Ancient Rome, officially established in 753 BCE, became a great empire that spanned from Spain to the Middle East. Ancient Rome is famous for its public works, military, and alphabet, which we continue to use. Christianity also arose in Ancient Rome, eventually becoming the religion of the empire. Christianity and Rome itself lived on until today.
It was said that “all roads led to Rome” and it might be said all of our words do as well since we use the Latin alphabet. Either way, let’s delve into a bunch of the key terms about those times.
Ancient Rome Terms In Alphabetical Orders
Aqueducts
were manmade channels that were used to deliver water to Roman towns. Ancient Rome was known for its great public works, including the presence of running water and toilets.
Augustus
was the nephew of Julius Caesar and the first Roman emperor. His name was also given to our month of August. He reigned when Jesus was born.
The Byzantium Empire
was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the East after the fall of the Roman Empire. It is named after the Greek name of the capital city, which became known as Constantinople. The empire ended in 1453.
Caesar
was the official title of a leader of the Roman Empire, originally arising from the family name of the first people holding that position. They are also known as emperors.
Carthage
was a city in North Africa, the capital of Ancient Carthage, a major sea-faring power in the Mediterranean. It eventually was a major rival of the Romans.
Christianity
is a religion arising from the followers of a Jewish preacher named Jesus who died around 30 CE. Christians are followers of the religion. It became the official religion of Rome.
Cicero
(106-43 BCE) was a major Roman statesman, lawyer, and philosopher.
The Coliseum
is a giant Roman arena, a large area used for entertainment events.
Constantine the Great
was an influential 4th-century Roman emperor (306-337) who converted to Christianity. The religion, only a few years before subject to persecution, spread like wildfire and later (after his death) became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
Consuls
were the highest political official during the Roman Republic.
Emperors
were the rulers of Rome during the Roman Empire period. Augustus was the first Roman emperor. Emperors had great power and were hereditary leaders, not elected.
Etruscans
were people who lived in Northern Italy and became a regional power. Their culture influenced the Romans in various ways. Rome itself eventually took control of their lands.
The Forum
was the area of a town square of a Roman settlement, the center of things, including the marketplace and the location of important public buildings.
Gaul
is what the Romans called the lands to the north and west of Italy, including France and Germany. Julius Caesar wrote about his battles in Gaul as many schoolchildren know.
Galen
was an influential Roman physician whose views on medicine continued to have much significance in the Middle Ages.
Gladiators
(from Latin for “sword”) were people who fought for the entertainment of the masses. A famous gladiator was Spartacus, who was involved in a failed uprising.
Hannibal
was a top Carthaginian general who famously used elephants to fight the Romans.
Julius Caesar
was a Roman general and statesman who started a dynasty. He was assassinated on the “Ides of March” (March 15th, 44 BCE). His name also was given to the month of July.
Jupiter
was the leader of the Roman gods.
Latin
is the name of the language of the Romans, which greatly influenced the English language.
Legions
were the main unit of the Roman army. Their symbol was the eagle. The strength and tactics of the Roman legions helped establish and maintain the Roman Empire.
Marcus Aurelius
was a philosopher and Roman emperor (161-180). The last of a period of good emperors, his reign was the final years of the Pax Romana.
Ovid
was a Roman poet, and author of the Metamorphoses, filled with mythical tales.
Pagans
are non-Christians, polytheists, and believers in many gods.
Patricians
were members of the elite land-owning families of Rome.
Pax Romana
was the two hundred years period of “Roman peace” that began during Augustus’ reign. It was the golden age of the Roman Empire.
Plebeians
were commoners, free members of Roman society who were not patricians.
Pompeii
was a major Roman resort city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption.
Punic Wars
were a series of wars between Rome and Carthage. Rome ultimately won, defeating Carthage in 146 BCE. “Punic” arose from the Latin term for the people of Carthage.
The Roman Republic
was the period when Rome was ruled by elected officials instead of kings. Rome began as a monarchy (rule by kings), then was a republic, and finally an empire.
Romulus and Remus
were two brothers, said to have founded Rome in 753 BCE. They were nursed by a she-wolf as babies. Romulus killed Remus and became the first king.
The Senate
(Roman Senate) was an important governing and advisory body first arising in the days of Roman kings. It continued to retain authority into the days of the Roman Empire.
Seneca
was a leading Roman philosopher who lived in the first century.
Tacitus
was a major Roman historian. Livy and Suetonius are two others.
Togas
were long robes worn by Roman citizens and were symbolic clothing of public officials.
Vestal Virgins
were priestesses of the Roman goddess Vesta, who protected the house and home. They took care of the sacred fire of Vesta, an important religious duty.
Virgil
was a Roman poet. He wrote the Aeneid, a mythical account of the founding of Rome.