definitions

Definition of Terms

Definitions

Geography of Italy - Italy can be found on the southern part of Europe and is characterized by a long-boot shaped peninsula , the land between the peninsula and the Alps , and several islands around it . Italy 's land area is 301 , 230 square kilometers , comprised of 294 , 202 square km of land and 7 , 210 square km of water . Italy is mostly a mountainous region , surrounded by the Alps and the Apennine mountains all over

Etruscans - The Etruscans are the modern English term or the name given to the

people of ancient Italy , including their culture and their way of life . This was from what the ancient Romans call them , as Etrusci or Tusci . These people are distinguished by their own language and their civilization has endured from a different prehistoric timeline , until it has been assimilated by the Roman Republic . Identifiable Etruscan culture dates back at around 800BC , preceding the Iron Age Villanovan culture

Paterfamilia , Plebeians , Patricians - The Paterfamilia is the head of household in the Roman times . These are males who have absolute control of all aspects of the household , and have the authority to determine the life or death of any and all of its members . They are granted these rights by the Roman law , in which they often abuse out of personal interests

The plebeians are the general body of Roman citizens they comprise most of the Roman populace , and are distinct from the privileged class which is the patricians . On the other hand , the patricians originally refer to a group of elites in the ancient Rome , families which include both the natural and adopted members . In the late Roman empire though these patricians broadened and included high court officials , as well as Byzantine Imperial governors in the West . After several years , the term patrician has been transformed to mean various terms , and subsequently a patrician would loosely define aristocrats and elite bourgeoisie in other countries

The Punic Wars - These wars were a series of three wars which was fought between Rome and Carthage during the period of 264 to 146 BC . The term Punic wars came from the Latin term for the Carthaginians which was Punici , from their Phonician ancestry

The first Punic War -The first of the three Punic wars was fought partly on land in Sicily and Africa , and on a larger extent in the aspect of naval warfare . Both Rome and Carthage lost a lot , though after more than 20 years of war , Rome was victorious , conquering the Island of Sicily and forcing Carthage to a pay a large amount of tribute . The war began as a conflict between Hiero II of Syracuse and the Mamertimes of Messina . The Mamertimes enlisted the aid of the Carthaginian navy , then betraying them by asking aid from the Roman Senate

The Second Punic War - this war is highlighted by the Carthaginian Hannibal , who was a master tactician and was able to invade Italy from the north and defeated the Roman army in...