7. Ancient Rome Flashcards
Which of the following best describes the mixed legacy of Ancient Rome?
a) It brought law, culture, and brutal imperialism.
b) It inspired agricultural reforms in Europe.
c) It was primarily known for military conquests.
d) It emphasized self-sufficient rural lifestyles.
a) It brought law, culture, and brutal imperialism.
What aspect of Ancient Rome remains a foundation of Western traditions?
a) Its rejection of urban lifestyles.
b) Its advancements in industrial technology.
c) Its fusion of Latin and Greek culture.
d) Its focus on feudal systems.
c) Its fusion of Latin and Greek culture.
What marks the beginning of the Roman Republic?
a) The reorganization of the empire in 284 CE.
b) The establishment of the Republic in 509 BCE.
c) The resignation of the last Western Roman Emperor.
d) The rise of Augustus Caesar.
b) The establishment of the Republic in 509 BCE.
During which period did Rome flourish while reaching its ecological limits of expansion?
a) Late Empire (284–476 CE)
b) Middle Ages (post-476 CE)
c) Early Empire (31 BCE–284 CE)
d) Roman Republic (509–31 BCE)
c) Early Empire (31 BCE–284 CE)
What is traditionally associated with the Late Empire period?
a) The peak of Roman territorial expansion.
b) The reorganization of the Roman state under Diocletian.
c) The fall of the Western Roman Empire.
d) The establishment of the Republic.
c) The fall of the Western Roman Empire.
How did the memory of Ancient Rome influence Europeans after its fall?
a) It inspired dreams of universal law and order.
b) It caused the rejection of Roman artistic traditions.
c) It encouraged the abandonment of centralized authority.
d) It led to innovations in agricultural techniques.
a) It inspired dreams of universal law and order.
Memories of Rome’s earlier republic inspired which group of people?
a) Those who supported feudalism.
b) Those who wanted to limit or overthrow monarchs.
c) Those who sought to expand monarchies.
d) Those who rejected political reform.
b) Those who wanted to limit or overthrow monarchs.
Over what approximate time span did Ancient Rome’s history last?
a) 500 years.
b) 1,000 years.
c) 1,500 years.
d) 2,000 years.
b) 1,000 years.
What was one significant contribution of Roman engineering?
a) Large-scale urban infrastructure that influenced modern construction.
b) The rejection of Greek architectural styles.
c) The development of temporary wooden structures.
d) A focus on portable military equipment.
a) Large-scale urban infrastructure that influenced modern construction.
During which period did Augustus Caesar become the single ruler of Rome?
a) Roman Republic
b) Late Empire (Dominate)
c) Early Empire (Principate)
d) Middle Ages
c) Early Empire (Principate)
Why was Lucretia a popular subject for Renaissance and Baroque artists?
a) Her story inspired Greek philosophers.
b) Her rape and suicide symbolized virtue and rebellion.
c) She was known for her military conquests.
d) She founded the Roman Republic herself.
b) Her rape and suicide symbolized virtue and rebellion.
What was a notable feature of the Roman Republic?
a) It rejected foreign influences and cultures.
b) It balanced the interests of commoners and aristocrats.
c) It was dominated by a tyrannical monarchy.
d) It remained isolated from Mediterranean trade.
b) It balanced the interests of commoners and aristocrats.
How did the Roman Republic differ from the Classical Greek poleis?
a) Romans were more open to outsiders joining their republic.
b) Romans strictly adhered to monarchy.
c) Romans avoided military expansion.
d) Romans rejected cultural exchanges with Greece.
a) Romans were more open to outsiders joining their republic.
What was the purpose of studying Latin and Greek during the Middle Ages?
a) To develop advanced mathematical theories.
b) To gain access to classical literature, philosophy, history, and the Latin Bible.
c) To promote political reforms within kingdoms.
d) To prepare for military service in the Roman Empire.
b) To gain access to classical literature, philosophy, history, and the Latin Bible.
How did the educated elite in the past share a common culture?
a) By studying classical texts in Latin and Greek.
b) By listening to public radio.
c) By adopting Hellenistic traditions exclusively.
d) By engaging in seafaring activities.
a) By studying classical texts in Latin and Greek.
What does the term “Roman Empire” sometimes mean to historians?
a) The Republic’s initial military conquests in Italy.
b) A multinational state ruled by an emperor.
c) The government of Rome before Augustus’ rule.
d) A city-state focused on trade and agriculture.
b) A multinational state ruled by an emperor.
When is Rome conventionally considered to have transitioned from a Republic to an Empire?
a) 509 BCE
b) 150 BCE
c) 31 BCE
d) AD 476
c) 31 BCE
What phrase did Romans use to describe the Mediterranean during their dominance?
a) Pax Romana
b) Mare Nostrum
c) Via Appia
d) Civitas Romana
b) Mare Nostrum
What role did the creation of a multinational empire play in Rome’s transformation?
a) It hindered Rome’s cultural integration with other societies.
b) It contributed to the transition from a Republic to a monarchy.
c) It limited Roman rule to central Italy.
d) It focused Rome’s efforts on internal development rather than expansion.
b) It contributed to the transition from a Republic to a monarchy.
What marked the beginning of the Roman Empire under an emperor?
a) The defeat of the Persian Empire.
b) The rise of Augustus as the first emperor.
c) The collapse of the Greek poleis.
d) The founding of Rome in 753 BCE.
b) The rise of Augustus as the first emperor.
Before its transformation into an empire, what was Rome originally?
a) A collection of Greek city-states.
b) A city-state in central Italy.
c) A kingdom ruled by Augustus.
d) A Hellenistic monarchy.
b) A city-state in central Italy.
What makes Rome’s early history difficult to study?
a) Roman historians started producing written sources only in the third century BCE.
b) The city’s founding occurred in the first century BCE.
c) Roman historical records were entirely based on mythology.
d) Archaeological evidence contradicts all written accounts.
a) Roman historians started producing written sources only in the third century BCE.
How did early Roman historians like Livy gather information about Rome’s past?
a) By relying solely on archaeological evidence.
b) By using oral traditions, fasti lists, and earlier records.
c) By directly interviewing eyewitnesses of early Roman events.
d) By translating Persian historical accounts.
b) By using oral traditions, fasti lists, and earlier records.
What issue did Livy recognize about the historical records he used?
a) They were destroyed during Rome’s conquests.
b) They were falsified by prominent Roman families.
c) They lacked any mention of the Roman monarchy.
d) They focused exclusively on economic matters.
b) They were falsified by prominent Roman families.
According to Livy, what lesson can be drawn from Horatius Cocles’ tale?
a) Romans valued courage and sacrifice even if the stories were exaggerated.
b) Early Romans avoided warfare whenever possible.
c) Rome’s history was based entirely on verifiable facts.
d) Horatius symbolized the fall of the Roman Republic.
a) Romans valued courage and sacrifice even if the stories were exaggerated.
Why do modern historians remain skeptical of Livy’s accounts?
a) His writings completely lack historical value.
b) He wrote centuries after the events he described.
c) Livy was known for deliberately falsifying records.
d) Archaeological evidence contradicts all his accounts.
b) He wrote centuries after the events he described.
How do Livy’s stories remain valuable despite their inaccuracies?
a) They demonstrate how Romans viewed their history and themselves.
b) They provide accurate military strategies from the Roman Republic.
c) They offer detailed economic data about early Rome.
d) They include firsthand accounts of Rome’s kings.
a) They demonstrate how Romans viewed their history and themselves.
Who was Tarquin the Proud, according to Roman tradition?
a) The first consul of the Roman Republic.
b) A king who refused to consult the Senate.
c) The founder of the city of Rome.
d) The leader of the plebeians during the Republic.
b) A king who refused to consult the Senate.
What event led to the downfall of Tarquin the Proud?
a) The assassination of his nephew, Brutus.
b) Sextus Tarquin’s assault on Lucretia.
c) A military defeat against the Greek city-states.
d) His refusal to implement economic reforms.
b) Sextus Tarquin’s assault on Lucretia.
What action did Lucretia take after her assault?
a) She immediately fled the city.
b) She confessed to a crime to protect her family.
c) She revealed what happened, demanded justice, and then took her own life.
d) She called upon the gods to punish Sextus Tarquin directly.
c) She revealed what happened, demanded justice, and then took her own life.
Who led the revolt against Tarquin the Proud, according to Livy?
a) Horatius Cocles
b) Lucretia’s father
c) Sextus Tarquin
d) Brutus
d) Brutus
What did the story of Lucretia symbolize for later Romans?
a) The need to expand Roman territory.
b) The rejection of monarchy and the values of the Republic.
c) The importance of military conquests over cultural development.
d) The divine origin of Roman kings.
b) The rejection of monarchy and the values of the Republic.
What governmental system replaced the monarchy after the fall of Tarquin the Proud?
a) A dictatorship led by Brutus.
b) A democracy with universal suffrage.
c) A republic with annually elected consuls.
d) An empire ruled by Augustus.
c) A republic with annually elected consuls.
How did Romans of the Republic feel about monarchy?
a) They admired monarchs for their power.
b) They feared and hated monarchy.
c) They sought to restore monarchy throughout the Republic.
d) They considered monarchy the most stable form of government.
b) They feared and hated monarchy.
