Historical Terms
What did the term 'imperium' mean?
The power and authority to command an army
When was Caesar born?
July, 100BC
Why is the Battle of Actium significant?
It was the final battle of the Civil War between Mark Antony and Octavian. During this naval engagement, Cleopatra and Mark Antony fled. It is also the final event of the historical period you are studying, as Octavian/Augustus then established the Principate.
Name the two tribunes who led the gang warfare and urban violence Bonus points: What were Caesar and Pompey's full names?
Clodius and Milo
Gaius Julius Caesar and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus
Name at least FIVE ancient writers on the fall of the Republic
Cicero, Caesar, Suetonius, Plutarch, Appian, Velleius Paterculus, Sallust, Lucan, Cassius Dio, etc.
What was the 'pontifex maximus' and who won the election for this position and held it during his lifetime?
The Chief Priest - Julius Caesar.
The Gallic Wars in which Caesar led a series of military campaigns occurred during what years?
58-51BC - Caesar then launched the Civil War in 49BC
Outline a reform Caesar implemented during his time as dictator
Give a specific example of a political, social, economic, building or adminstrative reform
Following the assassination of Caesar, who were the main supporters of the Republican cause? Who were the main supporters of the Caesarean cause?
Republican: Brutus, Cassius, Cicero
Caesarean: Mark Antony, Octavian, Lepidus
Plutarch claims that one prominent member of the optimates faction in the senate stated "it is not the quarrel between Caesar and Pompey that caused disaster, but the friendship between them." Who does Plutarch claim said this?
Cato
What was the term for the traditional ways (ancestral customs) of the Romans? How do you spell the term correctly?
Mos maiorum
What occurred in 63BC?
Cicero's consulship and the Catiline conspiracy
What was the Bona Dea scandal?
Clodius dressed up as a woman and attempted to seduce Pompeia (Caesar's wife at the time) who was hosting the winter rites of the Bona Dea (Good Goddess) cult. Clodius was charged but acquitted - Cicero prosecuted him.
Name the FIVE women who had marriages to Pompey
Antistia, Aemilia, Mucia, Julia, Cornelia
Give an example of an archaeological source from the time of the fall of the Republic
E.g. Coins depicting Caesar - significant because he was the first living citizen to be commemorated on a coin. This set a trend that the emperors followed and is a feature of modern day currency too.
What was the senatus consultum ultimum and when was it declared?
The final decree of the senate - declared only in times of emergency. E.g. when Pompey was called upon to raise troops and protect the state against Caesar who had declared a public enemy when the Civil War was launched in 49BC
In what years was Pompey consul?
70BC, 55BC, 52BC
Explain what happened during the Battle of Pharsalus 48BC
Provide details about how Caesar's troops defeated Pompey
Whose military command did Pompey take over against Sertorius in Spain from? Whose military command did Pompey take over against Mithridates?
Metellus - against Sertorius Lucullus - against Mithridates
State a quote attributed to Caesar. What was the significance of Caesar's writings? How does his personal bias affect their reliability?
Depends on the answer given. A famous quote is "veni, vidi, vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered) - Suetonius wrote about this. Significance - first hand account providing insight into his battle tactics/experiences. Issues - he promotes his success (whilst glossing over bad decisions or leaving out details) and justifies his actions
What are the main political positions on the cursus honorum? How many of each were there based on the changes Sulla made to the cursus honorum?
2 consuls 8 praetors 2 aediles 20 quaestors
On what date was Julius Caesar assassinated?
15 March 44BC - The Ides of March
Explain the main events related to the formation and breakdown of the 'First Triumvirate'
60BC - Formation with Caesar as lynchpin and all serving personal needs
59BC - Caesar's consulship
56BC - Renewal at the Conference at Luca
55BC - Pompey and Crassus' 2nd dual consulship to satisfy new short term needs
53BC - Crassus and Julia's deaths
Pompey and Caesar's growing rivalry culminating in Civil War 49BC
Name three laws that were passed by tribunes and state what they were for
Lex Vatinia - Caesar's proconsulship in Gaul
Lex Gabinia - Pompey's command against the pirates in the Mediterranean
Lex Manilia - Pompey's command at the end of the Mithridatic Wars
Name a modern historian who wrote about Caesar and/or the fall of the Republic and provide a quote from their source
Depends on the answer given.