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Ancient Rome History Flashcards
Free Classical History Revision Cards
From the Roman Republic to the fall of the Western Empire, these free History flashcards take you through Roman government, society, military campaigns and cultural achievements.
Question
According to tradition, when was Rome founded?
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Answer
753 BC, traditionally by Romulus (after whom Rome is named), who killed his twin brother Remus in a dispute over where to found the city.
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Question
What were the three main periods of Roman history?
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Answer
Kingdom (753–509 BC), Republic (509–27 BC), and Empire (27 BC–476 AD in the West; 1453 AD in the East/Byzantine Empire).
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Question
What was the Roman Republic and how was it governed?
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Answer
Rome was governed by two annually elected consuls, the Senate (advisory council of patricians), and popular assemblies. Power was designed to be shared to prevent one-man rule.
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Question
Who were the patricians and plebeians?
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Answer
Patricians: the wealthy, landowning aristocratic class who dominated early Rome. Plebeians: the common people (farmers, craftsmen, traders). The Conflict of the Orders was the plebeians' centuries-long struggle for political equality.
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Question
What was the significance of the Twelve Tables?
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Answer
Rome's first written legal code (450 BC) — publicly displayed so all citizens could know the law. A major step toward legal equality and the foundation of Roman law.
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Question
Who was Julius Caesar?
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Answer
A brilliant military general and politician who conquered Gaul, crossed the Rubicon (49 BC), won the civil war, and became dictator perpetuo. Assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March 44 BC) by senators fearing tyranny.
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Question
What was the First Triumvirate?
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Answer
An informal political alliance (60 BC) between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus — sharing power and resources to dominate Roman politics.
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Question
Who was Augustus (Octavian)?
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Answer
Julius Caesar's great-nephew and adopted heir. After defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra, he became Rome's first emperor in 27 BC — though he carefully preserved the appearance of republican institutions while holding all real power.
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Question
What was the Pax Romana?
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Answer
A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire (~27 BC–180 AD) — enabling trade, construction, and prosperity. Associated with the reigns of Augustus through to Marcus Aurelius.
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Question
What was Roman engineering and why was it significant?
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Answer
Romans built roads (connecting 85,000 km of the empire), aqueducts, bridges, the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Hadrian's Wall. Engineering enabled military movement, trade, urbanisation, and water supply.
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