Ancient Roman History

Question 1

What are some Positives of Rome’s Geographical Setting?

Answer 1

• close proximity to Tiber River meant that Romans could grow crops because of the good soil
• Mountains meant that they could have shelter from Army that could attack them
• Closeness to the Mediterainian Sea ment that they could easily trade with others

Question 2

Negatives of Rome’s Geographical setting?

Answer 2

• River meant that the Romans were prone to floods during the rainy seasons
• Even though mountains protected the Romans, it made trading with other civilizations hard because of the terrain

Question 3

Foundation of Rome/ Roman Kings period?

Answer 3

753 BCE

Question 4

Foundation of the Roman Republic?

Answer 4

509 BCE

Question 5

Foundation of the Roman Empire?

Answer 5

27 BCE

Question 6

Length of Rome in its entirety?

Answer 6

753 BCE - 476 AD

Question 7

What did it mean to be a Republic in Rome?

Answer 7

To be a republic it meant that only 2 people could rule Rome. This made sure that no one could become too powerful

Question 8

What were the people who ruled Rome during the Republic called?

Answer 8

Consuls (a dictator who in emergency holds the power of Rome for 6 months e.g. Julius Caesar)

Question 9

What were the 2 groups ruling Rome called?

Answer 9

Magistrates - dealt with things like tax and construction in the city
Senate - They interpreted the law and were people who had previously held public office

Question 10

Social Structure (Origin based)?

Answer 10

Patricians - Backgrounds traced back to rich, wealthy and powerful
Plebians - Remainder of the population.

Question 11

Social Structure (Wealth based)?

Answer 11

Senatorial class - Included most of the Patricians. Land-based wealth & forbidden to engage in commerce
Equities - Equestrians/ middle class who made wealth via tax collecting or trade; taking a share of the money for themselves
Proletariat - Plebians/ common class had no land & had to rely on selling labour to make money

Question 12

What happened a lot of the time between 509 BCE - 27 BCE?

Answer 12

During the Republic, the Roman Army was often at war. (UNDERSTATEMENT)

Question 13

‘cursus honorum’ means what?

Answer 13

The ladder of high office. patrician males bought up to believe that it was their duty to climb it

Question 14

Fall of Rome caused by…..?

Answer 14

Rome’s control weakened and collapsed which led to the collapse of trade, prosperity, law & order. In the end, the Empire of Rome became too much to handle due to the vastness of it so there was an ‘imperial overstretch’

Question 15

What was the ‘Pax Romana’?

Answer 15

The 200 years of Peace the Romans. It came about with the rule of the early emperors and started with Augustus (Octavian) in 268 BC. Romans started to change their views adapting ideas from Greece, Egypt and Asia Minor (knowns as Turkey today)