Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian Flashcards

1
Q

Which period ended when Domitian died?

A

End of Flavian period

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2
Q

How did Nerva replace Domitian?

A

Palace conspirators killed Domitian and replaced him with Nerva

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3
Q

What is the new period in history called when Nerva started to rule?

A

Antonine period

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4
Q

How did Nerva improve his popularity with the Senate?

A
  • Forgave those accused of treason under Domitian.
  • Consulted the Senate regularly.
  • Refused gold and silver statues of himself.
  • Offered food for poor children
  • Ended unfair Jewish taxes.
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5
Q

What controversial actions did Nerva take early in his reign?

A

Executed informers but later stopped due to chaos.

too lenient

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6
Q

What were the key plots against Nerva?

A

Calpurnius Crassus: Tried bribing the Praetorian Guard but failed to assassinate Nerva; exiled and later executed by Hadrian.

Casperius Aelianus: Praetorian Prefect who captured Nerva, demanding punishment of Domitian’s assassins.

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7
Q

What weaknesses did Nerva face during his reign?

A

Lacked military support; struggled to control the Praetorian Guard.

Forced to endorse punishment of Domitian’s murderers.

Seen as a compromised leader, easily pushed by others.

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8
Q

Who was the next heir after Nerva?

A

Nerva adopted Trajan to be his heir

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9
Q

How did Nerva die?

A

Died of a fever in Gardens of Salis

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10
Q

What did Nerva rename the Domitian’s palace to?

A
  • House of the people
  • to return the golden house to the people
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11
Q

What political position did Trajan hold under Domitian?

A

He served as consul

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12
Q

Why didn’t Trajan go to Rome immediately after becoming emperor?

A

He toured the empire to secure loyalty, especially from the army.

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13
Q

How did Trajan enter Rome after becoming emperor?

A

On foot, greeting senators as equals.

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14
Q

What notable quote illustrates Trajan’s humility and dedication?

A

“Take this sword, in order that, if I rule well, you may use it for me, but if ill, against me.”

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15
Q

How did Trajan maintain good relations with the Senate?

A

He treated them with dignity and attended social events without a guard.

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16
Q

What were Trajan’s major military campaigns?

A

Dacian Wars

Parthian Campaign

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17
Q

What title was Trajan given for his character and accomplishments?

A

Optimus Princeps (“Best Ruler”).

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18
Q

What major construction projects did Trajan undertake?

A

Public works (bridges, roads)

improved Roman Infrastructure

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19
Q

What health issues led to Trajan’s death?

A

suffered stroke and failing health

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20
Q

Who secured the empire for Hadrian after Trajan’s death?

A

His wife Plotina and his friend Attianus, a Praetorian Prefect.

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21
Q

What did Trajan build in his forum to commemorate his work?

A

An enormous column, serving as a monument to himself and his work, made possible by leveling a hill for the forum.

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22
Q

What parts made up Trajan’s Forum and Markets?

A

Libraries, offices, marketplaces, open spaces, public business areas, and a temple for the divine region.

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23
Q

What war funded Trajan’s Forum and Markets?

A

The Dacian Wars, which expanded Roman territory into modern Romania.

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24
Q

What was the primary purpose of Trajan’s Market?

A

It included market stalls, administrative rooms, and spaces for public business.

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25
Q

What did Trajan’s Column commemorate?

A

it commemorates his victories in the Dacian Wars

26
Q

What inscription is at the base of Trajan’s Column?

A

A dedication to Trajan by the Senate and people of Rome, highlighting the excavation work for the forum.

27
Q

What is depicted on the helical frieze of Trajan’s Column?

A

A narrative of the Dacian Wars, including sacrifices, Roman soldiers in action, and scenes of conquest.

28
Q

Why is the helical frieze significant in design?

A

It spirals from the bottom to the top, requiring viewers to walk around it to follow the story.

29
Q

What major infrastructure improvement did Trajan make in Ostia?

A

He constructed a hexagonal port to enhance Rome’s grain supply and commercial activity.

30
Q

What were the Baths of Trajan, and why were they significant?

A

The largest imperial baths of their time, built on the Esquiline Hill, featuring spaces for entertainment, libraries, and lecture halls.

