Certamen History Intermediate

Question 1

Who served as dictator of Rome from 82-79 BC?

Answer 1

Sulla

Question 2

Sulla withdrew from public life in 79 BC. What year did he die?

Answer 2

78 BC

Question 3

Where did Sulla earn a military victory over the Samnites, thus bringing a nearly ten-year conflict to its conclusion?

Answer 3

Colline Gate

Question 4

Who was found cowering behind a curtain in the imperial palace when the praetorian guard came to hail him as emperor in 41 AD?

Answer 4

Claudius

Question 5

Which of Claudius’ wives bore his children Britannicus and Octavia?

Answer 5

Messalina

Question 6

Which of Claudius’ wives allegedly poisoned him with a dish of mushrooms?

Answer 6

Agrippina the Younger

Question 7

Which king of Rome, an Etruscan immigrant, drained the Forum Romanum?

Answer 7

Tarquinius Priscus

Question 8

What wife of Tarquinius Priscus interpreted an omen that her husband would be king?

Answer 8

Tanaquil

Question 9

Tanaquil prophesized that Servius Tullius would become king after witnessing what event?

Answer 9

Flames around his head

Question 10

In what war did all of the following battles occur: Panormus, Lilybaeum, Drepana, Mylae?

Answer 10

First Punic War

Question 11

What Roman commanded the fleet at Mylae?

Answer 11

Duilius

Question 12

What honor did the Romans bestow upon Duilius for this victory?

Answer 12

Wooden Column in the Forum

Question 13

What emperor adopted Marcus Ulpius Traianus as his successor, in part to satisfy the concerns of the Roman army?

Answer 13

Nerva

Question 14

In what year did Nerva die?

Answer 14

98 AD

Question 15

What pledge did Nerva make to the Senate when chosen as emperor?

Answer 15

to never put a senator to death

Question 16

What law of 287 BC provided that Plebiscita apply to Patricians as well?

Answer 16

Lex Hortensia

Question 17

How many times did the Plebeians secede from the city?

Answer 17

Five

Question 18

In what year did the Plebeians secede the first time?

Answer 18

494 BC