The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Nonfiction | Book | Adult

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Chapters 7-8

Chapters 9-10

Chapters 11-12

Chapters 13-14

Key Figures

Themes

Index of Terms

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Index of Terms

Augustus

Meaning the “illustrious” or “exalted” one in Latin, Augustus was a special name granted to Octavian Caesar by the Roman Senate after he assumed power. Later emperors used “Augustus” as a title. By about the third century, it came to refer to the senior emperor in the same way as “Caesar” was used as a title for a junior co-emperor or the imperial heir. Following Diocletian’s political reforms, the two senior emperors were both called Augusti.

Caesar

Caesar was the surname of Julius Caesar, who was the great-uncle and adopted father of the first emperor, Augustus. In life, Julius Caesar made himself dictator for life over Rome and was assassinated. “Caesar” became a title used by emperors, even the ones who reigned after the downfall of Nero who were biologically unrelated to Julius Caesar and Augustus. Over time, “Caesar” was the title used by the junior co-emperor or the designated heir of the reigning emperor. After Diocletian reformed the imperial system, the two junior co-emperors were called the Caesars.

Consul

Before the emperors, the two consuls were the executive office of the republic, much like a president or a prime minister. However, there were always two consuls in office sharing power, and their terms were usually limited to a year.

Emperor

Derived from the Latin term “imperator,” which meant general, emperor is the title historians use for the rulers of the Roman Empire. The first such emperor was Augustus. “Imperator” was used consistently as a title by the emperors, although it was often only one of a number of titles they used.

Equestrian Order

In Rome’s class system, the equestrian order or the “equites” were just below the senatorial order. Their name translates to “knights” in English. They were so named because they traditionally served as the cavalry fighters in the legions.

Legion

The legion was the largest and central unit of the Roman army, consisting of both infantry and cavalry. Traditionally, their ranks were filled with Roman citizens.

Praetorian Guard

The praetorians were an elite squadron within the Roman military founded by the Emperor Augustus. They served as city guards in Rome and as the bodyguards of the emperors. The praetorian guard was disbanded by the Emperor Diocletian after many years of the guard playing a serious role in political crises over the succession.

Senate of Rome

The Roman Senate was a legislative assembly that, at its peak, also had responsibilities over judicial matters. With the rise of Emperor Augustus, the Senate lost much of its political power. Even so, the Senate asserted its right to consent to the elevation of a new emperor, although this right became increasingly empty over the decades. Under the Emperor Diocletian, the influence of the Senate was reduced even further, so much so that the Senate basically became a glorified city council. Rome’s upper class was called the “senatorial order” because only members of that class were eligible for membership in the Senate.