Ancient Rome Vocabulary Republic form of government that is governed by representatives of the people Senate made up of Patricians (rich noblemen) who decided how money was spent and made decisions about relationships with other countries Assembly made up of Plebeians (common working people) who protected the rights of the people Dictator person who rules with absolute power Pax Romana a period of peace in Rome Consuls made up of military leaders who made laws and ordered arrests Patricians rich nobleman that owned land Plebeians common working people (farmers, tradesmen) Forum gathering place for Ancient Romans (laws were displayed, speeches were given) Imperator someone who gives commands Notes Rome was a republic before becoming an empire Roman republic was governed by 3 branches of government 1. Senate 2. Assembly 3. Consuls Julius Caesar 1. dictator of Roman Empire 2. had control of the government and made many changes 3. he did not listen to the Senate (they didn’t like the changes Julius Caesar made) 4. started a civil war (war within the Roman Empire) 5. was stabbed to death 6. chaos in Rome after his death Augustus Caesar 1. takes over after Julius Caesar 2. called “imperator” 3. Pax Romana begins Pax Romana 1. 200 years of peace 2. laws were created 3. built roads, bridges, monuments 4. Colosseum, Circus Maxiumus (gladiator contests, chariot races) 5. Romans spoke and wrote in Latin (became basis for other languages such as, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) 6. many poems, plays, and philosophical writings were created Marcus Aurelius 1. when he dies, Pax Romana ends Fall of Roman Empire 1. bad leadership (most leaders were assassinated by new leader) 2. foreign invaders grow stronger 3. money problems (bribes, spending, making cheaper coins) 4. food was scarce 5. not enough jobs 6. crime Romulus Augustus – last Roman emperor .