What does the term pietas mean in the Roman context?
a) Personal ambition and self-interest.
b) Dutifulness to something beyond oneself, such as the community or the gods.
c) Complete obedience to the monarchy.
d) A duty to accumulate wealth and power.
b) Dutifulness to something beyond oneself, such as the community or the gods.
Why did Brutus punish his own sons according to Livy?
a) They committed a crime against the gods.
b) They conspired to restore the monarchy, which he opposed out of duty to the Republic.
c) They refused to participate in military service.
d) They insulted Lucretia’s memory.
b) They conspired to restore the monarchy, which he opposed out of duty to the Republic.
Why did Lucretia kill herself, according to Livy?
a) To seek revenge against Sextus Tarquin.
b) To discourage other women from adultery and protect the ideal of a virtuous Roman woman.
c) To protest the monarchy and support the Republic.
d) To demonstrate that she was guilty of a crime.
b) To discourage other women from adultery and protect the ideal of a virtuous Roman woman.
How were Roman women expected to demonstrate pietas?
a) By participating in politics alongside men.
b) By displaying self-sacrifice and devotion to their families and virtues.
c) By becoming military leaders in times of crisis.
d) By pursuing personal ambitions over domestic duties.
b) By displaying self-sacrifice and devotion to their families and virtues.
What societal expectation was placed on Roman women but not on men?
a) Both men and women were expected to remain univira (one-person partners).
b) Women were expected to be univira, faithful to one man for life, while men were not held to the same standard of chastity or fidelity.
c) Men and women were equally confined to domestic life.
d) Both genders were expected to demonstrate physical strength and rationality.
b) Women were expected to be univira, faithful to one man for life, while men were not held to the same standard of chastity or fidelity.
What does the story of Cincinnatus illustrate about Roman values?
a) The importance of wealth and political ambition.
b) The value of rural simplicity and duty over personal gain.
c) The need for permanent dictatorship in emergencies.
d) The rejection of the idea of pietas.
b) The value of rural simplicity and duty over personal gain.
Why did Cincinnatus resign as dictator after saving Rome from the Sabines?
a) His term as dictator had expired.
b) He valued duty over personal power and showed no desire to prolong his authority.
c) He failed to defeat the Sabines and was removed from power.
d) He was overthrown by his political rivals.
b) He valued duty over personal power and showed no desire to prolong his authority.
What did Romans believe about rural living compared to urban life?
a) Urban life was a source of moral corruption, while rural life embodied real virtue.
b) Rural living was unnecessary for service in the army.
c) Urban life was the foundation of Roman society’s moral standards.
d) Rural simplicity was only valued for the lower classes.
a) Urban life was a source of moral corruption, while rural life embodied real virtue.
Why did Romans expect women to remain primarily in domestic roles?
a) Women were considered physically weaker and less rational than men.
b) Roman law strictly forbade women from leaving their homes.
c) Women were thought to lack the ability to demonstrate pietas.
d) Men needed women to manage agricultural estates.
a) Women were considered physically weaker and less rational than men.
How did the Romans justify the sexual double standard between men and women?
a) Men were expected to protect their children’s legitimacy, while women were not.
b) Men’s infidelity did not affect the legitimacy of their heirs, while women’s chastity ensured inheritance rights.
c) Romans believed men were naturally more virtuous than women.
d) Roman women were expected to engage in politics rather than maintain chastity.
b) Men’s infidelity did not affect the legitimacy of their heirs, while women’s chastity ensured inheritance rights.
What does Livy’s account suggest about women’s capacity for pietas?
a) Women, like men, could exhibit pietas through self-sacrifice and duty.
b) Women were incapable of demonstrating pietas due to their domestic roles.
c) Women only displayed pietas by participating in military service.
d) Women’s pietas was limited to religious worship.
a) Women, like men, could exhibit pietas through self-sacrifice and duty.
What was the primary difference between Greek aretē and Roman pietas?
a) Aretē emphasized individual excellence, while pietas emphasized duty to the community.
b) Aretē focused on moral purity, while pietas focused on physical strength.
c) Aretē valued public service, while pietas valued self-interest.
d) Aretē and pietas were identical concepts with different cultural labels.
a) Aretē emphasized individual excellence, while pietas emphasized duty to the community.
Which of the following best describes Roman expectations of women compared to Greek expectations?
a) Romans believed women were inherently equal to men in public life.
b) Romans had greater expectations that men would value women than in Greek society, particularly Classical Athens.
c) Romans confined women strictly to the home, more so than the Greeks.
d) Romans considered women unfit for education and public involvement.
b) Romans had greater expectations that men would value women than in Greek society, particularly Classical Athens.
What broader societal contrast does the text draw between Greek and Roman cultures?
a) Greeks valued individualism, while Romans prioritized the community.
b) Greeks emphasized public service, while Romans valued personal ambition.
c) Greeks celebrated pietas, while Romans focused on aretē.
d) Greeks avoided military glory, while Romans sought it exclusively.
a) Greeks valued individualism, while Romans prioritized the community.
What does the story of Tiberius Gracchus and the snakes reveal about Roman marital expectations?
a) Roman husbands were expected to prioritize their wives’ well-being, even at great personal cost.
b) Roman husbands viewed their wives as inferior and disposable.
c) Roman society discouraged men from taking advice from soothsayers.
d) Roman men were required to consult the Senate on personal matters.
a) Roman husbands were expected to prioritize their wives’ well-being, even at great personal cost.
What role did Cornelia play in her children’s lives according to the text?
a) She acted as a public politician, directly shaping the Republic.
b) She managed her sons’ education and pushed them toward public service.
c) She insisted that her sons avoid politics and focus on their private lives.
d) She distanced herself from her family to prioritize her own ambitions.
b) She managed her sons’ education and pushed them toward public service.
How did Cornelia’s view of her sons’ political careers change later in life?
a) She regretted encouraging their political ambitions, as it led to chaos and division.
b) She celebrated their success, even as it caused suffering for the Republic.
c) She became indifferent to their public service after they achieved fame.
d) She pressured them to seek military glory instead of political careers.
a) She regretted encouraging their political ambitions, as it led to chaos and division.
What was the greatest honor a Roman general could receive after a military victory?
a) Being named consul for life.
b) Leading a “triumph,” a ceremonial parade through the city.
c) Receiving the aristeia for killing the most enemies.
d) Being declared emperor by the Senate.
b) Leading a “triumph,” a ceremonial parade through the city.
During a Roman “triumph,” what role did a slave play?
a) He carried the general’s weapons and armor.
b) He whispered reminders of the imperator’s mortality to keep him humble.
c) He announced the names of the defeated enemies.
d) He acted as a guard to protect the general from assassination.
b) He whispered reminders of the imperator’s mortality to keep him humble.
In awarding honors to soldiers, what did Roman generals prioritize over individual combat prowess?
a) Skill in defeating the enemy in battle.
b) Saving the life of a fellow Roman citizen.
c) Accumulating wealth and spoils of war.
d) Leading the largest number of troops into battle.
b) Saving the life of a fellow Roman citizen.
How does the text describe the modern West’s cultural inheritance from Greek and Roman values?
a) Modern Western culture is exclusively influenced by Greek ideals of individualism.
b) Western debates often reflect a mix of Greek individualism and Roman communal values.
c) Modern society has completely rejected both Greek and Roman values.
d) The modern West has adopted only Roman values of pietas and communal service.
b) Western debates often reflect a mix of Greek individualism and Roman communal values.
What does the dual honor and humility of Roman imperators reflect about pietas in public affairs?
a) Ambition and service to the Republic could coexist but required humility to avoid arrogance.
b) Military leaders were discouraged from accepting public praise.
c) Personal ambition was viewed as entirely incompatible with public service.
d) Roman generals were expected to retire immediately after achieving victory.
a) Ambition and service to the Republic could coexist but required humility to avoid arrogance.
According to the text, how did Romans view the authority of law compared to the Greeks?
a) Romans placed less emphasis on law than the Greeks did.
b) Romans admired and celebrated the authority of law more emphatically than the Greeks.
c) Romans viewed law as secondary to personal ambition.
d) Romans saw no distinction between law and custom, unlike the Greeks.
b) Romans admired and celebrated the authority of law more emphatically than the Greeks.
What did Livy consider one of the benefits of the Roman Republic?
a) The establishment of a monarchy.
b) Greater obedience to the commands of law than to those of men.
c) Increased social freedoms for Roman youths.
d) The abolition of conservatism in Roman society.
b) Greater obedience to the commands of law than to those of men.
What does the term mos maiorum mean?
a) The power of the paterfamilias.
b) The way of the forbearers or ancestors.
c) The authority of Roman law over individuals.
d) The equality of patricians and plebeians in society.
b) The way of the forbearers or ancestors.
How was Roman society a patriarchy in the “strict” sense of the term?
a) Men dominated all aspects of society, including public and private life.
b) Fathers held legal authority over their households, including wives, children, and slaves.
c) Roman women were not allowed to inherit property or participate in public life.
d) Fathers were required to relinquish power once their children reached adulthood.
b) Fathers held legal authority over their households, including wives, children, and slaves.
