The Rise of the Republic
What year did Rome become a republic?
509 B.C.E.
What city-state did Rome fight against in the Punic Wars?
Carthage
What title was Julius Caesar given after defeating Pompey?
dictator for life
When did the Roman Empire officially begin?
14 C.E.
Who were the plebeians in Roman society?
the common people
Who was the last king of Rome before it became a republic?
Etruscan king?
What was the outcome of the First Punic War?
Rome gained control of Sicily
What major reform did Caesar implement during his rule?
he started public works projects
What was the Pax Romana?
a period of peace in the Roman Empire
What system did Rome establish to improve trade across the empire?
a single currency
What was the main purpose of the Roman expansion during the first period?
protect borders and gain land
Who was the famous general from Carthage during the Second Punic War?
Hannibal
What event led to the end of the Roman Republic?
the assassination of Julius Caesar
What significant change did Augustus make to the Roman government?
he centralized power under the emperor
How did the people of conquered lands feel about Roman rule?
they had mixed feelings, often with resentment
By 264 B.C.E., which area did Rome and its allies control?
the entire Italian peninsula
What was the result of the Third Punic War?
Carthage was destroyed
What was the name of Caesar’s grandnephew who became the first emperor?
Augustus or Octavian
Which natural boundaries did Augustus push the empire’s borders to?
the Rhine and Danube rivers
What role did the Praetorian Guard play in the empire?
they served as the emperor’s personal bodyguard
What did Romans do to their former enemies to ensure stability?
they made alliances with them
How did the Punic Wars impact the Roman economy?
it brought wealth but also caused loss of life and destruction
How did Caesar's rule affect the power of the Senate?
it diminished their power
What was one major construction project that Augustus undertook?
he repaired and built temples
How did the expansion of the empire affect small farmers in Rome?
they struggled to compete with wealthy landowners and often lost their land