8.2
How did organizing soldiers into legions help Romans in battle?
Smaller groups could move around more quickly.
What was the Roman Republic’s system of checks and balances designed to do?
prevent anyone from getting too powerful
Why was Caesar murdered by Senators Brutus and Cassius?
They believed Caesar was too powerful.
Which group became increasingly powerful in Rome after the end of the Pax Romana?
the army
What event caused the Second Punic War?
Carthage invaded Spain.
What was an important advantage of Rome’s location on the Tiber River?
protection from pirate raids
Why did Marius’s plan to help poor farmers backfire?
Soldiers were more loyal to the army than the republic.
When did Rome become an empire?
after Octavian captured Egypt
What happened to the Western Roman Empire after Rome fell?
It was divided into Germanic kingdoms
What event marks the official end of the Western Roman Empire?
Odoacer overthrew the emperor and seized control of Rome.
What is one way Rome built a strong, loyal army?
by using very strict discipline
What was a key cause of the economic crises after the Punic Wars?
Farmers had no land or jobs.
Why was Caesar popular with the poor people of the republic?
He created new jobs for the poor.
Why did the Visigoths rebel against the Romans?
The Romans treated the Visigoths very badly.
What did Constantine rename the city of Byzantium?
Constantinople
What strategy helped Romans manage the territories they conquered?
building colonies in conquered territories
What was the main role of the Senate in ancient Rome?
They controlled finances and foreign policy
What did the “Five Good Emperors” have in common?
They improved the lives of the poor.
Why did Constantine move the capital from Rome to Byzantium?
to be closer to frontiers where there was fighting
Who were the 5 "good emperors"?
Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius
What government system did the Romans establish after overthrowing the Etruscans?
republic
Why did Roman leaders offer poor citizens “bread and circuses”?
to prevent a plebeian rebellion
Which emperor was murdered by his own Praetorian Guard?
Caligula
Why did the Roman government hire Germanic soldiers?
to protect Rome from Sasanian invasions
What was the name of the Roman emperor who was overthrown by Odoacer?
14 year old Romulus Augustulus