true God 2) new code of Christian morality introduced in empire 3) human dignity and the importance of people as children of God 4) equality of all humans 5) idea of the sanctity of marriage 6) dignity of labor was stressed 7) many charitable and social institutions - schools hospitals, orphanages etc.
34
Literature and Art - Early Golden Age of Latin Literature - 80 BC -- 42 BC
Cicero - orations, essays - master of Latin prose Caesar - commentaries, "The Gallic Wars" - simple interesting Latin style Sallust - history, "The Conspiracy of Cataline" - historian with artistic style
35
Literature and Art - Later Golden Age of Latin Literature - 42 BC - 17 AD - Augustan Age
Livy - "The Annals of the Roman people" - greatest prose writer of Augustan Age Virgil - "Aeneid", "Eclogues" - Rome's greatest epic poet Horace - "Mirror of the Augustan Age", Odes, famous lyric poet Ovid - "Metamorphoses", Elegies - love poetry (elegiac poetry)
36
Literature and Art - Silver Age of Latin Literature - 17 AD -- 130 AD
Tacitus - "Germania", "Agricola" - finest writer of Silver Age, historian, politician Juvenal - Satire - satirized Roman vices pf the empire Seneca - Essays, Tragedies - Stoic philosopher and dramatist Pliny the Younger - Letters to Trajan - pictured life during Trajan's reign
37
Architectural Skill
1) built massive, practical buildings - first skyscrapers - 4-5 stories 2) aqueducts 3) triumphal arches to honor great conquerors - Constantine the Great and Titus 4) bath houses with hidden furnaces to heat the water 5) amphitheaters 6) Colosseum and Pantheon 7) roads
38
Rome's Contributions to Ancient Civilization
Political Unity - entire civilized world was unified under a single ruler Legal Unity - provided a code of laws for the whole empire Cultural Unity - Rome blended the best of Greek culture with her own and Latin became a universal language Religious Unity - Christianity became a universal bond in the later empire Economic Unity - a series of great linking roads, common coinage, common measures, weights, prosperous commerce
39
Rome's Contributions to Modern Civilization
Political - Roman gov't is basis or many imperial and municipal gov't which are still basic patterns for modern gov'ts Law - foundation for legal systems in many countries Culture - Greco-Roman culture basis of worldwide cultures today a) Romance languages - French, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, Portuguese b) 50% of English rooted in Latin Religion - Christianity os still basic element in western civilization
40
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - Internal Forces of Decay
Political - heavy taxation of farmers, governors became greedy and dishonest, lack of internal control, Senate had been abolished Economic - debasement of currency, no gold/silver to back it, economic slavery of tenet farmers, beginnings of feudalism, trade/industry decline Social - caste system developed with excessive poverty and wealth existed
41
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Huns
Huns - led by Attila - Asiatic Mongolian tribe that drove Germanic tribes into the empire - defeated at Chalons in 451 - empire gradually collapsed
42
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Visigoths
led by Alaric 378 - defeated Romans at Adrianople 410 - captured Rome and founded kingdom in southern France and Spain
43
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Vandals
led by Genseric driven from Spain by Visigoths founded empire in North Africa 455 - invaded and plundered Rome eventually conquered by Eastern Roman Empire
44
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Ostrogoths
led by Theodoric entered Eastern Roman Empire invaded Italy and defeated Germanic tribes founded brief but brilliant empire in Italy
45
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Franks
led by Clovis 450 - crossed Rhine and settled in northern Gaul built strong kingdom
46
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Lombards
558 - invaded Italy conquered all but a few possessions of Eastern Empire conquered by Charlemagne at request of Pope 36 individual dukedos
47
Reasons for the Fall of Rome - External Forces Germanic Barbarian Invasions - Angles-Saxons
400 - invaded and conquered Britain Romans had already abandoned Britain
48
Results of Fall
Greek language was forgotten in West Latin declined as its correct usage was neglected Education almost disappeared Libraries and art treasuries were scattered or destroyed Art and sciences were neglected Knowledge of skilled handicrafts was gradually lost Communication became difficult as roads fell into disrepair Commerce and industry practically ceased to exist Cities declined or were destroyed

History (2 decks)

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