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Early Roman Empire Test Review

Terms in this set (77)

Member of the First Triumvirate
Sulla's dictatorship lead to Caesar first joining the army. Constructed Forum. He was deified (became a god) after his death
Julius Caesar
How long was Julius Caesar in Gaul?
10 years
where is Gaul generally geographically?
It is where belgae, Awuitani, and the celts is. Generally around france.
what was the role that Julius Caesar played in the Helvetii/Orgetorix in starting the war?
He wanted to bolster his reputation through the military conquest of Gual. He denies Helvetii to cross through the province as his excuse to enter the war.
How many invasions were there in Britain caused by Julius Caesar?
two
Were the invasions in Britain successful?
The first one is unknown if it was a failure or a reconnaissance mission. The second one there was no territory conquered and held for rome. Territory was allied by trinovantes. Overall, not really successful.
Why did Caesar invade Italy in 49 BCE?
Main reason was to issue a 2nd consulship and was slowly being ousted by his political opponent in Rome. Wanted to stand for consulship in Rome
What was the importance of the Rubicon river?
it is the border of Italy of Gaul and it was famous because Julius Caesar and his men crossed it.
What happens at the Battle of Pharsalus?
Battle between Pompey and Caesar. Pompey had more forces than Caesar (45,000 against 22,000). Caesar short of provisions cut off. Pompey wanted to force ceasar to surrender. Bequest of senators, Pompey engages. Caesar plans a trick: hidden line of infantry behind his cavalry, use spears to thrust his men, they panic, and Caesar uses exposed flant of pompey's force to win. Pompey died in Egypt
Describe the Lupercalia incident
two noble youths were covered in sacrificial blood, ran through the streets of rome smacking young ladies lining the streets
how did Caesar act when dictator?
acts like a tyrant, even a god. Dress and ornaments of kings of old, enrolls new men of senate, to honor him, he was sitting and watching the festival.
when was the assassination of Caesar?
44 BCE
who assassinated Caesar?
Marcus Brutus and Gauius Cassius
who were the members of the Second Triumvirate?
Marc Antony, Ocatvian/Augustus , and Marcus Lepidus
What was nominally (in name) their task in the Second triumvirate?
Re-establish the republic
Caesar's second in command. Married to Octavia. Affair with Cleopatra.
Marc Antony
was a marginalized third member, exiled by Octavian. Last Pontifex Maximus of the Roman Republic
Lepidus
what happened when the proscriptions had returned?
Marcus Tullius Cicero died because Atony hated him (this was one of the first acts of the second triumvirate to revive them)
what was the battle when the assassins of Julius Caesar were defeated in 42 BCE?
Battle of Philippi
Why did the Second Triumvirate fail?
Infighting between Octavian and Marc Antony. Battle of Actium in 31 BCE
what was the battle between Octavian and Atony/Cleopatra? what were the results?
Battle was called the Battle of Actium. Octavian defeated them both, and then after Death of Marc Antony (commits suicide by sword) and Cleopatra (poisnouns asp, bit by snake).
Octavian has Caesarion killed.
Lepidus is alive, but sent into exile
Difference between the end dates for Roman Republic
31 BCE - Battle of Actium
27 BCE - Octavian receives the title Augustus, become princeps
Temple of the Divine Julius Caesar
It began after Caesar's deification and was dedicated by Ocatvian. Placement in the Roman Forum on the east end with an attached rostra (speaking platform) and it was a spot of Caesar's cremation.
Forum of Augustus
Imperial stamp on rome. (following precedent of Julius Caesar) Alleviates spatial pressure from the Roman Forum and forum of Caesar. Temple of mars ultor - mars the avenger. Positioned at the rear of the forum, imitates the temple of Venus Genetrix. Wings filled the statues of prominent romans.
Ara Pacis
Ara pacis Augustae, Altar of Augustan Peace. Physical embodiment of the Pax romana. Shows members of imperial family, procession of senators, and depicted personification of earth with the goddess of the earth (tellus)
Mausoleum of Augustus
First project of Augustus after the battle of Actium (declares Rome his home after death), concentric drums of earth and brick topped with cypresses (bronze statue of him), and bronze pillars displaying Res Gestae in front.
What was Augustus' goal with his social reforms?
He tries to return to traditional Roman social values, and he interferes with elite individuals' social lives. His reforms include divorce, Adultery, and enforced separation between social classes
what is the Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
period of peace and stability begun under Augustus, Great literature emerged
How long did the Pax Romana last? (approximately)
it lasted up until 180 CE (death of marcus Aurelius)
How did the Pax Romana lead to the golden age of Latin Literature?