What legal power was conferred to the paterfamilias?
a) Limited authority over financial decisions within the household.
b) Absolute power over the household, including life and death.
c) The right to vote on behalf of his household members.
d) Shared authority with the mother of the household.
b) Absolute power over the household, including life and death.
Why was the power of fathers in Roman society often not exercised to its full extent?
a) Roman law prevented fathers from having authority over adult children.
b) Social customs discouraged the enforcement of paternal authority.
c) Low life expectancies meant fewer adult children had living fathers.
d) Mothers typically held greater influence over the household.
c) Low life expectancies meant fewer adult children had living fathers.
What distinguished patricians from plebeians in early Roman society?
a) Patricians were descendants of the founders of Rome, while plebeians were slaves.
b) Patricians were figuratively seen as “fathers” who dominated society, while plebeians were the common people.
c) Plebeians were landowners, while patricians were merchants.
d) Plebeians held political power, while patricians were excluded from governance.
b) Patricians were figuratively seen as “fathers” who dominated society, while plebeians were the common people.
What does the “struggle of the orders” refer to in Roman history?
a) The rivalry between the Senate and the Roman military.
b) The challenge by plebeians to patrician dominance in early Roman society.
c) The fight to abolish the patriarchy within Roman households.
d) The conflict between Roman law and the mos maiorum.
b) The challenge by plebeians to patrician dominance in early Roman society.
By the later Republic, how had the distinction between patricians and plebeians changed?
a) The distinction had grown more pronounced, with plebeians losing their rights.
b) The distinction no longer held significant meaning.
c) Plebeians had completely replaced patricians as the ruling class.
d) The struggle of the orders reignited, leading to political instability.
b) The distinction no longer held significant meaning.
How did Romans justify traditions or practices within their society?
a) By appealing to the mos maiorum, or the customs of their ancestors.
b) By referencing written legal codes that originated in Greece.
c) By seeking approval from the plebeians and patricians.
d) By relying on philosophical arguments about justice and morality.
a) By appealing to the mos maiorum, or the customs of their ancestors.
How did Romans view the relationship between law and custom?
a) Law and custom were viewed as entirely separate entities.
b) Romans did not clearly distinguish between law and custom.
c) Romans prioritized law over custom in all matters.
d) Custom was considered less important than individual rights.
b) Romans did not clearly distinguish between law and custom.
What does the Roman poet Ennius’s quote, “The Roman republic stands on the customs and men of old,” signify about Roman culture?
a) Romans prioritized innovation and progress over tradition.
b) Romans relied on the wisdom of their ancestors to guide their society.
c) Romans rejected the authority of law in favor of personal ambition.
d) Romans believed in the equality of all citizens, regardless of ancestry.
b) Romans relied on the wisdom of their ancestors to guide their society.
What characteristic is most commonly depicted in early Roman sculptures?
A) Youth and athleticism
B) Beauty and sensuality
C) Old age and experience
D) Immortality and divinity
C) Old age and experience
What was the practice of “cum manu” in Roman marriages?
A) Women remained under the authority of their fathers
B) Women were transferred from their father’s authority to their husband’s authority
C) Women married without any legal control over property
D) Women had the ability to appeal to their fathers for divorce
B) Women were transferred from their father’s authority to their husband’s authority
What effect did the “sine manu” marriage arrangement have on Roman women?
A) It gave them complete independence from their fathers
B) It allowed them to control property independently of their husbands
C) It transferred their authority completely to their husbands
D) It limited their ability to marry freely
B) It allowed them to control property independently of their husbands
In the legend of Romulus and Remus, what is the significance of the Sabine women?
A) They were the mothers of Romulus and Remus
B) They helped the Romans defeat their enemies
C) They interceded to stop hostilities and became Romans
D) They were kidnapped by the Romans to become their slaves
C) They interceded to stop hostilities and became Romans
How does the Roman concept of citizenship differ from the Greek concept?
A) Romans emphasized kinship groups, while Greeks had a more abstract notion of citizenship
B) Greek citizenship could be gained by birth, while Roman citizenship was determined by legal practices
C) Romans believed only people with royal blood could become citizens
D) Romans allowed freed slaves to become citizens, whereas Greeks did not
D) Romans allowed freed slaves to become citizens, whereas Greeks did not
What was the effect of the Roman practice of preserving death masks?
A) It ensured that only the wealthiest men were honored
B) It reflected the desire to remember the physical appearance of deceased ancestors
C) It led to an emphasis on youth and beauty in portraits
D) It resulted in the creation of idealized sculptures of gods
B) It reflected the desire to remember the physical appearance of deceased ancestors
According to Livy’s account, how did Romulus establish Rome’s population?
A) By inviting nearby Greek women to marry the Romans
B) Through military conquest of neighboring cities
C) By kidnapping Sabine women and marrying them
D) By recruiting men from across the Mediterranean
C) By kidnapping Sabine women and marrying them
What was one major consequence of Rome’s expansion into a Mediterranean empire?
A) The city of Rome grew significantly in population.
B) Farmers were given equal access to newly acquired lands.
C) Senators lost influence due to foreign kings taking power.
D) Wealth and power became concentrated in Rome.
A) The city of Rome grew significantly in population.
D) Wealth and power became concentrated in Rome.
How did senators benefit from Rome’s imperial expansion?
A) They gained access to wealth by becoming patrons of foreign kings and states.
B) They became less influential in Roman politics.
C) They distributed public land equally to all citizens.
D) They often received public land on favorable terms and acquired wealth.
D) They often received public land on favorable terms and acquired wealth.
A) They gained access to wealth by becoming patrons of foreign kings and states.
What was a “novus homo” in Roman society?
A) A man who successfully campaigned without borrowing money.
B) A senator from an old Roman family.
C) A man who rose to political power without being born into nobility.
D) A wealthy foreigner living in Rome.
C) A man who rose to political power without being born into nobility.
Why did elections in Rome become increasingly expensive?
A) Candidates had to provide favors and transportation for voters.
B) The Senate required fees for all political campaigns.
C) Wealth was equally distributed, inflating the cost of goods.
D) The influx of money into Roman politics drove up campaigning expenses.
D) The influx of money into Roman politics drove up campaigning expenses.
A) Candidates had to provide favors and transportation for voters.
What strategy did senators often use to recoup campaign expenses after winning elections?
A) They extorted wealth from the provinces they governed as proconsuls.
B) They invested in public infrastructure to gain support.
C) They borrowed additional funds from Roman banks.
D) They appealed to foreign kings for financial assistance.
A) They extorted wealth from the provinces they governed as proconsuls.
What factor contributed to the decreasing number of “novi homines” elected to the consulship after 200 BC?
A) The rising costs of elections made it difficult for non-elite candidates to compete.
B) Foreign kings dominated the consulship during this period.
C) Old families began excluding outsiders from political office entirely.
D) The Roman Senate banned election campaigns in rural areas.
A) The rising costs of elections made it difficult for non-elite candidates to compete.
What was one of the worst accusations Cicero made against Gaius Verres?
A) Torturing and executing Roman citizens like slaves.
B) Abolishing debts to gain support.
C) Plotting to overthrow the government.
D) Failing to distribute farmland to small farmers.
A) Torturing and executing Roman citizens like slaves.
What does Cicero’s prosecution of Verres reveal about Roman governors?
A) They faced frequent audits by the Senate.
B) They had unchecked power in distant provinces.
C) They were required to seek approval for tax regulations.
D) They were unable to punish Roman citizens under the law.
B) They had unchecked power in distant provinces.
Why was Verres accused of pilfering works of art?
A) He needed them to repay his political debts.
B) Roman law encouraged governors to collect art.
C) Sicily was full of Greek colonies with valuable art.
D) He planned to use the art to bribe senators.
C) Sicily was full of Greek colonies with valuable art.
What prompted Lucius Sergius Catilina (Catiline) to plot a takeover of the government?
A) His desire to restore the Republic.
B) The abolition of debt laws by Cicero.
C) His failure to win the consulship after repeated attempts.
D) His opposition to Cicero’s leadership.
C) His failure to win the consulship after repeated attempts.
What financial challenge did Roman elections present by the first century BC?
A) They were funded entirely by the Senate, causing disputes.
B) The costs were so high that candidates often went into debt.
C) Voting was restricted to elite citizens in urban areas.
D) Provincial governors were barred from running for office.
B) The costs were so high that candidates often went into debt.
What impact did Rome’s constant wars have on small farmers?
A) They gained large estates from military victories.
B) Many had to sell their land and move to the city.
C) They were freed from military service to manage farms.
D) They became wealthier through government subsidies.
B) Many had to sell their land and move to the city.
What was one indication of the declining number of small farmers in the Roman army by 151 BC?
A) Soldiers began receiving free land in conquered provinces.
B) The property requirement for military service was reduced.
C) Small farmers refused to serve in the army.
D) Rome began recruiting non-citizens for military campaigns.
B) The property requirement for military service was reduced.
What was one result of governors funneling wealth into Italian estates?
A) Small farmers gained access to more land.
B) Landowners acquired more influence in politics.
C) The influx of wealth further widened social inequality.
