Details Title: 11.4 How Rome Conquered the World Description: Flashcards for A Beka Book Old World History & Geography Ch.11.4 Total Flash Cards: 17 Created: 09/30/2009 17:37:31		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional History Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term Latin League Definition In 509 B.C., Rome overthrew the Etruscans, who had ruled over them for more than 100 years. The Latin tribes joined together with Rome to form the Latin League. The cities within this league helped each other fight their many enemies. The league worked for a while, but as Romans gradually grew stronger and stronger,k the Latins began to fear them. By 338 B.C. the Romans had conquered the other Latins. Fearing Rome, the Greek colonies in southern Italy asked the king of Greece for help in defeating Rome. The Greeks gave Rome several hard blows, but by 270 B.C., all the Greek cities in southern Italy belonged to Rome. Term Carthage Definition Across the Mediterranean Sea from Italy was the great African city of Carthage, which had be founded by the Phoenicians as a trading post. By 300 B.C., Carthage had become a major power in the Mediterranean world. She had a powerful navy that allowed her to control parts of Spain and western Sicily. Fearful of the power of Carthage and jealous of her weath, Rome desired to conquer her. Over the course of 23 years Rome fought three wars with Carthage. These wars were called the Punic Wars, after the Roman name for the Phoenicians. Term First Punic War Definition During the first war, Rome conquered the island of Sicily. Term Second Punic War Definition During the second war, Carthage surrendered the Iberian Peninsula (modern Spain ad Portugal). Carthage was led by Hannibal during the Second Punic War. Term Hannibal Definition Hannibal sailed his army of about 40,000 men across the Mediterranean Sea to Spain, marched through Spain and across Gaul. Hundreds of mules and horses and thirty-seven war elephants carried the army's food and equipment. To get into Italy, Hannibal had to cross the steep, snow covered Alps. Many men, horses, and elephants plunged to their death during the treacherous crossing, but at last the army arrived in Italy, where the Carthaginians won several battles before they were finally driven back to Africa by the Romans. Term Gaul Definition modern-day France. Term Third Punic War Definition Durin the third war, Rome completely destroyed the city of Carthage by burning it and sowing the land with salt. Salt made the land useless for growing plants for many years. Without crops to supply food, Carthage could not be rebuilt. Term Macedonia & Greece Definition During the period of the Punic Wars, Rome also attached other countries. Macedonia, the homeland of Alexander the Great, had helped Carthage. To get even, Rome conquered Macedonia. At the same time,l the city-states of Greece were quarreling among themselves. Rome also conquered them. By 146 B.C., 177 years after the death of Alexander the Great, the Balkan Peninsula was just another part of the Roman Empire. Term Pergamum Definition The kingdom of Pergamum was located in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The king of Pergamum was friendly with Rome. In 133 B.C., Pergamum's king knew he was dying, and had no heir. He asked Rome to take over his kingdom, Rome accepted. Pergamum was Rome's first province in Asia. Term Syria & Mesopotamia Definition By 129 B.C., Rome had conquered Mesopotamia. In 64 B.C., Syria also became a Roman province. Palestine, which had been under Syrian rule, now had to obey Roman law. Term Julius Caesar Definition In 59 B.C., Julius Caesar was elected consul of Rome. At the end of his one-year term Julius Caesar was well-liked by the people. He set out to conquer Gaul. Julius Caesar became one of the greatest military leaders in history. Altoghether he spent 9 years in Gaul, and he crossed the English channel to invade Britain twice. Julius Caesar became dictator of Rome from 49 to 45 B.C. Caesar pardoned his enemies, did his best to stop dishonesty, provided jobs for the poor, and planned many projects that would benefit Rome. On March 15, 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Senators who plotted against him. His murderers thought they would be considered heros, but instead they had to flee for their lives. Term Britain Definition The western frontier of the Roman Empire. Term Rubicon River Definition The Senate ordered Ceasar to disband his army and return to Rome. Instead Caesar led his army across the Rubicon River and into Italy. By crossing the Rubicon, Julius Caesar began a civil war. As Caesar ad his army approached, city after city in Italy opened its gates to him. Frightened by Caesar's military power, Pompey and most of the Senate fled Rome. To this day the term "crossing the Rubicon" meas committing a dead that can never be reversed. Term dictator Definition A person who has absolute rule in his country's government, controlling all of its major decisions. Term Mark Antony Definition Caesar's closest friend and assistant. He siezed power after Caesar was assasinated. Term Octavian Definition Julius Caesar's grandnephew, and adopted son. After Julius Caesar's death Octavian and Mark Antony tried to rule together for a time, but they disagreed and ended up fighting each other for control. Term Pompeii Definition A city that was near to Mt. Vesuvius. It was destroyed on August 24, 79 A.D. by Mt. Vesuvius's eruption.