There was stability of the Pax Romana because it was able to be passed through the monuments, by representations and physical embodiments. People were able to be inspired by the pax romana and it was a stable time to start writing.
What is the Res Gestae?
It was a funerary inscription written by Augustus, posted outside the mausoleum, revised many times over his lifetime.
What can modern scholars learn about Augustus from the Res Gestae?
We can learn what he believed his most successful accomplishments were to be,witness what Augustus wanted, left out his life story, and images Augustus portrayed to the Roman people.
What kept happening to Augustus' choices to succeed him
They died few years after the previous heir died (they just kept dying)
what were the names of the failed successors?
Marcellus, Marcus Agrippa, Gaius Caesar, Lucius Caesar
Augustus' last choice for heir. Stepson of Augustus
Tiberius
Where does Tiberius serve militarily? What does he accomplish?
Parthia and Northern Frontier. Tiberius secures Rome's borders
How old is Tiberius when he becomes emperor?
56 years old
Where does Tiberius retire in 26 CE? Who is left in charge of Rome?
Capri and Sejanus runs rome
Who is Sejanus? What role does he play during Tiberius' reign?
Praetorian prefect - head of praetorian guard, ran daily obligations of the emperor tiberius, request to marry Livilla then withdraws it, control communication between rome and capri (never quite an heir)
Where was Caligula raised? What does the name Caligula mean?
He was raised in military camps where his father Germanicus was holding his military campaigns. Meant little boots
How is Caligula received by Roman people when he first becomes Emperor?
Was present in rome, he was popular, and seven months of generosity.
Why might Caligula receive this initial reaction?
Because he did a lot for rome. Sacrificed over 160,000 animals in the first 3 months of his reign. Lavish spectacles including gladiatorial games. Bonuses to the military and Praetorian guard. Helped individuals harmed by the imperial taxation system. Recalled individuals exiled by Tiberius
What happened to Caligula in 37 CE?
He got sick, but the sickness is unknown, and people he were close to him was in danger (except claudius)
Who assassinated Caligula?
Praetorian guard
What makes Claudius an emperor of firsts?
Proclaimed emperor by the military, not the senate. Soldier loyalty through bribery, not military brotherhood
Why did Claudius survive the reign of Caligula?
He was hiding behind a curtain and he was brought back to the camp of praetorian guard for "protection"
What three things was Claudius known for as emperor?
Being a judge at public trials. Ambitious builder of infrastructure: 2 new aqueducts, Roads and canals, and New port at Ostia. Conquest of Britain in 43 CE
Sister of Caligula, Wife of Cladius, Mother of Nero. Makes Claudius adopt Nero. She rules Rome with 16 year old Nero serving as her proxy. Claimed Nero was too young. Nero executed her in 59 CE
Agrippina
what were the 2 conflicting stories of Nero?
1.Nero started the fire and supposedly played his lyre as Rome burned.
2. Nero credited with containing the fire and providing relief for victims.
Who did Nero blame for the fire?
He blamed the christians ,they were unpopular.
What was the Domus Aurea (Golden House)?
Nero used large sections of rome destroyed by the fire to construct a monumental elaborate personal residence.
Where did Nero get the land to build the Domus Aurea?
Destroyed side of Rome
Why has Nero become so unpopular?
Because he implemented new taxes to support his lifestyle.
What happened to Nero in 68 CE?
He declares a public enemy to the roman state, index rebels in Gaul and gains the support of Galba in Spain, and Nero realizes he lost control of the empire. Nero does not have the nerves to kill himself so he forces his secretary to kill himself.
What was the Year of the 4 Emperors?
68/69 CE is the year of the four emperors (know the years)
Transitionary period between Julio-Claudian dynasty and Flavian dynasty
Name the 4 emperors that claimed the emperorship in the Year of the Four Emperors.
Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian (know the names)
Served under Aulus Plautius in the invasion of Britain. Angers Agrippina while Consul and retires from Public Life (Returns upon Agrippina's death). Imitates Augustus and rejects Nero (Controls his public perception).
Vespasian
What was the Great Jewish Revolt? (First Roman Jewish War)
Vespasian given command. Hands command to Titus, when he is proclaimed emperor
What was the construction of Templum Pacis made by Vespasian? (Temple of Peace)
Construction completed by funds taken during the sacking of Jerusalem. Served as an open air museum (displayed treasures collected by the Roman army). Symbolic of peace established by Vespasian
What was the colosseum that was made by Titus?