D) Roman citizenship was expanded to include more provincials.
D) Roman citizenship was expanded to include more provincials.
What were the large estates owned by the wealthy in Rome called?
A) Latifundia
B) Domus
C) Villae
D) Insulae
A) Latifundia
What was one significant result of Rome’s expansion for wealthy landowners?
A) They could vote in the Senate.
B) They bought out smaller farms and created large estates.
C) They were prohibited from owning slaves.
D) They were forced to sell their land to the Republic.
B) They bought out smaller farms and created large estates.
What marked the widening gap between rich and poor in Roman society?
A) Increased access to voting for the poor
B) Unequal distribution of slaves
C) The reduction of taxes for small farmers
D) The decline of Roman citizenship
B) Unequal distribution of slaves
What was a danger associated with the large concentrations of slaves on Roman estates?
A) They often abandoned the estates for the cities.
B) They organized rebellions against their owners.
C) They took control of the Senate.
D) They formed alliances with foreign enemies.
B) They organized rebellions against their owners.
Which of the following was a notable slave rebellion in Roman history?
A) The Revolt of Catiline
B) The Siege of Mount Vesuvius led by Spartacus
C) The Social War uprising
D) The Gallic Wars
B) The Siege of Mount Vesuvius led by Spartacus
What was one common treatment of slaves working on Roman estates?
A) They were given plots of land to farm.
B) They worked in shackles and faced harsh conditions.
C) They could vote in local elections.
D) They were paid wages equal to free laborers.
B) They worked in shackles and faced harsh conditions.
What group in Roman society was dissatisfied due to losing their farms and finding unemployment in cities?
A) Wealthy Italians
B) Landless Roman citizens
C) Provincial governors
D) Nobiles in the Senate
B) Landless Roman citizens
What was one reason Italian allies were dissatisfied with the Roman Republic in the second and first centuries BC?
A) They wanted full Roman citizenship.
B) They were taxed at higher rates than Romans.
C) They could not participate in gladiator games.
D) They were barred from owning land in Italy.
A) They wanted full Roman citizenship.
Why did some nobiles like Catiline become discontent with the Republic?
A) They were forced to sell their estates to the Republic.
B) They struggled to compete with the super-rich.
C) They were denied entry into the Roman Senate.
D) They were prevented from running for public office.
B) They struggled to compete with the super-rich.
What was one political effect of Rome’s expansion on groups dissatisfied with the Republic?
A) These groups had nothing to offer politicians.
B) They sought politicians willing to act as their patrons.
C) They were banned from voting in local elections.
D) They revolted to establish an empire.
B) They sought politicians willing to act as their patrons.
By what year had Rome united Italy through conquest, colonization, and alliances?
A) 146 BCE
B) 272 BCE
C) 30 BCE
D) 509 BCE
B) 272 BCE
What was the primary rival of Rome during its struggle for dominance of the western Mediterranean?
A) Macedonia
B) Carthage
C) Greece
D) Egypt
B) Carthage
Which territories did Rome gain after defeating Carthage by 146 BCE?
A) Greece and Macedonia
B) Sicily, the east coast of Spain, and North Africa
C) Asia Minor and Syria
D) Egypt and the Mediterranean islands
B) Sicily, the east coast of Spain, and North Africa
What geographical feature served as the basis for Rome’s civilization, unlike earlier civilizations based on river valleys?
A) The Mediterranean Sea
B) The Tiber River
C) The Alps
D) The Nile River
A) The Mediterranean Sea
How did Roman expansion beyond Italy affect Roman society?
A) It eliminated social inequality.
B) It brought great wealth and slaves, exacerbating social inequality.
C) It strengthened republican institutions.
D) It reduced the influence of Greek culture.
B) It brought great wealth and slaves, exacerbating social inequality.
Which culture did Roman elites adopt as they expanded into Greek territories?
A) Phoenician
B) Persian
C) Greek
D) Egyptian
C) Greek
What is the term used to describe the shared culture influenced by both Greek and Roman traditions?
A) Greco-Roman culture
B) Classical Mediterranean culture
C) Hellenistic culture
D) Italic-Greek culture
A) Greco-Roman culture
What continued to influence Europeans long after the end of Roman rule?
A) The wealth and slavery of Roman society
B) Greco-Roman culture
C) The republican institutions of Rome
D) The Mediterranean economy
B) Greco-Roman culture
In which year did Rome conquer Egypt, completing its Mediterranean expansion?
A) 272 BCE
B) 146 BCE
C) 30 BCE
D) 63 BCE
C) 30 BCE
What did conservative Romans complain about during the Republic’s expansion?
A) The military costs of expansion
B) The influence of foreigners on Roman culture
C) The loss of republican institutions
D) The rise of Greco-Roman alliances
B) The influence of foreigners on Roman culture
When did Romans begin producing significant quantities of written sources?
A) The first century BCE
B) The third century BCE
C) The fifth century BCE
D) The second century CE
B) The third century BCE
What literary categories influenced Roman writing in the third century BCE?
A) Histories and dramas from Egypt
B) Poetry, history, and philosophy from Greece
C) Epic sagas and mythology from Persia
D) Comedies and biographies from Carthage
B) Poetry, history, and philosophy from Greece
Why did early Roman historians write in Greek rather than Latin?
A) Greek was the official language of the Republic.
B) They wanted to explain and justify Rome to the Greek world.
C) Latin was not yet a written language.
D) Greek was easier to write than Latin.
B) They wanted to explain and justify Rome to the Greek world.
What significant contribution did Livius Andronicus make to Roman literature?
A) He wrote the first Roman epic in Latin.
B) He translated Homer’s Odyssey into Latin.
C) He wrote the first Roman history.
D) He introduced Greek drama to Rome.
B) He translated Homer’s Odyssey into Latin.
What work of political philosophy by Cicero reflects Greek influence?
A) De Re Publica
B) The Verrine Orations
C) The Aeneid
D) Histories of Rome
A) De Re Publica
What term did Romans use to describe leisure used for intellectual pursuits?
A) Pax Romana
B) Gravitas
C) Otium cum dignitate
D) Virtus et labor
C) Otium cum dignitate
How did Roman aristocrats use knowledge of Greek culture?
A) To teach all Roman citizens philosophy
B) As a marker of aristocratic status and cultivated leisure
C) To replace Latin culture with Greek traditions
D) As a tool for political propaganda
B) As a marker of aristocratic status and cultivated leisure
What role did the rise of latifundia and the influx of slaves play in Roman society?
A) They reduced the gap between rich and poor.
B) They allowed the wealthy to afford dignified leisure.
C) They made philosophy accessible to all citizens.
D) They abolished the need for Roman senators.
B) They allowed the wealthy to afford dignified leisure.
How did Cicero’s De Re Publica reflect Plato’s Republic?
A) It rejected Greek ideas entirely.
B) It mimicked Plato’s dialogue format and themes while adding commentary.
C) It was written in Greek to honor Plato’s work.
D) It focused only on Roman politics without reference to philosophy.
B) It mimicked Plato’s dialogue format and themes while adding commentary.
What distinguished leisure in Classical Athens from aristocratic Rome?
A) In Athens, leisure was seen as a waste of time.
B) In Rome, leisure was only for the wealthy, while in Athens, even less affluent citizens could afford it.
C) Roman leisure avoided all forms of philosophical study.
D) Athenians used leisure solely for artistic pursuits.
B) In Rome, leisure was only for the wealthy, while in Athens, even less affluent citizens could afford it.
Why was rhetoric an important element in the education of Roman aristocratic men?
A) It allowed them to debate philosophical ideas in the forum.
B) It helped them address large audiences in the Senate and courts.
C) It was required for priestly positions in Roman religious organizations.
D) It was primarily a form of artistic expression in Roman society.
B) It helped them address large audiences in the Senate and courts.
Who was considered the greatest Latin rhetorician of his day?
A) Julius Caesar
B) Scipio Africanus
C) Cicero
D) Marcus Aurelius
C) Cicero
What happened to Roman religious mythology after contact with the Greeks?
A) Romans completely abandoned their original myths.
B) It became a Romanized version of Greek mythology.
C) The Romans adapted Greek myths but retained their own god names.
D) It focused exclusively on the story of Romulus and Remus.
B) It became a Romanized version of Greek mythology.
What was the primary Roman contribution to the fusion of Greek and Roman religious mythology?
A) Incorporating Roman rituals into Greek myths
B) Changing the names of Greek gods to Roman equivalents
C) Adding new gods to Greek mythology
D) Combining Greek myths with Persian traditions
B) Changing the names of Greek gods to Roman equivalents
What architectural feature of the Parthenon is also seen in the Pantheon?
A) The dome at the top
B) The use of concrete in construction
C) Columns and a triangular pediment
D) Arched windows
C) Columns and a triangular pediment
How did Roman sculpture demonstrate Greek influence?
A) Romans invented new artistic styles unrelated to Greek sculpture.
B) Wealthy Romans imported or commissioned copies of Greek works.
C) Roman sculptures avoided depicting nudity to maintain propriety.
D) Romans focused exclusively on marble sculptures, unlike the Greeks.
B) Wealthy Romans imported or commissioned copies of Greek works.
