Aedile – one of four annual magistrates in charge of markets, trade, public buildings, and public entertainment. By giving games young politicians could gain popularity.
Auxiliary troops (auxilia) – usually non-citizen detachments of cavalry or specialized troops (e.g., archers) who fought to support the legionaries.
Campus Martius – the “Field of Mars” was the area of Rome used during the Republic for military training and the Comitia Centuriata. Augustus built many buildings, including the Pantheon and his mausoleum, in this area.
Censor – two censors were chosen every five years to take the official census of citizens.
Centurion – official responsible for the functioning of a Roman legion; each commanded about one hundred men (century).
Comitia Centuriata – assembly of citizens organized into 193 “centuries” for elections and passage of laws.
Comitium – place in front of the Senate House for meetings of citizens.
Concilium plebis – the assembly of the plebeians who elected plebeian officials (tribunes).
Consul – one of the two magistrates elected annually with supreme civil and military power.
Curia – Roman citizens met assembly by curiae (comitia curiata) for certain purposes.
Cursus honorum – the series of offices which Roman senators held in order.
Dictator – sole magistrate appointed for a limited period to deal with a crisis; in the late Republic Sulla and Caesar transformed this constitutional office into absolute power.
Eques, equites – “knights” were the group of Romans just below senators. They gradually became the leading businessmen of the Republic. In the Empire they were an important part of the civil service.
Fasces – bundles of rods carried before a magistrate as a symbol of power.
Flamen – priest; “Flamen Dialis” was priest of Jupiter.
Freedman – a former slave who, with freedom, usually becomes a Roman citizen.
Imperator – title of a republican military commander which was later used by the emperor.
Imperium – authority of a magistrate to command troops.
Lares – household gods worshipped in a family shrine.
Optimates– “men of the optimi (‘best people’)” who drew support from senatorial traditionalists.
Pater Patriae – “father of the fatherland” – title bestowed on Augustus and later emperors.
Patria Potestas – legal power of the head of the Roman family over its members.
Plebs, plebeians – used for the common people of Rome
Populares – “men of the people” sought political support from the masses of citizens.
Praetor – annual magistrate with imperium, but ranking below consul; one duty was control of lawcourts.
Princeps– “leading man” which Augustus and his successors used as the title for the emperor.
Proconsul, proprietor – ex-magistrate whose power of imperium is extended to govern a province.
Quaestor – annual magistrate, usually a financial administrator. This was the first step on the cursus honorum.
Rex – “king.”
Tribune – “tribune of the people” was elected by the plebeian assembly to defend the people by exercise of the veto; tribune is also used for a military official in the Empire.
Triumph – honors voted to a victorious general which included a celebratory procession.
Veto – “I forbid” – a magistrate can veto the action of a colleague, and the tribune of the people can veto the action of the Senate.