Roman Empire Test Questions Flashcards
Summarize the origin myth for the Romans. What does this myth tell you about the Roman people?
Aeneas is a Trojan warrior who survived the Trojan War and went on to found a great city. On this journey, he marries a Carthaginian woman and lived there for a time before he founded his city in Italy. Aeneas founded a dynasty that eventually produced twin boys: Romulus and Remus, who were also sons of Mars, the god of war. Romulus and Remus were abandoned by their family and raised by a female wolf until they went on to found their own city. The two brothers had a dispute, and Romulus ended up killing Remus. Romulus became the sole king of the city, which was named Rome after him
What were the Punic Wars? What was the result?
The Punic Wars were three wars over a hundred year period between the Romans and Phoenician-Carthaginians. After the last war, Carthage was destroyed and Rome was free to expand.
Summarize the rise of Julius Caesar.
Gaius Julius Caesar was born into a wealthy family and rose through the ranks of Roman society when he became a senator and a strong military commander. He was elected Consul, and there, he formed the First Triumvirate. Caesar used his position as Consul to control the government and conquer Gail.
Describe Roman religion before and after the rise of Christianity.
Before Christianity, Roman religion was polytheistic and heavily influenced by Greek religion. They worshiped multiple gods, but also believed that they originated from Mars, the god of war. After Christianity, the Romans began to follow a monotheistic faith. There was no longer a belief that the Romans came from Mars, and there was also a different understanding of the afterlife.
Describe the collapse of the Roman Empire. Identify at least two of the causes discussed in class.
After the death of Emperor Theodosius, his two sons divided the empire into two, causing the eastern empire to cut off the west. They stopped sharing resources and supporting them with their military. The biggest factor in the decline of the Roman Empire is the displacement of people groups in Eastern and Central Europe. When the Huns, a Mongolian steppe culture, migrated into Europe from Asia, they terrorized both western and eastern empires, making Romans move to their borders. In the end, the Western Roman Empire was completely conquered.