What feature of Roman public spectacles owed a debt to Greek influence?
A) The introduction of gladiatorial combat
B) The Roman triumph and use of the Greek figure nikē
C) The construction of aqueducts for public use
D) The religious ceremonies in the Pantheon
B) The Roman triumph and use of the Greek figure nikē
How did Roman men’s depictions in sculpture change due to Greek influence?
A) They began to be portrayed in traditional Roman togas.
B) They were depicted as young and, shockingly, nude.
C) They adopted Persian styles in their depictions.
D) They avoided any depictions of themselves in art.
B) They were depicted as young and, shockingly, nude.
What role did Greek theater play in Roman society?
A) It was dismissed as inappropriate for Roman audiences.
B) It was introduced and became a common feature in Roman cities.
C) It was limited to religious festivals and ignored in other contexts.
D) It influenced only the lower classes of Roman society.
B) It was introduced and became a common feature in Roman cities.
What did the Roman poet Horace mean by the phrase “Greece, once conquered, conquered her savage conqueror”?
A) Rome physically conquered Greece but was culturally influenced by it.
B) Greece physically conquered Rome but adopted Roman traditions.
C) Rome remained unaffected by Greek culture despite its conquests.
D) Greece became a Roman province without significant cultural influence.
A) Rome physically conquered Greece but was culturally influenced by it.
What stereotype did Roman sources often attribute to the Greeks?
A) Courageous and hardworking
B) Greedy, ambitious, and luxury-loving
C) Loyal and militaristic
D) Simple and rustic
B) Greedy, ambitious, and luxury-loving
Why did Roman attitudes toward the Greek East include suspicion and hostility?
A) The Greek East was considered overly religious and superstitious.
B) Its urban and luxurious ways clashed with Roman ideals of simplicity.
C) The Greeks refused to adopt Roman traditions and culture.
D) The Greek East was less urbanized and less advanced than Rome.
B) Its urban and luxurious ways clashed with Roman ideals of simplicity.
Why did the Romans fear Greek monarchy during the Hellenistic period?
A) It reminded them of their own history of tyranny under the Tarquins.
B) They believed monarchies were inherently less efficient than republics.
C) The Greeks frequently invaded Roman territories under their kings.
D) Greek monarchies were seen as aligned with Roman enemies.
A) It reminded them of their own history of tyranny under the Tarquins.
How did the Roman politician Gaius Cestius demonstrate the influence of Greek and Near Eastern culture?
A) By translating Greek texts into Latin
B) By building a tomb inspired by the pyramids of Egypt
C) By promoting the study of Greek literature in Roman schools
D) By adopting Hellenistic political structures in his governance
B) By building a tomb inspired by the pyramids of Egypt
What idea about Western civilization emerged from Roman fears of Hellenistic culture?
A) That Western civilization was founded on monarchy and theocracy
B) That the West was fundamentally different from the Greek-influenced East
C) That the Greek East was superior to the Latin-speaking West
D) That Eastern influences were necessary for cultural growth
B) That the West was fundamentally different from the Greek-influenced East
What stereotype about the East originated from the Greek triumph over Persia?
A) The East was hardworking and resilient.
B) The East was slavish, effeminate, and weak.
C) The East was technologically advanced and militaristic.
D) The East was rural and unsophisticated.
B) The East was slavish, effeminate, and weak.
How did Romans justify their views of Hellenistic civilization as synonymous with Greek culture?
A) By emphasizing the Greek adoption of Near Eastern theocratic monarchy
B) By highlighting Greek resistance to Roman culture
C) By rejecting Near Eastern cultural elements entirely
D) By denying the influence of Hellenistic culture on Roman traditions
A) By emphasizing the Greek adoption of Near Eastern theocratic monarchy
What did Romans mean by saying their civilization was part of “the West”?
A) They identified with the Persian Empire’s legacy.
B) They viewed their culture as distinct from the Greek-influenced East.
C) They sought to align themselves with Near Eastern traditions.
D) They saw themselves as part of a global Eastern tradition.
B) They viewed their culture as distinct from the Greek-influenced East.
What advice did Cato the Elder give to his son about Greek written works?
A) To ignore them completely
B) To dip into them but avoid close study
C) To embrace and deeply study them
D) To translate them into Latin for Roman youth
B) To dip into them but avoid close study
What was Cato the Elder’s main concern regarding Greek culture?
A) It would improve Roman traditions.
B) It would corrupt Roman society.
C) It would make Roman youth more philosophical.
D) It would lead to Greek domination of Rome.
B) It would corrupt Roman society.
What did Cato the Elder request the Senate to do when two Greek philosophers arrived in Rome?
A) Honor them with public celebrations
B) Make them Roman citizens
C) Advise magistrates to send them home quickly
D) Allow them to teach Roman youth
C) Advise magistrates to send them home quickly
Why did Cato oppose the teaching of Greek philosophy to Roman youth?
A) He believed Romans should learn from their own laws and magistrates.
B) He thought philosophy was too complex for young minds.
C) He wanted to preserve Greek philosophy for Greeks only.
D) He preferred Roman youth to focus on military training.
A) He believed Romans should learn from their own laws and magistrates.
What was Cato’s contribution to Roman literature?
A) He translated Greek works into Latin.
B) He composed the first Roman history in Latin.
C) He wrote a philosophical treatise opposing Greek culture.
D) He created a guidebook for Roman magistrates.
B) He composed the first Roman history in Latin.
What did Cato reference from the Odyssey to describe Scipio Aemilianus’s future success?
A) The prophecy about the cyclopes
B) A metaphor about wiping out Carthage
C) A prediction that Scipio would defeat Carthage
D) A story of Greek triumph over adversity
C) A prediction that Scipio would defeat Carthage
What does Cato’s quip about returning to the cyclopes’ cave imply about his view of Polybius?
A) He viewed Polybius’s request as dangerous.
B) He thought Polybius was unnecessarily bold.
C) He admired Polybius for his bravery.
D) He believed Polybius was wasting his time.
B) He thought Polybius was unnecessarily bold.
What does the text suggest about Cato’s relationship with Greek culture?
A) He fully rejected it and avoided any influence.
B) He absorbed elements of it while publicly criticizing it.
C) He embraced it wholeheartedly in private and public life.
D) He remained neutral and indifferent toward Greek culture.
B) He absorbed elements of it while publicly criticizing it.
What is the historian’s view of hypocrites like Cato, as mentioned in the text?
A) They are irrelevant to historical analysis.
B) They reveal the contradictions of their age.
C) They harm the understanding of history.
D) They align completely with historical truth.
B) They reveal the contradictions of their age.
Why is Cato considered an example of the ambiguity Romans felt toward Greek culture?
A) He openly embraced Greek culture but refused to admit it.
B) He denounced Greek culture while also using it selectively.
C) He ignored Greek culture but secretly studied it.
D) He worked to ban Greek influences in Roman society entirely.
B) He denounced Greek culture while also using it selectively.
What problem did Roman generals face in recruiting soldiers in the second century BC?
A) Lack of training facilities for recruits
B) Difficulty finding citizen-soldiers who met property qualifications
C) Disinterest in military service among the Roman elite
D) Shortage of weapons and armor for new recruits
B) Difficulty finding citizen-soldiers who met property qualifications
What was Tiberius Gracchus’s primary goal with his land reform proposal in 133 BC?
A) To increase the wealth of senators
B) To restore the Roman army and return landless citizens to virtuous rural life
C) To introduce Greek farming techniques into Rome
D) To end slavery on Roman estates
B) To restore the Roman army and return landless citizens to virtuous rural life
Why did some senators oppose Tiberius Gracchus’s land reform proposal?
A) It involved giving land to slaves.
B) It threatened the wealth and influence of the connected elite.
C) It proposed eliminating the Senate’s authority over land distribution.
D) It required foreign assistance to implement.
B) It threatened the wealth and influence of the connected elite.
What unorthodox action did Tiberius take to pass his land reform bill?
A) He proposed the bill directly to the popular assembly without consulting the Senate.
B) He called for the dissolution of the Senate.
C) He allied with Greek leaders to gain support.
D) He used military force to pressure the Senate.
A) He proposed the bill directly to the popular assembly without consulting the Senate.
Why was Tiberius Gracchus accused of behaving like a monarch?
A) He declared himself ruler of Rome.
B) He removed a fellow tribune from office to override a veto.
C) He sought to abolish elections for public office.
D) He allied with foreign kings to consolidate power.
B) He removed a fellow tribune from office to override a veto.
What did Tiberius propose to do with the bequest from the kingdom of Pergamon?
A) Use it to build temples in Rome
B) Divide it among the senators
C) Finance farms for landless citizens
D) Create a monument in his honor
C) Finance farms for landless citizens
What led to the downfall of Gaius Gracchus’s popularity during his second term as tribune?
A) His failure to pass a law granting citizenship to all free Italians
B) His decision to abolish land reforms
C) His alliance with foreign powers
D) His refusal to run for a third term
A) His failure to pass a law granting citizenship to all free Italians
How did the Senate respond to the actions of Gaius Gracchus and his supporters?
A) They negotiated a peaceful compromise.
