Notes on the Rise of Rome

Important Dates

• Ninth Century BC: Etruscans move into Italy
• Eighth Century BC: First Greek colonies in southern Italy; settlements near the mouth of the Tiber River join to form the city-state of Rome
• Seventh Century BC: Etruscans conquer Latium
• 500 BC: Rome overthrows Etruscan ruler
• 450 BC: Twelve Tables, first written Roman legan code
• 264-146 BC: Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage
• 250 BC: All of Italy south of the River Po is in Roman hands; plebeians share political rights with patricians 
• 202 BC: Rome wins control of western Mediterranean
• First Century BC: Most non-Romans in Italy win citizen rights; Romans expand into the eastern Mediterranean and then into western Europe
• 44 BC: Julius Caesar becomes dictator for life; members of the Senate assassinate him
• 31 BC: Octavian's forces defeat Antony and Cleopatra; Octavian becomes supreme ruler of rome

Key Words:

1. Patricians-Upper-class citizens who belonged to the oldest and noblest Roman families
2. Republic-In reference to ancient Rome, the system of city-state in which decision-making power was shared between the Senate and assemblies of male citizens.
3. Plebeians-The Roman common people, including workers, small farmers, and wealthy people who were not patricians.
4. Senate-In ancient Rome, a government assembly appointed by the king, and under the Republic by consuls; originally all members were patricians, but in time wealthy people plebeians were appointed as well.  
5. Consuls-In the Roman Republic, two senators who led the government and military for one-year terms an appointed their own successors.
6. Dictator-In the Roman Republic, a single leader with full decision-making powers, appointed for a maximum of six-month term during times of emergency.
7. Tribunes-Magistrates elected by the plebeians, who eventually gained the power to initiate and veto laws.
8. Client-A person who provides personal services in return for money and protection from a patron.
9. Patron-A wealthy person who supports others with money and protection in exchange for personal services.
10. Pontiff-In ancient Rome, one of the Republic's leading priests.
11. Paterfamilias-The "family father" in ancient Rome, who had unlimited power over his household.
12. Matron-Title of honor given to a married woman in ancient Rome.
13. Proletarian-In ancient Rome, a propertyless but voting citizen.
14. In ancient Rome, an alliance of three politicians that enabled them to control the Republic's decision making.

Notes

• The Roman soldiers were the most feared soldiers of their time
• Rome is in the middle of the peninsula, they looked at it as an opportunity and advantage (perfect location)
• The three people who founded the Italian land : The Tuscans(2), The Greeks(3), then The Latins (first)
• Romans improved Government and Warfare
• Warfare:
• Government started as a monarchy with kings because they wanted to be like the Greeks, had a council of elders that provided the kings with thinking(senate-comes from latin "senax" which means old men) (the men had money, experience and were tied in) If a kind died the senate would meet and decide who was going to be in charge, usually chose one of their own to replace the king, may not even be related to the king - res publica (where the word republic comes from) means "the peoples business" Got rid of monarchy and king
• Patricians - Upper class, oldest families, land owners, the big shots, the "fathers" of the countries, comes from the same word as father, has connections and is in charge of land
• Plebeians - The common people
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