Terms

1) patrician: the wealthy landowners who held most of the power
2) plebeian: the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up the majority of the population
3) tribune: representatives elected by plebeians and protected the right of them from unfair acts of patrician officials
4) consul: two Roman officials worked like kings, they commanded the army and directed the government
5) senate: the aristocratic branch of Rome's government
- had both legislative and administrative functions
- 300 members were chosen from upper class
- later plebeians were allowed in senate
6) dictator: a leader who had absolute power to make laws and command the army

- could be appointed in times of crisis

- lasted only 6 months

- chosen by consuls and then elected by senate

7) legion: a large military units that Roman soldiers were organized into

- made up of 5000 heavily armed foot soldiers (infantry) 
- a group of soldiers on horseback (cavalry) supported each legion

- divided into smaller groups of 80 men (century)

8) Punic Wars: three wars between Rome and Carthage, Carthage finally lost the wars and became one of the Roman provinces
9) Hannibal: Carthaginian general, who was a brilliant military strategist and inflicted enormous losses on the Romans in the second Punic War