Chapter 10: The Roman Republic Vocabulary
1. Republic- a political system in which people elect leaders to govern them (320).
2. Dictator- ruler who has almost absolute power (temporarily during emergencies) (320).
3. Plebeian- the common people in ancient Rome (321).
4. Patrician- the nobility (wealthy landowner) in ancient Rome (321).
5. Magistrates- an elected official in Rome.
6. Consul- one of the top two government officials in ancient Rome (325).
7. Roman Senate- a council of wealthy and powerful citizens who advised Rome’s leaders (325)
8. Veto- to reject or prohibit actions and laws of other government officials (326).
9. Latin- the language of the Romans. (326)
10. Checks and Balances- a system that balances the distribution of power in a government. (327)
11. Forum- a Roman public meeting place. (327)
12. Legion- a unit of the Roman army made up of about 6, 000 soldiers (331).
13. Punic Wars- a series of wars between Rome and Carthage in the 200s and 100s B.C. (331)
14. Tribune- officials elected by the Plebeians to represent the common people (On-line).
15. Latifundia- large farming estates in ancient Rome (On-line).