31
Q

What does the Arch of Trajan at Beneventum symbolize?

A

Trajan’s compassion, humanitarian efforts, and achievements in foreign and domestic policy.

32
Q

How did Trajan’s projects emphasize his role as a humanitarian?

A
  • By providing grain for children
  • building public works
  • improving trade infrastructure.
33
Q

What was Hadrian mocked as a child for?

A

His “uncultivated accent”

34
Q

Who did Hadrian marry?

A

Trajan’s niece (Plotina)

35
Q

What was much of Hadrians due to?

A

His wife Plotina

36
Q

Why was Trajan praised during his reign?

A

He expanded Rome to its largest size.

37
Q

Why was the Roman Empire unstable despite Trajan’s success?

A

Trajan’s conquests left the empire overstretched and vulnerable.

38
Q

What controversial decision did Hadrian make early in his reign?

A

He gave up the lands Trajan conquered beyond the Euphrates River.

39
Q

What policies did Hadrian enact to gain loyalty?

A

He provided double donatives to soldiers, relieved government debts, and remitted crown taxes.

40
Q

How did Hadrian demonstrate humility in construction?

A

He only put his name on the Temple of Trajan and aqueducts outside of Rome.

41
Q

How did Hadrian address military discipline?

A

He simplified the soldiers’ diets, removed luxuries, and encouraged exercise.

42
Q

How did Hadrian consolidate the empire’s borders?

A

He built Hadrian’s Wall in Britain and fortified the German frontier with earthworks.

43
Q

What criticism did Hadrian face for spending little time in Rome?

A

He traveled extensively, which some viewed as neglect of the capital.

44
Q

Name some structures Hadrian built in Athens.

A

The Arch of Hadrian

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Hadrian’s Library

The Panhellenion.

45
Q

What did the Arch of Hadrian symbolize?

A

The division between ancient Athens (“City of Theseus”) and Hadrian’s Athens (“City of Hadrian”).

46
Q

What is the most iconic structure Hadrian rebuilt in Rome?

A

The Pantheon, which has the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.

47
Q

Why did Hadrian build libraries in the Athens?

A

sign of great respect in greek learning and culture

48
Q

What did the Temple of Venus and Roma represent?

A

Hadrian’s architectural innovation and his personal design contributions.

49
Q

Why was the Mausoleum of Hadrian built?

A

To replace the full Mausoleum of Augustus as the burial place for emperors.

50
Q

What was the purpose of Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli?

A

Served as his suburban residence

51
Q

What does the Maritime Theatre symbolize?

A

Hadrian’s desire for privacy while remaining near imperial administration.

52
Q

Why did Hadrian need to plan for succession?

A

Childless, suffered a stroke

53
Q

Who was Hadrian’s first choice for successor?

A

Ceionius Commodus, the elder

54
Q

What happened to Ceionius Commodus, Hadrian’s first successor?

A

He went north as a governor, became sick, and died

55
Q

What did Hadrian say after Ceionius Commodus’ death?

A

“We have leaned against a falling wall and we have lost 300 million sesterces that we gave to the people and the soldiers to mark the adoption of Commodus.

56
Q

Who was Hadrian’s second choice for successor?

A

Arrius Antoninus (Antoninus Pius).

57
Q

What condition did Hadrian set for Antoninus Pius’ adoption?

A

Antoninus Pius had to adopt Marcus Annius Verus (Marcus Aurelius) and Lucius Ceionius Commodus, the younger as his heirs.

58
Q

Why was Antoninus Pius a significant choice?

A

He was selected despite being reluctant to engage in public affairs.

His adoption ensured a merit-based dynasty that served the empire well for two generations.

59
Q

How did Hadrian ensure stability for the future of the empire?

A

By consciously selecting three successors

60
Q

Who was with Hadrian at the time of his death?

A

Antoninus Pius.

61
Q

How did Antoninus Pius ensure Hadrian’s legacy?

A

Carried Hadrian’s remains to Rome with reverence.

Placed them in the Gardens of Domitia.

Instituted honors such as a quinquennial contest and a temple for Hadrian.

62
Q

How was Hadrian perceived by his contemporaries?

A

He was unpopular with the Senate at the time of his death.

His legacy was largely secured through Antoninus Pius’ efforts.