The Roman Republic (509-31 BCE) - AP European History

Ceres is the Roman Goddess of the harvest, as well as fertility and motherhood. Ceres’ Greek equivalent was the Goddess Demeter.

These great stone aqueducts marked much of Rome's territory. While some of these other options may have been used within Roman cities, the aqueduct efficiently transported water from outside sources to the cities by using gravity.

Juno is the Roman Goddess of marriage, childbirth, and the protector of women. She was the wife of Jupiter. Juno’s equivalent in Greek mythology is Hera.

The Roman Forum was the social center of life in the city of Rome throughout the history of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. It most likely began life as a central marketplace, which over time grew into a hub and a shared social space.

The Apennines run through the center of the Italian peninsula. Rome is located on the west of the Apennines and was protected from some foreign invasions by this mountain range.

The Latin League was a confederation of geographically related cities and towns. After their unsuccessful was with Priscus they were "convinced" to join the Kingdom of Rome. Priscus also fought the Sabines, but this was after his aggression against the Latin League.

Claudius Ptolemy was a Greco-Egyptian scholar and scientist who lived in Alexandria, in Roman Egypt, during the second century CE. He was an accomplished mathematician and scientist and wrote extensively on geography, astronomy, and astrology.

Gaius Marius is an extremely important figure in the history of the Roman Republic. He is perhaps most notable for the reforms he enacted to professionalize the Roman army. He was also the primary rival to Lucius Sulla. The two competed for control of the city of Rome during the First Civil War of the Roman Republic.

The Samnite War was one of the many wars fought by the Roman Republic in the fourth and third centuries BCE for control over the Italian peninsula. Like the Latin War and the Pyrrhic War, the Samnite War ended in victory for the Roman Republic and the growth of Roman territory on the Italian peninsula.

The Pater familia was a legal entity governing over the individual family. The emperor was not considered the head of the family, nor were church leaders. By eliminating these two incorrect options, we decide between the father or the mother as the head of the family. Remember that in ancient Rome, the father represented not only the head of a family, but was designated by the state to be in charge.

The power in the Roman Kingdom was largely centered on the King. The Senate was NOT an independent body, it could only be assembled at the behest of the King.

The Roman Republic came into existence in the second-half of the sixth century BCE. Previously, Rome had been governed by a monarchy. It is worth noting that much of the history of this time period is shrouded in myth and legend, but it is generally believed that Rome was ruled by a succession of seven kings, before the last king, Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown in a violent revolution.

In the early years of the Roman Republic, it was common for poor plebeians to be enslaved by patricians if they accumulated significant debts. This debt slavery was abolished in 450 BCE with the codification of Roman law through the Twelve Tables.

The term interregnum is a Latin term that literally means “between kings.” During the period of time when Rome was ruled by a monarchy, the kingdom would enter a period of interregnum _f_ollowing the death of a king. In the Roman Kingdom, during interregnum, power would devolve to the Senate who would then elect a new king.

A republic is a system of government in which people elect representatives to enact laws on their behalf. It is distinct from direct democracy in that the people do not actually get to vote on issues themselves, but instead appoint representatives. It was the political system which prevailed in Rome from 507 BCE until the rise of the Roman Empire in 27 BCE. It is also the political system which prevails in the modern United States of America.

In the Roman Kingdom, the Senate was responsible for nominating and electing a king. After a king died, the Senate was convened to appoint a new ruler. That ruler would then have to be approved by the people, the Gods, and the Curiate Assembly (a government body under the effective control of the Senate).

During the history of the Roman Kingdom, the Curiate Assembly had the final authority over the appointment of a king. The Curiate Assembly was a government body made up of wealthy patricians and under the effective control of the Roman Senate.

The procedure for the nomination and appointment of a Roman monarch was quite convoluted. First, the Senate had to choose a candidate for the monarchy. Then, that monarch needed to get the support of the people. Next, he had to court the approval of the Curiate Assembly. Finally, a would-be monarch needed religious approval and the reaffirmed support of the Senate. Only after all this would a ruler have the title of imperium conferred upon him and become king.

The Roman god of war was named Mars. In Roman mythology, Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus, the two supposed founders of Rome.

Inspiration for Mars was taken from Ares, the god of war in Ancient Greek Mythology. The myths and legends of Ares were often taken and reinterpreted in Roman literature with Mars taking the place of Ares.

The Roman God Janus was principally the God of doors and gateways. In Roman tradition Janus also rules over beginnings and ends, making him the natural God to be celebrated at the end of a war. Janus has no equivalent in Greek mythology.