B) They passed new laws to limit the powers of the tribune.
C) They authorized the consuls to take military action to protect the Republic.
D) They supported his proposal for expanded citizenship rights.
C) They authorized the consuls to take military action to protect the Republic.
What broader trend did the actions of the Gracchi demonstrate about Roman politics?
A) Politicians used the discontent caused by Roman expansion to gain support for reforms.
B) Political leaders became increasingly reliant on foreign alliances.
C) The Senate remained unified in resisting change.
D) Military leaders were unable to influence political reforms.
A) Politicians used the discontent caused by Roman expansion to gain support for reforms.
What key norms of Roman political life did the Gracchi violate?
A) They allied with foreign kings to gain power.
B) They abolished the Senate’s authority over land distribution.
C) They pursued successive terms in office and bypassed the authority of their colleagues.
D) They dismantled the Roman army to weaken opposition.
C) They pursued successive terms in office and bypassed the authority of their colleagues.
What term did Romans use to describe politicians who bypassed the Senate and appealed directly to the people?
A) Optimates
B) Nobiles
C) Populares
D) Consulares
C) Populares
What did the term optimates refer to in Roman politics?
A) Advocates for widespread land reform
B) Politicians who followed the traditional lead of the Senate
C) Military leaders who defied Roman customs
D) Organized aristocratic political parties
B) Politicians who followed the traditional lead of the Senate
What was the primary goal for most Roman politicians, whether they were populares or optimates?
A) To overthrow the Senate
B) To achieve the consulship and gain reputation and auctoritas
C) To establish a monarchy
D) To create a democratic government
B) To achieve the consulship and gain reputation and auctoritas
What precedent did the failure of the Gracchi brothers set for future Roman politicians?
A) The need to ally with foreign powers
B) The inevitability of political reform
C) The possibility of death as a penalty for political failure
D) The success of aristocratic domination
C) The possibility of death as a penalty for political failure
What major reform did Marius implement during his consulship in 107 BC?
A) He abolished the Senate’s authority over land distribution.
B) He eliminated the property requirement for military service.
C) He created a new class of Roman citizens.
D) He outlawed the use of thugs in politics.
B) He eliminated the property requirement for military service.
Why were Marius’s successive consulships considered controversial?
A) They violated both law and custom, as well as Senate authority.
B) He relied on foreign soldiers to secure his position.
C) He dissolved the Senate to maintain his power.
D) He declared himself the first Roman emperor.
A) They violated both law and custom, as well as Senate authority.
How did Marius’s veterans view him after he enrolled them in his army?
A) As a threat to Roman tradition
B) As their patron, deserving political loyalty
C) As a rival to the Senate’s authority
D) As a temporary leader with limited influence
B) As their patron, deserving political loyalty
What action did Saturninus take to support Marius’s veterans?
A) He sought Senate approval for distributing public lands.
B) He introduced a land distribution bill without consulting the Senate.
C) He implemented reforms to eliminate violence in politics.
D) He organized a rebellion against Marius.
B) He introduced a land distribution bill without consulting the Senate.
What does Marius’s career reveal about the changing nature of Roman politics?
A) Roman generals increasingly relied on their troops as political clients.
B) Violence in politics was largely eliminated by reformers like Marius.
C) The Senate maintained complete control over political reforms.
D) Popular assemblies were abolished in favor of Senate authority.
A) Roman generals increasingly relied on their troops as political clients.
What factor contributed to the increasing violence in Roman politics during this period?
A) The growing influence of foreign leaders in Roman affairs
B) The rise of poor citizens willing to be hired as thugs
C) The Senate’s consistent opposition to reform
D) The abolition of the popular assembly
B) The rise of poor citizens willing to be hired as thugs
What was one of the primary reasons Sulla initially struggled to gain political influence?
A) He lacked military experience.
B) His family was not considered nobilis.
C) His family lacked wealth despite being nobilis.
D) He was opposed by Marius’s veterans.
C) His family lacked wealth despite being nobilis.
How did Sulla respond when Marius used the popular assembly to transfer his military command?
A) He appealed to the Senate to reverse the decision.
B) He led his army into Rome, a move that shocked Roman society.
C) He formed an alliance with Mithridates VI.
D) He retired temporarily to avoid conflict.
B) He led his army into Rome, a move that shocked Roman society.
What precedent did Sulla set by leading his troops into Rome?
A) Generals should avoid politics.
B) Violence and military occupation could be used as political tools.
C) The popular assembly held supreme authority over the Senate.
D) Rome’s laws forbidding generals from entering the city with armies were abolished.
B) Violence and military occupation could be used as political tools.
What was Sulla’s primary method for eliminating his political opponents?
A) Imprisonment without trial
B) Exile to distant provinces
C) Public trials and executions
D) Proscriptions, where enemies were listed as public enemies and killed for rewards
D) Proscriptions, where enemies were listed as public enemies and killed for rewards
Why were some individuals added to Sulla’s lists of proscription?
A) They had openly defied the Senate’s authority.
B) Their estates were valuable and could reward Sulla’s soldiers.
C) They were loyal to King Mithridates VI.
D) They were prominent members of the popular assembly.
B) Their estates were valuable and could reward Sulla’s soldiers.
What significant change did Sulla make during his dictatorship?
A) He abolished the popular assembly.
B) He restored the Senate’s authority to veto laws passed by the popular assembly.
C) He declared himself emperor for life.
D) He eliminated the consulship to consolidate power.
B) He restored the Senate’s authority to veto laws passed by the popular assembly.
What was unusual about Sulla’s term as dictator?
A) It lasted for the traditional six months.
B) It was declared by the Senate rather than the popular assembly.
C) It was indefinite, breaking with Roman tradition.
D) It focused on military campaigns rather than political reforms.
C) It was indefinite, breaking with Roman tradition
What happened to Sulla’s reforms after he resigned as dictator?
A) They strengthened the Senate’s authority permanently.
B) They were repealed due to lack of military support.
C) They were upheld by his successors in honor of his legacy.
D) They sparked further military conflicts in the provinces.
B) They were repealed due to lack of military support.
What lesson did Sulla’s career teach future Roman generals?
A) Political power required Senate approval above all else.
B) Military force could be more effective than traditional political methods.
C) The Roman Republic was invulnerable to military influence.
D) Popular assemblies were key to maintaining long-term reforms.
B) Military force could be more effective than traditional political methods.
What ultimately undermined Sulla’s attempt to restore the Republic to its earlier state?
A) His reliance on auctoritas instead of potestas.
B) The lack of widespread support from the Senate.
C) The inability of his laws to function without military backing.
D) His failure to eliminate the popular assembly.
C) The inability of his laws to function without military backing.
What action did Pompey take after successfully leading an army at the Senate’s request in 77 BC?
A) He disbanded his forces immediately.
B) He asked the Senate to send him to Spain to address a rebellion.
C) He joined forces with Crassus to secure the consulship.
D) He was appointed dictator by the Senate.
B) He asked the Senate to send him to Spain to address a rebellion.
Why did the Senate agree to Pompey’s request to be sent to Spain?
A) The Senate feared his military power.
B) They believed Pompey was the most experienced general for the task.
C) Pompey threatened to appeal directly to the popular assembly.
D) The rebellion in Spain was considered a minor issue.
A) The Senate feared his military power.
What obstacle did Pompey face in running for the consulship in 71 BC?
A) He lacked experience in lower magistracies of the cursus honorum.
B) He was too young to qualify for the position.
C) Crassus opposed his candidacy.
D) He was required to disband his army first.
A) He lacked experience in lower magistracies of the cursus honorum.
What was the primary cause of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey in 49 BC?
A) Disputes over Roman religious practices
B) A failed peace treaty between the Senate and Caesar
C) Pompey’s attempt to invade Gaul
D) Political rivalry and the need for each to maintain dominance
D) Political rivalry and the need for each to maintain dominance
Why did many senators, including Cicero, support Pompey during the civil war?
A) Pompey promised widespread land reforms.
B) Caesar was unpopular among Roman citizens.
C) They believed Pompey’s victory would restore the Senate’s influence.
D) Caesar lacked military experience compared to Pompey.
C) They believed Pompey’s victory would restore the Senate’s influence.
What advantage did Caesar’s troops have over Pompey’s despite being outnumbered?
A) Better funding from the Senate
B) Superior knowledge of the terrain
C) Naval dominance in the Mediterranean
D) Battle-hardened experience from ruthless campaigns in Gaul
D) Battle-hardened experience from ruthless campaigns in Gaul
What event marked the effective end of Pompey’s leadership after his defeat at Pharsalus?
A) His capture and imprisonment by Caesar
B) His alliance with Egypt against Caesar
C) His exile to Gaul
D) His assassination in Egypt by the pharaoh’s orders
D) His assassination in Egypt by the pharaoh’s orders
How did Caesar reward his supporters after consolidating power?
A) By exempting them from military service
B) By building a new Senate chamber
C) By abolishing taxes in the provinces
D) By granting land, citizenship, and political positions
D) By granting land, citizenship, and political positions
Which action demonstrated Caesar’s departure from Sulla’s example after becoming dictator?
A) He declared himself king of Rome.
