Term | Definition |
Roman Empire | A time in Rome when the government was ruled by a dictator (one person) and the Roman Senate had been overthrown by Julius Ceasar. |
Dictator | A ruler during the Roman Empire this person had total power of the empire of Rome. |
Julius Caesar | A great general who fought for the plebeians rights and overthrew the Roman Republic. He made himself dictator of Rome and was killed by his peers. |
Caesar Octavian "Augustus" | Caesar's adpoted son who became next emperor after Caesar's death. He was the leader of Rome during the Golden Age. |
Pax Romana | The Roman Golden Age during the first 200 years of the Roman Empire. It was a time of peace in Rome, with a stable government, and inventions. A time of prosperity. |
Aqueduct | Raised tunnels used to carry water from the mountains to the cities. A irrigation system in Rome and example of Roman technology. |
Colosseum | The massive stone amphitheater was built in 70 A.D. It was the site of celebrations, sporting events, and bloodshed. It held gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. A public arena of Roman entertainment. |
Attila The Hun | The leader of the Hun Empire that invaded the Roman Empire. He was a barbarian leader. He attacked at a time when Rome was falling apart due to internal conflicts (corrupt leadership, high unemployment, disease, invasion because Rome was weak). |
Inflation | An increase in the price of something and a fall in the value of money. Rome created more coins to help its economy. This effort failed because the coins were less in value than the price of goods. |
Emperor | Sovereign ruler of great power and rank, the leader of the Roman Empire by hereditary rule. |
Roman Coin | A form of money in the Roman Empire. |
Barter | A form of exchanging goods or services without paying money. Romans used this when money was worthless. |
Roman Roads | Physical roads build to connect Rome to the rest of the Roman Empire. This was used to distribute resources, transport the army, and send communications throughout the Empire. |
Punic Wars | The set of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage. |
Hannibal Barca | The general of Carthage's army responsible for achieving the impossible (leading an army with elephants through the Alps mountains to attack Rome). |
Poverty | The state of being extremely poor. Rome experienced growing poverty when the small farmers lost their lands and the value of money was worthless. |
Professional Soldier | Positions created to fight in the army. People were paid a wage and promised land in exchange for fighting. |
Gaul | The land in modern-day France, where Julius Caesar lead the army to fight and expand the Roman Empire. |
External Problems | Problems from outside of the Roman empire's control that contribute to the end of the empire. Examples: Disease, Constant invaders (war). |
Internal Problems | Problems inside the Roman empire that contribute to the end of the empire. These are problems the government could have controlled. Examples: Poverty, Corruption of Government, Death of Leaders, and Civil War. |