The Early Romans

History

A land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops

Arable

A land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops. Arable. In history, arable land was crucial for the development of early civilizations as it allowed for agriculture and settlement.

A public square in a Roman city reserved primarily for the vending of goods

Forum

A public square in a Roman city reserved primarily for the vending of goods. Forum. In ancient Rome, a forum was like a marketplace where people gathered to trade goods and discuss important matters.

A union of sovereign groups or states, united for purposes of common action

Confederation

A union of sovereign groups or states, united for purposes of common action. Confederation. In History, a confederation is a loose alliance of states or groups that retain their independence but cooperate on certain issues, like the United States under the Articles of Confederation.

The legendary founder and first king of Rome

Romulus

The legendary founder and first king of Rome. Romulus. Romulus is a mythical figure who, according to Roman legend, established the city of Rome in 753 BC.

The twin brother of the mythical founder of Rome Romulus

Remus

The twin brother of the mythical founder of Rome Romulus. Remus. Remus is a character from Roman mythology who was one of the legendary founders of Rome along with his brother Romulus.

A Trojan hero, casted in Roman mythology as an ancestor of Romulus and Remus

Aeneas

A Trojan hero, casted in Roman mythology as an ancestor of Romulus and Remus. Aeneas is a legendary figure who helped link Roman history to the ancient Greeks.

The legendary fourth king of Rome

Ancus Marcius

The legendary fourth king of Rome. Ancus Marcius. Ancus Marcius is known for expanding Rome's territory and building important infrastructure like the Pons Sublicius, Rome's first bridge over the Tiber River.

The legendary fifth king of Rome who expanded Roman power

Tarquinius Priscus

The legendary fifth king of Rome who expanded Roman power. Tarquinius Priscus was an ancient Roman king known for increasing Rome's influence and building projects.

A peninsula extending from the southern Alps to the central Mediterranean Sea

Italian Peninsula

A peninsula extending from the southern Alps to the central Mediterranean Sea. Italian Peninsula. It is a landmass in Europe where ancient Rome, one of the most influential civilizations, was founded.

The capital of the Roman Empire, the Roman Republic and the Roman Kingdom

Rome

The capital of the Roman Empire, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Kingdom. Rome. Rome is an ancient city in Italy that was the center of one of history's greatest civilizations.

A form of government in which the country is considered a ‘public matter’

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a 'public matter'. Republic. In history, a republic is a system where the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Composed of three parts, or three parties

Tripartite

Composed of three parts, or three parties. Tripartite. A tripartite is an agreement or alliance between three different groups, often seen in historical treaties or coalitions.

The title of one of the two chief magistrates of the Roman Republic

Consul

The title of one of the two chief magistrates of the Roman Republic consul. A consul was a top official in ancient Rome who helped govern the republic and led its army.

A governing and advisory assembly in ancient Rome

Senate

A governing and advisory assembly in ancient Rome. The Senate was a political institution in ancient Rome that played a key role in making decisions and advising leaders.

A political leader who possesses absolute power

Dictator

A political leader who possesses absolute power. Dictator. A dictator is a ruler with total control over a country, often seizing power undemocratically.

A group of ruling class families in ancient Rome

Patrician

A group of ruling class families in ancient Rome. Patricians were the wealthy and influential elite who held power in Roman society.

The general body of free Roman citizens known as commoners

Plebeians

The general body of free Roman citizens known as commoners. Plebeians. Plebeians were the common people in ancient Rome who had limited political power compared to the patricians.

The title of various elected officials in ancient Rome

Tribune

The title of various elected officials in ancient Rome. Tribune. A tribune was an official elected to protect the rights and interests of the common people in ancient Rome.

The legendary seventh and final king of Rome

Tarquinius Superbus

The legendary seventh and final king of Rome Tarquinius Superbus. Tarquinius Superbus was the last king of Rome before it became a republic.

A statesman and military leader who became a legendary figure of Roman virtue

Cincinnatus

A statesman and military leader who became a legendary figure of Roman virtue. Cincinnatus. He was a Roman leader who became famous for his selfless service and leadership, briefly holding power before returning to his farm.

Assimilation of newly incorporated populations by the Romans

Romanize

Assimilation of newly incorporated populations by the Romans. Romanize. To "romanize" means to adopt Roman culture, language, and customs.

A Carthaginian general who commanded Carthage's forces against the Romans

Hannibal

A Carthaginian general who commanded Carthage's forces against the Romans. Hannibal was a brilliant military leader known for his strategic prowess during the Second Punic War.

A Roman general often seen as one of the best military commanders of all time

Scipio Africanus

A Roman general often seen as one of the best military commanders of all time. Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal in the Second Punic War.