B) He exiled his opponents rather than killing them.
C) He strengthened the Senate’s authority.
D) He showed clemency to his enemies and declared himself dictator indefinitely.
D) He showed clemency to his enemies and declared himself dictator indefinitely.
What controversial act did Caesar perform in February 44 BC that broke Roman political traditions?
A) He abolished the Senate.
B) He accepted a crown as king of Rome.
C) He declared war on Gaul.
D) He had himself declared dictator for life.
D) He had himself declared dictator for life.
What symbolic event involving Mark Antony occurred during a public festival in 44 BC?
A) Mark Antony declared Caesar the first emperor of Rome.
B) Mark Antony presented Caesar with a diadem, which Caesar refused.
C) Mark Antony led a rebellion against Caesar.
D) Mark Antony crowned himself as ruler of the Republic.
B) Mark Antony presented Caesar with a diadem, which Caesar refused.
Why is it unclear today why Caesar refused the diadem offered by Mark Antony?
A) Records of the event were destroyed by Caesar’s successors.
B) The Senate censored all reports of the event.
C) Caesar was uninterested in political theatrics.
D) Historians are unsure if Caesar staged the event to reject kingship or test public opinion for it.
D) Historians are unsure if Caesar staged the event to reject kingship or test public opinion for it.
Why was Julius Caesar assassinated by senators, including Brutus?
A) They opposed the possibility of a monarchy under Caesar.
B) Caesar failed to provide land for the army.
C) He attempted to abolish the Senate entirely.
D) Caesar’s expansion into Egypt caused widespread unrest.
A) They opposed the possibility of a monarchy under Caesar.
What was the official name for the “Second Triumvirate” recognized by the popular assembly?
A) The Roman Republic Consulate
B) The Council of Roman Magistrates
C) The Three Generals for Caesar’s Revenge
D) “The three men for setting up the Republic with consular power”
D) “The three men for setting up the Republic with consular power”
Which member of the Second Triumvirate faded into obscurity over time?
A) Octavian
B) Mark Antony
C) Lepidus
D) Brutus
C) Lepidus
What practice did the Second Triumvirate revive, which was associated with Sulla’s era?
A) Granting citizenship to all provinces
B) Instituting direct democracy
C) Prohibiting military alliances
D) Conducting mass proscriptions to secure land and money for troops
D) Conducting mass proscriptions to secure land and money for troops
How did Octavian portray Cleopatra in his propaganda against Mark Antony?
A) As a virtuous and loyal queen who supported Antony’s rule
B) As a rightful ruler protecting Egyptian interests
C) As a unifier between Egypt and Rome
D) As a scheming, anti-Roman queen who corrupted Antony and sought control of Rome
D) As a scheming, anti-Roman queen who corrupted Antony and sought control of Rome
What event marked the end of the civil war between Octavian and Antony?
A) The assassination of Octavian
B) The execution of Cleopatra by Roman forces
C) The battle of Philippi in Greece
D) The defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium in 31 BC
D) The defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at the battle of Actium in 31 BC
What decision by Antony was publicized by Octavian to damage Antony’s reputation?
A) Antony’s alliance with Greece
B) Antony’s refusal to return to Rome
C) Antony’s will directing that he be buried in Egypt
D) Antony’s declaration of Octavian as his successor
C) Antony’s will directing that he be buried in Egypt
What became of Egypt after Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra?
A) Egypt retained its nominal independence under a treaty.
B) It was annexed by Octavian as his personal domain.
C) It was handed over to Mark Antony’s remaining forces.
D) Cleopatra’s descendants were allowed to continue as rulers.
B) It was annexed by Octavian as his personal domain.
Who emerged victorious in the Roman civil wars following the assassination of Julius Caesar?
A) Augustus (Octavian) Caesar
B) Mark Antony
C) Marcus Crassus
D) Lepidus
A) Augustus (Octavian) Caesar
What title did Augustus avoid, despite effectively being the first emperor of Rome?
A) Imperator
B) Rex (King)
C) Consul
D) Dictator
B) Rex (King)
By 117 CE, the Roman Empire had reached its natural and ecological limits. Which of the following factors prevented further expansion to the south?
A) Mountain ranges
B) Dense forests
C) Deserts
D) Political treaties
C) Deserts
How did Rome’s eastern expansion face resistance?
A) Nomadic tribes formed alliances
B) Greek city-states opposed Roman dominance
C) Iranian peoples, the Parthians, and later a revived Persian Empire resisted
D) Harsh weather conditions in the region
C) Iranian peoples, the Parthians, and later a revived Persian Empire resisted
What was the estimated population of the Roman Empire at its peak around 117 CE?
A) 10 million
B) 30 million
C) 50 million
D) 100 million
C) 50 million
Why was it difficult for Rome to conquer regions beyond its temperate zone in Europe?
A) Local societies were already highly advanced and fortified
B) The terrain was impassable
C) Local populations were sparse and could regroup and counterattack
D) The lack of valuable resources made conquest unattractive
C) Local populations were sparse and could regroup and counterattack
Which empire was comparable to Rome in size and population around 117 CE?
A) Mauryan Empire
B) Han China
C) Gupta Empire
D) Persian Empire
B) Han China
What title is Octavian conventionally given in Roman history?
A) The first Roman emperor
B) The last Roman dictator
C) The first Roman consul
D) The founder of the Senate
A) The first Roman emperor
What term do modern historians use to describe the form of monarchy Octavian established?
A) Republic
B) Principate
C) Dictatorship
D) Senate
B) Principate
Which of the following was a reason Octavian had to monopolize political power?
A) Economic instability
B) Political rivalry leading to violence and civil war
C) Weak Roman military strength
D) Lack of interest in public office
B) Political rivalry leading to violence and civil war
What did Octavian reward his troops with to ensure their loyalty?
A) Gold and treasures
B) Political positions
C) Land
D) Slaves
C) Land
How did Octavian’s approach to local leaders in Italy and the provinces differ from previous practices?
A) He excluded them from political power
B) He punished them for disloyalty
C) He sponsored and promoted them to rise politically
D) He ignored their political influence
C) He sponsored and promoted them to rise politically
Why did Octavian avoid portraying himself as a destroyer of the Republic?
A) He wanted to distance himself from Caesar’s fate
B) He sought public favor for personal wealth
C) He wanted to avoid conflict with the military
D) He planned to dissolve the Senate immediately
A) He wanted to distance himself from Caesar’s fate
What strategy did Octavian use to present himself as a reluctant leader?
A) He never held political office
B) He claimed to retire from public life, prompting Senate protests
C) He directly declared himself king
D) He dissolved the Roman Senate
B) He claimed to retire from public life, prompting Senate protests
What powers did the Senate grant Octavian after his supposed retirement from public life?
A) Consular power and dictator status
B) Tribunician power and control over select provinces
C) Full control of the military and veto power over the Senate
D) King-like authority with direct control over the Senate
B) Tribunician power and control over select provinces
What titles did the Senate bestow upon Octavian, symbolizing his primacy and status?
A) Rex and Tribune
B) Consul and Dictator
C) Princeps and Augustus
D) Imperator and Consul
C) Princeps and Augustus
What did the title “Augustus” suggest about Octavian’s position in Roman society?
A) It indicated supreme legal authority
B) It had sacred connotations without a legal claim
C) It formally named him as the king of Rome
D) It was primarily a military designation
B) It had sacred connotations without a legal claim
What was the likely purpose of Octavian’s staged retirement in 27 BC?
A) To genuinely retire from politics
B) To establish a democratic government
C) To maintain a republican appearance while holding power
D) To dissolve the Senate
C) To maintain a republican appearance while holding power
Which Roman value did Augustus claim to follow to appeal to conservative sentiment?
A) Proscriptio
B) Mos maiorum
C) Concordia
D) Imperium
B) Mos maiorum
What did the titles augustus and princeps signify about Augustus’s role?
A) He was solely a military general
B) He could rule by compulsion alone
C) He possessed auctoritas and was seen as someone who should be obeyed
D) He formally established a monarchy
C) He possessed auctoritas and was seen as someone who should be obeyed
What was one major factor that contributed to the principate’s long-term stability?
A) Frequent military campaigns
B) Augustus’s longevity and association of an heir
C) Dissolution of the Senate
D) Elimination of all political rivals
B) Augustus’s longevity and association of an heir
Why did Augustus associate Tiberius with his governance of the empire before his death?
A) Tiberius was the most popular senator
B) It was essential to establish an heir to maintain overwhelming patronage
C) Augustus wanted to retire early from public affairs
D) The Senate demanded a co-ruler
B) It was essential to establish an heir to maintain overwhelming patronage
What honorary title did successful Roman generals receive, which later evolved into the modern term “emperor”?
A) Princeps
B) Consul
C) Imperator
D) Augustus
C) Imperator
How did the Senate acknowledge Tiberius upon Augustus’s death?
A) They made him a military commander only
B) They declared him dictator for life
C) They hailed him as both princeps and augustus
D) They abolished his political role
C) They hailed him as both princeps and augustus
What reminder did Tiberius give during a senatorial debate to reinforce his role?
A) “I am the supreme ruler of Rome.”
