Roman Origins/Geography
Who were Romulus and Remus and what does their story explain about the founding of Rome?
Romulus and Remus were legendary twin brothers raised by a she-wolf and believed to be the sons of Mars, the Roman god of war. After arguing over where to build a city, Romulus killed Remus and founded Rome in 753 BCE. Their story explains that Rome was believed to have divine origins and was founded through conflict and strength.
Patricians were wealthy, noble, and had power.
Plebeians were poorer, had less opportunities, and had less power.
What is a republic, and how was the Roman Republic structured to prevent one person from having too much power?
A republic is a government where citizens elect leaders.
The Roman Republic limited power by having two consuls, a Senate, and checks on officials, making sure no single person could control the government.
Who fought in the Punic Wars, and what were they fighting over?
Rome and Carthage fought in the Punic Wars over control of trade routes and dominance in the Mediterranean.
Who were the Gracchi brothers and what reforms did they propose?
The Gracchi brothers proposed land reform and wealth redistribution to help the poor, angering the elite and causing political conflict.
Explain the Legend of Lucretia and how it led to a major political change in Rome.
The Legend of Lucretia tells how a Roman woman was wronged by the king’s son. Her ensuing suicide revealed the corruption of the monarchy and angered the people. Led by Lucius Junius Brutus, Romans overthrew the king and created the Roman Republic.
Why was slavery so important to the Roman economy?
Slavery was the backbone of the Roman economy, providing cheap labor force required for large-scale projects (like building latifundia)
Identify the role of two of the following officials:
- Consuls
- Senate
- Tribunes
- Praetors
Consuls: Led government and army.
Senate: Advised leaders, controlled finances.
Tribunes: Protected common people’s rights.
Praetors: Oversaw laws and courts.
Who was Hannibal, and why is he remembered?
Hannibal was a Carthaginian general famous for his daring strategy of crossing the Alps with elephants to invade Italy, challenging Rome during the Second Punic War and becoming a legendary military leader.
Identify two values that Romans believed were essential to a good citizen.
State above all else, loyalty to the state, 'greed', etc
Who was the paterfamilias, and what power did he hold?
The male leader of the roman household, with absolute legal power over property and family. (This ultimate power changed as time went on)
Why were the Twelve Tables significant in Roman history?
The Twelve Tables were significant because they were Rome’s first written laws, ensuring all citizens knew their rights and duties.
They helped protect plebeians from unfair treatment and became the foundation of Roman law.
Identify two effects of Roman expansion on Roman society.
Named at least two of the following:
- Wealth increase
- Slavery growth
- Cultural exchange
- Military strain
- Political tension
Why were the deaths of the Gracchi brothers a turning point in Roman politics?
Marked a turning point, showing violence in politics, increasing class conflict, and weakening the Roman Republic’s stability.
Give one example of how Greek culture influenced Roman civilization.
Government (democracy -> republic), religion, art, or architecture
Describe one role of Roman women and one expectation for Roman children.
Manage the household and family life, raise children and oversee servants.
One expectation for children was to respect and obey their parents and learn Roman values like duty, loyalty, and discipline.
What was the purpose of a dictator in the Roman Republic?
A dictator was appointed temporarily to make quick decisions during emergencies or war.
What were latifundia and how did they affect small farmers?
Latifundia were giant estates worked by slaves. They produced cheap goods, drove small farmers out of business, and increased economic inequality.
Give one example of how the Etruscans influenced Roman engineering or government.
They inspired architecture with arches, sewers, and roads, which advanced their infrastructure. They also influenced systems of monarchy and nobility.
Explain the values of a patriarchy in Roman society.
Rigid gender roles which prioritize male masculinity and female subordination, belief in inherent male supremacy and authority
How did Julius Caesar abuse his power as a dictator?
Julius Caesar abused power by declaring himself dictator for life, ignoring the Senate, and centralizing authority.
Allowed easy access to trade routes, fertile land, and neighboring regions, supporting economic growth and territorial expansion.
How did the loyalty of soldiers shift during the late republic, and why was this dangerous?
Soldiers became loyal to generals instead of Rome, threatening the Republic by allowing ambitious leaders to gain power and start civil wars, undermining traditional government authority.