An economy where wealth and power are primarily based on owning and farming the land.
The Roman ideal of a citizen who owns a small plot of land and serves in the army to protect and expand the state.
The two main social classes of the early Republic. The Patricians were the wealthy elite, while the Plebeians were the common citizens.
The centuries-long political conflict between the patricians and plebeians over economic and political rights.
A harsh form of debt contract where a borrower could be forced into servitude by their creditor if they failed to repay a loan.
The management of a state's money to fund projects for the public good.
Basic physical structures needed for a society, such as roads.
One of Rome's earliest and most famous roads, a major feat of public finance.
A series of three major wars fought between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire for dominance over the Western Mediterranean.
Professional soldiers who are hired to fight for a foreign army, motivated by pay rather than loyalty.
The Roman ideal of a citizen who owns land and serves in the army as an obligation to the state.
A form of debt issued by a government to finance a war. The patriotic "donations" of wealthy Romans served a similar function.
A sum of money paid by the losing side in a war to the winner as compensation.
The ability of an economy and society to withstand and recover from major shocks, such as a devastating military defeat.
The iconic silver coin introduced by the Roman Republic around 211 BCE as part of a major monetary reform.
The act of reducing the amount of precious metal in a coin while keeping its official face value the same.
A complete overhaul of a country's currency system to restore trust and create a stable standard of value.
A common measure of worth that allows the value of different goods and services to be compared.
The promise and authority of a government that backs the value of its currency.
Information or imagery used to promote a political cause. The symbols on the denarius served this purpose.
The divine figures whose images appeared on the first denarii, symbolizing Roman resolve and divine favor.
Large, industrial-scale agricultural estates owned by the wealthy elite and worked primarily by enslaved people.
"Public land" in Latin; the territories conquered by Rome.
A large concentration of money and other assets that can be used for investment.
The significant and growing gap between the richest members of society and the general population.
A class of wealthy Roman citizens who were not senators, primarily involved in business and finance.
Private companies, usually led by equites, that won state contracts to collect taxes in Roman provinces.
A powerful official in the Roman Republic elected to protect the rights of the common people (the plebeians) from the wealthy elite (the patricians).
"Public land" in Latin. The Gracchi brothers' reforms sought to redistribute this land from the wealthy back to landless citizens.
A political effort to redistribute agricultural land, typically from a small number of wealthy owners to a larger population.
The use of physical force, riots, and assassination to achieve political or economic goals, replacing debate and legal processes.
A government action to reduce the price of a key food staple for its citizens. Gaius Gracchus's law was an early form of this.
A situation where one party gets involved in a risky event knowing that they are protected against the risk and another party will incur the cost.
A permanent, full-time military force whose soldiers view their service as a long-term career and are paid a regular salary by their commander or the state.
A military force whose soldiers' primary loyalty is not to the state, but to their general, who acts as their "patron" by guaranteeing their pay and retirement benefits.
Published lists of individuals who are declared outlaws and can be killed without trial, with their property confiscated by the state or the warlord in power.
The act of the state seizing private property without compensation, often as a penalty or a way to fund the state and reward political allies.
The wealth and assets seized from a defeated enemy, which Caesar used to pay off his debts and create a fiercely loyal client army.
An obligation owed to another. Caesar's early career was funded by massive personal debt.
A private political alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Marcus Licinius Crassus to dominate Roman politics.
A war between organized groups within the same state.
A Roman emergency office with absolute power. Caesar had himself appointed "dictator in perpetuity."
Infrastructure projects financed by the state for public use.
A reorganization of debts to make them more manageable, such as by reducing interest rates or forgiving some principal.
Published lists of political enemies who were declared outlaws and could be killed without trial, with their property confiscated.
The form of government established by Augustus, a monarchy disguised as a republic.
A state where a currency is trustworthy, its value is predictable, and it is free from wild inflation or debasement.
The central treasury of the Roman state.
The new, dedicated treasury established by Augustus to manage the pay and retirement benefits for soldiers.
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