B) “Pardon me if, as one senator to another, I disagree with your view.”
C) “Rome will always have a monarch.”
D) “The Senate must obey my commands.”
B) “Pardon me if, as one senator to another, I disagree with your view.”
What role did the Senate traditionally hold in Roman politics, as reflected in Augustus’s principate?
A) The sole legislative authority
B) A collective repository of auctoritas
C) A ceremonial body with no real power
D) A military advisory council
B) A collective repository of auctoritas
What change occurred to the title imperator after Augustus’s rule?
A) It was only granted to senators
B) It was used exclusively for military victories
C) It became associated with the sole ruler, leading to the modern term “emperor”
D) It lost all political significance
C) It became associated with the sole ruler, leading to the modern term “emperor”
What event in 69 CE highlighted the importance of patronage in the Roman political system?
A) The assassination of Augustus
B) The Senate dissolving the principate
C) The death of Nero without an heir
D) The “year of the four emperors”
D) The “year of the four emperors”
What mistake did Nero make that contributed to his downfall?
A) He extended citizenship to provincials
B) He reduced taxes for the military
C) He failed to maintain soldiers’ pay and executed generals
D) He adopted a clear successor
C) He failed to maintain soldiers’ pay and executed generals
What was a key development after Vespasian’s rise to power in 69 CE?
A) The Senate abolished the title imperator
B) Emperors no longer relied on military support
C) Emperors formally adopted the title imperator upon taking power
D) The Republic was restored
C) Emperors formally adopted the title imperator upon taking power
Why are the second-century emperors from Nerva to Marcus Aurelius often called the “five good emperors”?
A) They expanded the empire more than any previous rulers
B) They established a permanent republic
C) They avoided military conflicts
D) They ensured succession through adoption and brought stability and prosperity
D) They ensured succession through adoption and brought stability and prosperity
What unintended factor contributed to the stability of the “five good emperors”?
A) Their military defeats
B) Economic hardship
C) Reproductive failures, leading to adoption of competent successors
D) Dissolution of the Senate
C) Reproductive failures, leading to adoption of competent successors
What was one result of Augustus allowing more than two consulships per year?
A) It weakened the emperor’s authority
B) The Senate became more powerful
C) Consulships became less prestigious
D) Popular assemblies regained control
C) Consulships became less prestigious
How did provincial governors’ relationship with the emperor change during the principate?
A) Governors ignored the emperor’s decisions
B) They began consulting the emperor to avoid decisions that could be overturned
C) Governors no longer had any legal power
D) They were given complete autonomy over provincial matters
B) They began consulting the emperor to avoid decisions that could be overturned
What role did the emperor’s “rescripts” play in the legal system?
A) They were disregarded by courts
B) They formed a significant source of Roman law
C) They were only used in military disputes
D) They applied only to the Senate
B) They formed a significant source of Roman law
How did the consilium of the princeps evolve over time?
A) It became an informal gathering with no political influence
B) It was abolished by Augustus
C) It took on the character of a formal cabinet with defined roles
D) It was only composed of military generals
C) It took on the character of a formal cabinet with defined roles
What group increasingly performed government functions in the Roman Empire before the late third century?
A) The emperor’s slaves and freedmen
B) The Senate
C) The consuls
D) The provincial governors
A) The emperor’s slaves and freedmen
What role did women occasionally play in Roman imperial politics?
A) They served as senators
B) They acted as provincial governors
C) They exercised political influence through proximity to the emperor
D) They commanded military legions
C) They exercised political influence through proximity to the emperor
What happened to Nero’s mother, Agrippina, when her influence waned, and she was suspected of conspiracy?
A) She was exiled to a remote province
B) She was appointed to a ceremonial role
C) She regained influence over Nero
D) She was murdered on Nero’s orders
D) She was murdered on Nero’s orders
How did Emperor Claudius express his frustration with the Senate?
A) He ordered it dissolved permanently
B) He reminded them to express their honest opinions instead of merely agreeing
C) He delegated all decision-making to provincial governors
D) He dismissed all current senators
B) He reminded them to express their honest opinions instead of merely agreeing
What did the Senate’s diminishing power during the principate lead it to become?
A) A purely ceremonial institution
B) A council exclusively for legal cases
C) A body of educated gentlemen administrators
D) The empire’s military command
C) A body of educated gentlemen administrators
What was euergetism, an activity that senators turned to as public office lost its former prestige?
A) Organizing political campaigns
B) Paying for public works that benefited the community
C) Leading military expeditions
D) Sponsoring religious festivals
B) Paying for public works that benefited the community
What is the Pantheon an example of in the context of euergetism?
A) A temple built by the Senate to honor the gods
B) A public work funded by Marcus Agrippa during his consulship
C) An imperial building project entirely funded by Augustus
D) A school built for classical education
B) A public work funded by Marcus Agrippa during his consulship
What was one way the principate reduced corruption in the provinces?
A) The emperor lowered the costs of elections for magistracies and governorships
B) Governors were granted more independence from imperial oversight
C) The emperor established a centralized bureaucracy
D) All elections were abolished
A) The emperor lowered the costs of elections for magistracies and governorships
What danger did the declining position of the Senate pose?
A) The rise of foreign invasions
B) A rebellion by freedmen
C) The potential for the legions to decide who would become emperor
D) The collapse of public infrastructure
C) The potential for the legions to decide who would become emperor
Why did Emperor Trajan encourage senators to buy land in Italy?
A) To increase agricultural production in the region
B) To strengthen their loyalty to the emperor
C) To prevent foreign influence in the Senate
D) To ensure a higher tax base in Italy
B) To strengthen their loyalty to the emperor
What major legal reform occurred under Emperor Caracalla in 212?
A) The establishment of a Senate exclusively for provincials
B) The abolition of taxation for Roman citizens
C) The introduction of a new code of laws
D) Roman citizenship was granted to all free people of the empire
D) Roman citizenship was granted to all free people of the empire
What was the difference between honestiores and humiliores in the Roman Empire?
A) Honestiores were exempt from taxes, while humiliores were not
B) Honestiores lived in cities, while humiliores lived in the countryside
C) Honestiores were immune to harsh punishments like torture, unlike humiliores
D) Honestiores were of Italian descent, while humiliores were provincials
C) Honestiores were immune to harsh punishments like torture, unlike humiliores
How did cities contribute to the spread of Graeco-Roman culture in the provinces?
A) By establishing exclusive citizenship rights
B) By providing cultural institutions like theaters and schools
C) By requiring all residents to learn Latin
D) By prohibiting rural cultural traditions
B) By providing cultural institutions like theaters and schools
What language did Jesus and many people in Judaea speak during the Roman Empire?
A) Greek
B) Latin
C) Hebrew
D) Aramaic
D) Aramaic
Who were the curiales or “decurions” in Roman provincial cities?
A) Imperial governors appointed by the Senate
B) Rural farmers responsible for managing town affairs
C) Local notables who managed town government and collected taxes
D) Military officers responsible for town defense
C) Local notables who managed town government and collected taxes
Why did the Roman Empire operate with a relatively slender bureaucracy?
A) Governors handled all administrative tasks independently
B) The emperor relied on wealthy local notables to manage town governance and tax collection
C) A complex taxation system made a larger bureaucracy unnecessary
D) Communication between provinces and Rome was infrequent
B) The emperor relied on wealthy local notables to manage town governance and tax collection
What was Aelius Aristides’ view on Roman citizenship?
A) It was magnificent and unique in human history
B) It was unnecessary for the provincial elite
C) It undermined traditional Greek citizenship models
D) It was only beneficial for those living in Italy
A) It was magnificent and unique in human history
What term did Aelius Aristides use to describe the harmony among peoples under Roman rule?
A) Pax Augusta
B) Universal Citizenship
C) Roman Dominion
D) Pax Romana
D) Pax Romana
Why did Tacitus criticize Roman influence in Britain?
A) He believed it promoted chaos rather than order
B) He thought Roman laws were ineffective
C) He claimed it introduced vices disguised as civilization
D) He feared it made Britons militarily stronger
C) He claimed it introduced vices disguised as civilization
What metaphor did a doomed British leader, as described by Tacitus, use to criticize Roman conquest?
A) “They build roads and call it glory.”
B) “They make a desert and call it peace.”
C) “They offer wine and steal our freedom.”
D) “They plunder gold and leave ruin.”
B) “They make a desert and call it peace.”
What major threat did Roman legions face on the eastern frontier toward the end of the second century?
A) The Germanic tribes
B) The Gauls
C) Parthia, a revival of the Persian kingdom
D) The Huns
C) Parthia, a revival of the Persian kingdom
Which Roman historian looked back nostalgically to the days before Augustus?
A) Livy
B) Tacitus
C) Aelius Aristides
D) Cicero
B) Tacitus
How did Tacitus view the Roman governor’s attempt to “civilize” the Britons?
A) As a necessary step for stability
B) As a genuine cultural exchange
C) As a guise for enslavement
D) As a positive transformation for the empire
C) As a guise for enslavement
According to Livy, what was a sign of Rome’s greatness?
A) Its military conquests
B) Its vast wealth
C) The favor of the gods
D) Its extensive trade network
C) The favor of the gods