Constructed on the lake of the Domus Aurea (Golden House). Specific entrances led to specific pathways which lead to specific seating sections. Allowed for separation of social classes. Emperors were responsible for distributing tickets to events in the colosseum
What were the types of Events in the Colosseum?
Mock sea battles, animal hunts, execution, reenactments of famous battles, dramas, and gladiatorial combat.
Was first biological son to succeed his father as emperor. Completed the Colosseum. Provide relief for the eruption of Vesuvius
Titus
What was the arch of Titus?
Has scenes of the siege of Jerusalem and the apotheosis (becoming a god) of Titus.
Declared emperor by the Praetorian guard upon the death of Titus
Constructed the Domus Augustana and Constructed Stadium of Domitian. Damnatio Memoriae (Damnation of Memory) placed upon Domitian
Domitian
What was Domitians style of ruling?
Micromanagments, Popular among roman people and army, hated by the senate
How long was the Domus Augustana an imperial residence?
Until 476 CE
What was the Stadium of Domitian used for?
horse racing
Who orchestrated Domitian assassination?
Members of the imperial court
What roles does the Second Triumvirate play in the downfall of the Roman Republic?
The second triumvirate was supposed to be three men with a tremendous amount of power. This because the three men ended up fighting with each other. With this being said, the power had ended it up to be in the hands of only Augustus. These circumstances led the Republic not to really be a republic anymore.
Which of the buildings of Augustus do you think best represents his emperorship? Explain your reasoning.
I feel like the Mausoleum of Augustus represents emperorship. The reason why there are many structures that were implemented to show Augusts power and successes. This mausoleum was built right after he declared victory in the battle of Actium. In the mausoleum there are drums, brick, and bronze pillars to represent the Res Gestate.
What do you think about Augustus as a person? What do you think about Augustus' leadership style? Was Augustus a "good" leader?
I think Augustus was a really good person and good fit for a leader. He was able to expand rome by making monumental enterprises, the pax romana was established under his rule (it was a time of peace and stability, and was able to take his history into his own hands. An example, was that he created the Res Gestae (his own autobiography) and statuary (youthful appearance).
Were Roman military camps any place to raise a child? Did Caligula stand a chance of being "normal?" Or of being a successful emperor?
The military camps were not a place for a child. The reason for this is because there are bigger men, weapons, and disturbing substances (like blood). I do not think Caligula had a chance of being normal, because he might have saw something that might have scarred him for life, and he might have gotten PTSD from when he was younger. He was most likely not able to live a life a normal child would live. He was probably not brought up to be a successful emperor because all he knew was violence and military ways instead of emperor ways of thinking.
Due to Nero's age, was Nero's rule ever going to go well? Should a 21 year old be handed the unbridled rule of an empire? What decisions led to Nero's downfall?
No, because since he was 16 he did was not experienced enough and most likely does not know how work through problems like an adult would do. Nero killed his mom, who helped him make designs and he also did not take accountability for anything. He would always blame the christians.
What is the only group that the emperor needs the support of in order to claim the emperorship?
The military. He had to only gain the support from the military because he had already gained support from the legions who had proclaimed him as emperor. His army had marched on Rome and Vespasian had tried to send emissaries for peace talks but that didn't work. The military was an important group of people to the Romans and their support was crucial.
How does the Templum Pacis serve to represent the imperial political policies of Vespasian? What is Vespasian's purpose behind building the Templum Pacis?
It represents the funds for construction from the sacking of Jerusalem. It also had interior and surrounding buildings decorated both treasures collect by the roman army. It was symbolic of peace established by Vespasian. Which imitates the symbolism of Ara pacis of Augustus
What purpose did the Colosseum serve for Roman society? What benefit does the Colosseum's existence serve for the Roman Emperor?
The purposed was made for entertainment for the citizens in Rome which included gladiatorial fights, naval battles, war re-enactment, and sacrifices. Since the roman emperors were in charge of distributing tickets they were sponsors, and there was also propaganda.
Keeping in mind Damnatio Memoriae, do you think it is possible to truly understand in modern times whether an Emperor like Domitian was a good or bad ruler?
No i do not think we are able to determine if he was good or bad. The reason for this is because the Demnatio Memoriae, which means damnation of memory, only covers and distributes the bad things that he did and not the good things, which in a way is bias. We are not able to determine what he did good.
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