click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Chapter Six
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Republic | A type of government in which elected officials govern the state |
| Patricians | Elected officials form aristocratic families in the Roman Republic |
| Plebeians | Non-aristocrats in the Roman Republic |
| Veto | Rejection of harmful or unjust laws |
| Forum | Central square in Rome |
| Constitution | Roman political structure that created new offices and government institutions |
| Senate | A body of legislators who acted as advisors, controlled public finances, and handled foreign relations in the Roman Republic |
| Consuls | Elected magistrates that replaced the king as chief executives of the state |
| Dictator | A ruler who has nearly unlimited power |
| Gracchi | Two brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, who tried to redistribute land to small farmers |
| Gaius Marius | A talented general who, as consul, allowed anyone to join the army |
| Lucius Cornelius Sulla | A general who became consul in 88 BC and later dictator |
| Julius Caesar | Helped end the Republic and became Dictator of Rome in 44 BC |
| Triumvirate | The rule of three men |
| Augustus | A title of honor given to Octavia in 27 BC, meaning "the revered one" |
| Pax Romana | The Roman Peace, which lasted from 27 BC to AD 180 |
| Villa | A Roman country home that had conveniences such as running water and baths |
| Circus | Racetrack used for chariot racing |
| Paterfamilias | The family father, the oldest living male in a family |
| Augurs | Priests who specialized in interpreting signs from the gods in natural phenomena |
| Galen | Physician whose medical writings established him as the greatest medical authority for centuries |
| Ptolemy | Astronomer who said that the earth was the center of the universe |
| Aqueducts | Man-made channels used to bring water to cities |
| Latin | The language of Rome and root of French, Italian, Spanish, Romanian, and Portuguese languages |
| Civil Law | System of law based on written codes |
| Christianity | A religion based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth |
| Messiah | A spiritual leader who, according to prophecy, would restore the ancient Kingdom of David |
| Jesus of Nazareth | A spiritual leader who taught people to seek forgiveness for their sins |
| Disciples | Followers |
| Apostles | Twelve disciples chosen by Jesus |
| Martyrs | People who suffer death for the sake of their faith, inspiring others to believe |
| Paul | Jewish apostle who helped spread Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean region, formerly called Saul |
| Eucharist | A religious ceremony that commemorated Jesus's last supper |
| Bishop | A priestly official who oversaw church affairs in a particular city, had authority over other priests in the region |
| Pope | Bishop of Rome |
| Inflation | A dramatic rise in prices |
| Diocletian | A capable Roman emperor who assumed the throne in 248 and created an absolute monarchy to strengthen the empire |
| Attila | The leader of the Huns |