Patricians vs. Plebeians
What is a plebian?
Ordinary citizens—farmers, traders, and workers—who made up most of the population.
Who was the head of a Roman family, and what was his role?
The paterfamilias, the oldest male, had legal authority over the household
On which river was Rome founded?
Tiber
Who were Rome’s main rivals in the Punic Wars?
Carthage (Carthaginians)
Who were Romulus and Remus?
Legendary twin brothers who founded Rome (named after Romulus after he killed his twin brother).
What is a patrician?
The wealthy and noble families in Ancient Rome who held most of the government and religious power. They made important decisions and often led the city.
What were the primary responsibilities of women in Roman society?
Managing the household and raising children
What area did the Roman Empire eventually at its height?
The Roman Empire stretched from Britain to the Middle East, covering much of the Mediterranean
What were the Punic Wars, and who fought in them?
The Punic Wars were a series of three wars between Rome and Carthage for control of the western Mediterranean.
Who was Mars in Roman mythology?
The god of war and father of Romulus and Remus.
How did religious roles differ between patricians and plebeians?
Only patricians could serve as high priests or in certain religious offices, giving them control over important rituals and ceremonies
How could upper-class women sometimes gain influence?
By managing estates and businesses, especially as widows, and influencing their sons’ education
Where was the city of Pompeii located, and what happened there in 79 CE?
Pompeii was in southern Italy, near Mount Vesuvius, which erupted and buried the city in ash.
Who was Hannibal, and what was he famous for?
Hannibal was a Carthaginian general famous for crossing the Alps (with elephants) to invade Italy during the Second Punic War.
Who was the first emperor of Rome?
Augustus
How did patricians and plebeians differ in political power? What changes happened over time? (Focusing on the Republic)
Patricians had almost all the political power only at the start of the Roman Republic. Over time, plebeians fought for and gained more rights, including the ability to hold office and pass laws. By 287 BCE, plebeians and patricians were much more equal in political power, and plebeians could participate fully in government decisions
Compare the lives of patrician and plebeian women.
Patrician women had more wealth and could manage large households or estates, while plebeian women worked more directly in the home or family business and had less access to luxury or education
Why was Rome’s central location in the Mediterranean important?
It allowed Rome to expand, control trade, and communicate easily with other regions.
Who defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama?
Scipio Africanus
Describe two innovations from Ancient Rome.
Aqueducts: long channels built to bring fresh water from mountains into cities using gravity. Used in baths to supply clean water.
Sewers (Cloaca Maxima): large underground drains that removed waste water and sewage from the city. Essential in baths for carrying away dirty water.
Plumbing: system of lead and clay pipes that delivered water and removed waste. Allowed Roman baths to have running water, drains, and toilets.
Hypocaust: underfloor heating system where hot air from furnaces was circulated under floors and walls. Heated the rooms and water in Roman baths.
Concrete: invented a strong concrete using lime, volcanic ash, and water, which could set underwater. This made it possible to build massive, long-lasting structures like the Pantheon and harbours.
Arches: allowed them to build heavier and wider structures such as bridges and large public buildings.
Roads: were straight, multi-layered, and built for durability, connecting the empire and enabling fast travel, trade, and military movement.
Urban Planning: cities were organised in grid patterns with public spaces, markets, and efficient water and waste systems, influencing city design for centuries.
Compare the typical jobs and lifestyles of patricians and plebeians.
Patricians avoided manual labour, living off land ownership and often in luxury.
Plebeians worked as farmers, artisans, merchants, or labourers and lived modestly or in poverty.
What major event changed women’s roles in ancient Rome? How so?
The Punic Wars changed women’s roles by forcing them to manage households, businesses, and legal matters while men were away fighting, giving some women more independence and responsibility than before.
What natural feature helped protect Rome from invasion? Explain.
Rome’s seven hills gave the city a strong natural defense by providing high ground that was hard for enemies to attack. The steep slopes and elevated positions made it easier for Romans to spot approaching invaders and build walls and fortresses, while the hills themselves acted like barriers, slowing down or stopping attacks
How many Punic Wars were there, and what was the outcome?
Three; Rome won all and destroyed Carthage in the Third Punic War and gained control over the Western Mediterranean.
List the three main periods of Roman history with their dates.
Kingdom (753–509 BCE)
Republic (509–27 BCE)
Empire (27 BCE–476 CE)