Julius Ceasar
Who succeeded Julius Caesar?
His grand-nephew Octavian, after defeating his former ally Mark Anthony and Cleopatra.
What does the term “Princeps” mean and who first used it?
It means “First Citizen” and was originally used by Octavian. In truth, he was the first Emperor, but the term helped him preserve the image of republicanism.
What was the civilization spread by Alexander the Great called?
Hellenic Civilization.
True or False? The Greeks and Romans valued religion about all else.
False. Both Greek and Roman civilizations had a “secular spirit” which deemphasized religion.
Who won the Peloponnesian wars? What were its effects?
Sparta defeated Athens to win the wars. The effects of the war were the weakening of all of Greece, paving the way for a takeover by Alexander the Great.
What was the impact of Caesar’s assassination?
Civil War! Two factions, one led by Octavian and Mark Anthony, the other by his enemies in the senate battled for control. Eventually, Octavian and Mark Anthony won.
What was the Council of the Orders?
A conflict between the Plebeian and Patrician classes in Rome. Plebeians were heavily taxed and forcibly conscripted, and they won the conflict after threatening to leave Rome altogether. This led to the creation of the 12 tables and the position of “tribune”.
What happened to Socrates after he was brought up on charges of corrupting the youth of Athens?
He was given the choice of recanting his beliefs or drinking poison. He chose the latter, making him the first martyr to academic freedom.
Who were the Etruscans?
A group of city states which Rome conquered. The Romans adopted many features of Etruscan civilization including sophisticated metal working and architecture.
Who won the Persian Wars? Why was it a significant war?
Greece defeated Persia in a stunning military victory that signified it was a rising world power and led to the Golden Age of Greece, a time when Greeks produced remarkable intellectual and cultural achievements, especially in the areas of philosophy and architecture Note: Athens and Sparta temporarily allied to fight this war.
Julius Caesar opened which part of the Roman Empire up for expansion?
The west, including Gaul, Spain, and England.
How did Roman sources depict Cleopatra?
As a beautiful seductress, full of ambition and feminine "guile". This was in contrast to how she was probably depicted in Egyptian sources, though we may never know for sure because the library of Alexandria was destroyed.
Where was Alexander the Great from?
Macedonia.
What was the impact of the reigns of Caligula and Nero?
They demonstrated that the PAX ROMANA could survive even under bad leadership (or, in their cases, AWFUL leadership).
Who fought in the Punic Wars? Who won?
Rome fought and defeated Carthage.
What were the "Commentaries on the Gallic War"?
An account of Julius Caesar’s military campaign in Gaul written by him which helped him gain notoriety and popularity with the general Roman public.
What is the significance of the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum?
They preserved an entire town in ash exactly as it was at the moment of eruption, giving us a snapshot into what everyday life in ancient Rome actually looked like.
What was the Polis?
A city state. This was the common form of government in ancient Greece, when many city states with varying forms of government existed alongside each other.
What were Constantine’s major reforms?
After famously converting to Christianity on the eve of battle, he issued the Edict of Milan, which officially tolerated Christianity throughout the empire. He also reunified Rome under one ruler after Diocletian divided it, and he moved the capitol from Rome to Byzantium in 325 BC, renaming it Constantinople.
What was the battle of Adrianople?
378 AD. 2/3 of the Roman army was destroyed by the Visigoths (foreign invaders). This battle signified the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire.
What is “Crossing the Rubicon”?
When Julius Caesar led his army across the river that formed the border of Italy and Gaul. This was an act of war against the Senate and led to him becoming dictator for 10 years.
How did Diocletian stabilize the empire?
He divided it into two parts (East and West), and appointed two rulers for each part, creating a Tetrarchy, or "Rule by Four".
What two main texts made up the common basis for Ancient Greek culture? Who wrote them?
The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.
How did the Etruscans view women?
More favorably than other civilizations. In sculptures, women are depicted as being the same size as men, signifying the relative equality they were afforded in that society.
Why did the Minoan civilization end?
They were conquered by the Mycenians. (Approx. 1100 BCE).