Political Evolution I
Name of the historical periods into which ancient Rome is divided
Monarchy, Republic amd Empire
What was the motto of the Roman Republic?
Explain the meaning
SPQR
Senatus Populusque Romanus
Who is the founder of Rome according to legend?
Romulus
What were the social groups that existed during the monarchy and the first years of the republic?
Patricians and Plebeians
Which civilisation mostly influenced Roman Art?
Greek civilisation
What event traditionally marks the end of the Roman monarchy and the beginning of the Republic?
The expulsion of the last king, Tarquin the Proud, in 509 BCE
Name the three political institution of the Roman Republic
- Comitia or popular assembly
- Magistrates
- Senate
Who was the most famous Roman general and dictator, assassinated in 44 BCE?
Julius Caesar
Who did the work in the mines?
Slaves
What architectural orders did the Romans invent?
Composite and tuscan
Who fought in the Punic Wars? and How many Punic Wars were there?
Romans vs Carthaginians
3
Who was Julius Caesar?
Julius Caesar was a Roman general and politician. He played a key role in the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire. He conquered Gaul and became very popular among the people and the army. In 44 BCE, he was assassinated by senators who feared he wanted to become king.
Who became the first emperor of Rome?
Octavian Augustus
What were the main crops grown by the Romans? Hint: It's the so-called Mediterranean triad.
Cereals, vines and olives
Point out 5 buildings located in a Roman city
Forum, basilica, domus, insulae, theatre, thermal baths, amphitheatre, circus, temples, etc.
What is romanisation?
Romanisation: process through which the conquered people (barbarians) assimilated the Roman culture (Latin language, art, towns...)
In which centuries did the Pax Romana take place?
1st and 2nd centuries
Which emperor divided the Empire into Eastern and Western parts in 395?
Emperor Theodosius
What is manumission?
Is the act of freeing slaves by their owners.
Which emperor converted to Christianity and made it legal in the Roman Empire?
Emperor Constantine
Point out at least 3 reasons that caused the crisis of the 3rd century
Political crisis: first defeats by the barbarians. Frontiers no longer safe, so military chiefs took control in some areas.
Economic crisis: as conquest ended, there were fewer slaves to work, so:
Prices increased
Production and trade decreased
The empire became poorer
- Social crisis: to solve the economic crisis, the empire increased the taxes, so many people migrated to the countryside. The empire became ruralised (self- sufficient economy, no trade, no prosperity...)
What happened to the Eastern Roman Empire after 476 AD?
What name do we refer to him by after 476?
Continued existing as the Byzantine Empire until 1453
Who crossed the Alps with elephants to confront the Romans?
Anibal Barca
What was the role of the women in teh roman society?
Women in Roman society had less rights than a man of the same status. They managed the household and raised children but had limited legal and political rights. Wealthy women could influence public life through their family connections.
Why were Christians persecuted at the beginning of the empire?