Glossary
Key Terms and References From the Play
The Alps
The mountain range that separates the Italian Peninsula from Europe.
Asp
A venomous snake native to Egypt.
Garland
A wreath of leaves denoting praise to the one wearing it.
Julius Caesar
A member of the first triumvirate who consolidated power and declared himself dictator.
The River Lethe
A river in the Roman underworld that has the power to wipe memories.
The Mediterranean Sea
The sea between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Rome entirely encompassed it, referring to it as Mare Nostrum (our sea).
Narcissus
A mythological man cursed to fall in love with himself.
The Nile
A river in Egypt that serves as an important artery for trade and supports agriculture.
Pantheon of Gods
The Roman pantheon is a collection of gods and faiths gathered from both their own past as well as from those they conquered. Examples: Jupiter (king of the gods), Juno (goddess of marriage), Venus (goddess of love), Mars (god of war), Isis (Egyptian goddess of magic), Cupid (child of Venus and god of love).
Pompey the Great
A general in the first triumvirate who commanded the Roman navy.
The Roman Empire
The period of Roman history where Rome was ruled by an emperor.
The Roman Republic
The period of Roman history where Rome was ruled by the Senate and Consuls and justice was delivered by the Praetors.
Sardinia
The second largest island in the Mediterranean, west of the Italian Peninsula and north of Sicily.
Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean, off the southern tip of the Italian Peninsula.
Soothsayer
A fortune teller.
Triumvirate
A group of three men who would rule Rome together.
Triumvirs
The term to denote a member of a triumvirate.
Triumph
A parade through Rome that displayed captives and loot from conquered lands.