lustrum - a ceremonial purification of the Roman population every five years following the census

catacomb - an underground tunnel with recesses where bodies were buried (as in ancient Rome)

circus - (antiquity) an open-air stadium for chariot races and gladiatorial games

Colosseum - amphitheater in Rome built about AD 75 or 80

pantheon - (antiquity) a temple to all the gods

toga virilis - (ancient Rome) a toga worn by a youth as a symbol of manhood and citizenship

national capital - the capital city of a nation

Seven Hills of Rome - the hills on which the ancient city of Rome was built

Italia, Italian Republic, Italy - a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD

Lateran - the site in Rome containing the church of Rome and the Lateran Palace

Holy See, State of the Vatican City, The Holy See - the smallest sovereign state in the world; the see of the Pope (as the Bishop of Rome); home of the Pope and the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church; achieved independence from Italy in 1929

Bacchus - (classical mythology) god of wine; equivalent of Dionysus

Roman - a resident of modern Rome

augur, auspex - (ancient Rome) a religious official who interpreted omens to guide public policy

centurion - (ancient Rome) the leader of 100 soldiers

gladiator - (ancient Rome) a professional combatant or a captive who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat

pontifex - a member of the highest council of priests in ancient Rome

procurator - (ancient Rome) someone employed by the Roman emperor to manage finance and taxes

sibyl - (ancient Rome) a woman who was regarded as an oracle or prophet

Roman - of or relating to or characteristic of Rome (especially ancient Rome); "Roman architecture"; "the old Roman wall"