Quizlet Western Civilization - Rome

Print Options

This box will be automatically hidden when printing. Return to Set Page


  1. Augustus: First real emperor of Rome
  2. Constantine: Emperor, moved the capital to Constantinople and converted to Christianity; made Christianity the official religion of the empire
  3. Hellenization: Process by which Greek culture is introduced to and ultimately overtakes Rome
  4. Marcus Aurelius: Last of the "five good emperors"
  5. Mithraism: Mystery religion; underground chambers were used to conduct secret rituals involving the slaughter of bulls; followers were mostly military men
  6. Ostragoths: invaders who, under Odavacar, took Rome in 476 (traditional date for the Fall of the Roman Empire)
  7. The Consuls: two men, comprised executive branch of the government; elected from nobility; commanders of the army
  8. The First Macedonian War: Conflict caused by the alliance between Philip V of Macedonia and Hannibal after the Romans' defeat at Cannae; Romans initiate a war, fearing Carthaginian invasion; results in the establishment of the Roman province of Macedonia
  9. The First Punic War: costly war initiated by Rome due to worries that Carthaginian presence in Sicily could threaten southern Italy; resulted in Rome's acquisition of Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, and the weakening of Carthage
  10. The First Triumvirate: the name given to the threefold rule of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus
  11. The Gracchian Revolution: result of an agricultural crisis when migration to cities depletes farmer population; tribune Tiberius Gracchus implements land reforms, but is eventually killed by political opponents
  12. The Second Punic War: Roman and Carthaginian interests in Spain clash to cause this conflict; Hannibal marches on Italy, Romans are forced to retreat to Rome and eventually threaten Carthage itself to eliminate Hannibal's threat
  13. The Second Triumvirate: threefold rule made up of Mark Antony, Lepidus and Octavian
  14. The Senate: composed of older Patricians, appointed by the Consul; laws required their approval; responsible for public finances, foreign policy
  15. The Struggle of Orders: time of tension between Patricians and Plebeians
  16. The Third Punic War: Romans completely destroyed Carthage to complete the conquest of the Mediterranean area
  17. The Twelve Tablets: created after the Struggle of Orders to give Plebeians more rights