Misc.
How did marriage help political power? And could the Romans divorce?
Marriage created alliances between powerful families, helping increase influence and political strength.
Yes, divorce was legal and common.
Why did the First Punic War start?
Both Rome and Carthage wanted to control Sicily and dominate trade in the Western Mediterranean
What was the purpose of Latin prose in Rome?
Mainly for political speech, laws, philosophical writings, and letters
What was the Second Triumvirate?
It was a political alliance between Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus and they ruled after Caesar's death.
What was the First Triumvirate?
It was an alliance between 3 powerful men (Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus)
How was the early Republic organized?
Rome was ruled by two consuls elected annually, the senate advised consuls, citizens could vote for representatives in assemblies.
What were the results of the Second Punic War?
Carthage signed peace treaty, paid indemnity, and promised not go to war without Rome’s permission
Who was Terence?
A former slave brought to Rome from Carthage. He was later freed and famous for writing comedies.
What was the result of the feud between Octavian and Antony?
Octavian stood supreme in the Roman world. Ending the Roman Republic and beginning of the Roman Empire
What happened after Mark Antony lost the Battle of Actium?
He and Cleopatra fled to Egypt and committed suicide a year later
How was the manipular formation invented?
It was developed during the Samnites Wars when Rome fought the Samnites, an ancient people who lived in the mountainous region of Italy. The Greek-style phalanx was ineffective. So, they reorganized the soldiers into smaller and more flexible units (hastati, principes, and triarii)
What happened to Carthage after the Third Punic War?
Carthage was completely destroyed, its population killed or enslaved, and its territory became Roman Province
What is rhetoric and why was it important in Rome?
It is an art of persuasive speaking or writing. Rhetoric was crucial for politics, law and public life (to win elections and lawsuits)
How did Octavian turn the Roman people against Mark Antony?
Octavian spread propaganda, accusing Antony gave away Roman territory to Egypt
How did land problems contribute to the fall of the Republic?
Land inequality caused social conflict, violence and weakening the Republic
Did slaves ever rebel? If so, how?
The largest rebellion was led by Spartacus between 73-71 BC. He gathered thousands of other slaves who wanted freedom to fight against Roman soldiers
How did Rome finally win the second Punic War?
Scipio Africanus the Elder led the Roman armies that attacked Carthage directly in North Africa. At the Battle of Zama, they defeated Hannibal Barca.
How did Greek culture influence Roman education?
Wealthy Romans hired Greek tutors to educate their children. They learned Greek language, literature, philosophy, and Greek techniques in rhetoric and public speaking.
What was the land problem in the late Roman Republic?
Most land was owned by the rich aristocrats, while many small farmers lost their land
Why was Caesar assassinated?
A group of leading senators resented his domination and feared Caesar wanted to become king
Who were the magistrates in the Roman Republic and their roles?
Consuls (chief executives and army leader), praetors (judges), aediles (managed public works, quaestors (managed finances), and censors (conducted census)
Why is Numidia important in understanding the Third Punic War?
Numidia, Romans ally, invaded Carthaginian territory. Carthage broke the peace treaty by defending itself against Numidian attack. It started the Third Punic War.
Who led the rituals in Roman household cults, and what were these cults?
Household cults were family religious practices in Roman homes to honor gods, spirit and ancestors. The head of the family or paterfamilias led the rituals.
Who were the Gracchus brothers and why were they important?
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tried to reduce inequality with land reform
What were the main problems at the end of the Republic?
Powerful generals and loyal armies, division of aristocrats, the equestrians wanted more political power, and land problems which led to civil wars, political corruption, and weak government