The king of Macedonia who unsuccessfully struggled with the Roman Republic

Philip V

The king of Macedonia who unsuccessfully struggled with the Roman Republic, Philip V. He was a ruler who tried to resist Roman expansion but was eventually defeated.

A Roman statesman and general who conquered the Achaean League

Mummius

A Roman statesman and general who conquered the Achaean League. Mummius was the Roman leader responsible for the destruction of Corinth in 146 BC.

A Greek geographer who wrote famous 'Description of Greece'

Pausanias

A Greek geographer who wrote the famous 'Description of Greece'. Pausanias. Pausanias was an ancient traveler known for documenting the landmarks and traditions of ancient Greece.

The last king of Pergamon who left the kingdom to the Roman Republic

Attalus III

The last king of Pergamon who left the kingdom to the Roman Republic, Attalus III. Attalus III was the ruler who bequeathed his kingdom to Rome, expanding the Roman territory in 133 BC.

The capital city of the ancient Carthaginian civilization

Carthage

The capital city of the ancient Carthaginian civilization. Carthage. Carthage was an ancient powerful city in North Africa known for its conflicts with Rome in the Punic Wars.

An ancient kingdom on the periphery of Classical Greece, and later the dominant state of Hellenistic Greece

Macedonia

An ancient kingdom on the periphery of Classical Greece, and later the dominant state of Hellenistic Greece. Macedonia. Macedonia was a powerful ancient kingdom that rose to prominence under leaders like Philip II and Alexander the Great.

A city-state in Ancient Greece, which was a commercial center

Corinth

A city-state in Ancient Greece, which was a commercial center. Corinth. Corinth was a powerful and wealthy city known for its strategic location and thriving trade in ancient times.

A region of Greece which twelve cities were grouped into an early Achaean League

Achaea

A region of Greece which twelve cities were grouped into an early Achaean League. Achaea. Achaea is an ancient region in Greece that played a key role in forming the Achaean League, an early alliance of city-states.

Rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Mysia

Pergamum

Rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Mysia. Pergamum. It was a major cultural and political center in the ancient world known for its magnificent library and impressive architecture.

A region of Western Europe inhabited by Celtic tribes

Gaul

A region of Western Europe inhabited by Celtic tribes. Gaul. Gaul was an ancient region that included modern-day France and Belgium, home to various Celtic tribes before Roman conquest.

A political regime ruled by three powerful individuals known as triumvirs

Triumvirate

A political regime ruled by three powerful individuals known as triumvirs. Triumvirate. In History, a triumvirate is a power-sharing agreement among three leaders who jointly control the government.

The murder of a prominent person

Assassination

The murder of a prominent person. Assassination. In history, assassination refers to the deliberate killing of a significant or influential figure, often for political reasons.

A tribune of the plebs who sponsored several reforms of agrarian legislation

Tiberius Gracchus

A tribune of the plebs who sponsored several reforms of agrarian legislation. Tiberius Gracchus. Tiberius Gracchus was a Roman politician who tried to redistribute land to benefit the poor.

A Roman Popularis politician and tribune, brother of the reformer Tiberius Gracchus

Gaius Gracchus

Gaius Gracchus, a Roman Popularis politician and tribune, brother of the reformer Tiberius Gracchus. He was a significant figure in Roman history known for his efforts to implement reforms that supported the common people.

A general and statesman noted for his important reforms of Roman armies

Gaius Marius

A general and statesman noted for his important reforms of Roman armies, Gaius Marius. Gaius Marius was a Roman leader who restructured and strengthened the military.

A Roman general and statesman who have attacked and kept Athens and Rome

Sulla

A Roman general and statesman who have attacked and kept Athens and Rome. Sulla. Sulla was a Roman general and dictator known for seizing control of Rome and initiating constitutional reforms that strengthened the power of the Senate.

An important military and political leader of the late Roman Republic

Pompey

An important military and political leader of the late Roman Republic. Pompey. He was a Roman general who greatly expanded the Republic's territories and was part of the first triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Crassus.

A Roman general, politician and triumvir of the First Triumvirate

Crassus

A Roman general, politician and triumvir of the First Triumvirate. Crassus. Crassus was a wealthy and powerful Roman leader who formed a political alliance with Julius Caesar and Pompey.

A statesman and military general who played a critical role in the rise of the Roman Empire

Julius Caesar

A statesman and military general who played a critical role in the rise of the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar. He was a leader who expanded Roman territories and helped transition Rome from a republic to an empire.

A Roman senator known for moral integrity and conflict with Julius Caesar

Cato

A Roman senator known for moral integrity and conflict with Julius Caesar. Cato. Cato was a politician in ancient Rome who opposed corruption and resisted Julius Caesar's rise to power.

A Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and philosopher

Cicero

A Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and philosopher. Cicero. Cicero was a key figure in the late Roman Republic, known for his speeches and writings that shaped Western thought.