History
Rome, founded in 753 BCE, has a rich history involving conquest, defeat, prosperity, and hardships. For the Latin III-IV Prose Exam, you will need to know prominent people and events from the late Roman Republic and early Empire.
Prominent People from the Late Roman Republic and Early Empire
Cicero
Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and writer. He supported the Roman Republic during the final civil wars of the republic. He wrote rhetoric, orations, philosophy, political treatises, and letters. Now he is remembered as one of the greatest writers of Roman history. He is also known for shaming Catiline with his orations. He did this because he knew that Catiline was plotting against Rome.
Clodius
Publius Clodius Pulcher was the head of a band of political ‘thugs.’ He was an enemy of Cicero during the end of the Republic, and eventually killed by men that Cicero had hired. Clodius is best known for his progressive legislature including when he created a grain dole system.
Crassus
Marcus Licinius Crassus was a Roman politician and general that fought and defeated the rebellion forces of gladiator Spartacus. Crassus is best known for his extreme wealth; he may be the wealthiest man to have ever lived.
Catiline
Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline) was a Roman senator in the first century BCE. He is best known for his attempt to overthrow the Republic, more specifically the powerful senate. He was shamed for this plot during Cicero's orations
The Five Good Emperors
The Five Good Emperors were the emperors during a very successful time in the Roman Empire’s history. The five were: Nerva (r. 96-98 CE), Trajan (r. 98-117 CE), Hadrian (r. 117-138 CE), Antoninus Pius (r. 138-161 CE), Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180 CE).
The Flavian Emperors
In 69 CE, the Flavians rose to power in Rome, and began the 28 year reign. The rulers were Vespasian (69–79), Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96).
Prominent Events from the Late Roman Republic and Early Empire
Battle of Pharsalus
This battle was an important battle in The Great Roman Civil War (Caesar’s Civil War) which took place in August of 48 BCE. At Pharsalus, in central Greece, Caesar very decisively defeated Pompey with a unique military tactic. In this battle, Caesar was greatly outnumbered by Pompey; 22,000 soldiers against 45,000 soldiers. 24,000 of Pompey's soldiers surrendered, while the rest either fled or were killed. Caesar only lost 250 soldiers. When Caesar saw all that had happened, he said “Hoc Voluerunt” meaning “They would have it so.”
Battle of Philippi
This battle was the last battle in the Wars of the Second Triumvirate after the death of Julius Caesar. Mark Antony and Octavian fought against Brutus and his brother in law, Gaius Cassius Longinus. The battle was essentially a draw overall, but Brutus’ forces were mostly defeated, and Brutus committed suicide.
Vesuvius
Mt. Vesuvius is a volcano outside of Pompeii and next to the Bay of Naples which erupted in 79 BCE, thereby covering the city of Pompeii with ash. The site has since been excavated to uncover information about ancient Roman life. An estimated 15,000 people died from the event, and the eruption itself was devastating to the area. Pliny the Elder was a Roman author, naturalist, natural philosopher, naval commander, and army commander. He wrote the gold standard on encyclopedias in his Naturalis Historia. He died on August 25, 79 AD in the Mt. Vesuvius eruption and was an uncle to Pliny the Younger. Pliny the Younger was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. He wrote several letters following the eruption giving details about its events as well as the the actions of his uncle leading up to his death.