Geography & Beginnings
The Roman Peninsula is shaped like a ....
Boot!
Define Veto
To say no (Consuls to veto each other)
How did Caesar break the law?
List one way.
1. He marched his army into Rome (civil war).
2. He refused to relinquish his army at the demand of the Senate.
3. He declared himself dictator for life.
What happened to Pompeii in AD 79?
Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city (buried in 30 feet of ash)
Early Christianity developed in which communities?
Jewish
What is one way Rome's geography impacted how people lived?
1. Tiber River - water
2. 7 hills - protection
3. Alps/Apennines = protection and isolation
What were the 12 tables?
A set of laws demanded by the plebeians that were written for all to see.
What is one way emperors used their power poorly?
1. Took power from the people
2. Used violence to get their way
3. Used government money for personal gains
Why is Pompeii such an important archaeological find?
It is a city frozen in time the moment the volcano erupted. This helped archaeologist learn so much about everyday life in Rome.
Why was Christianity able to spread so quickly?
1. Roads
2. Lack of soldiers to patrol
3. Traveling Christians
4. It appealed to outcasts (poor, orphans, women, etc)
Why did the Romans overthrow the Etruscans?
Romans do not like being ruled by kings with absolute authority
Why did the Romans have two consuls instead of one?
Romans feared a single ruler would abuse their power.
Which emperor moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium? What did he name it?
Constantine...Constantinople
People (casts), bread, graffiti, etc.
What was the effect of the government producing more coins with less silver in them?
Inflation! The money had less value and became worthless.
Who were Romulus and Remus?
The brothers who according to myth, founded Rome.
How did Romans limit the power of a dictator?
They could only have total power for 6 months then must step down.
As Christianity spread, why did the emperors have difficulty recruiting soldiers to the Roman army?
Christians are pacifist
This Roman Achievement allowed for massive crowds to watch Gladiator battles.
Amphitheater
Name one group that was constantly attacking Rome's borders, eventually helping lead to the fall.
Visgoths, Vandals, Huns, etc.
Why is Rome's central location in the Mediterranean such a good thing?
1. Trade allows them to become wealthy
2. They are in a position where they can conquer and keep control of the Mediterranean
What are two principles of government the United States adopted from the Roman Republic?
1. Representative democracy (republic)
2. Limited government
3. Term limits
4. Laws apply to all citizens
5. Checks and balances (veto)
Name the THREE men in the first triumvirate.
Caesar, Crassus, Pompey
This Roman Achievement had a pool to collect rainwater in its entrance.
Domus
Why is it better to have an army of Roman citizens rather than a mercenary army?
Mercenaries are loyal to who can pay more so more likely to betray the empire.