Roman History Flashcards
Which Roman emperor received the nickname “Graeculus”?
Hadrian
Fun Fact: Graeculus which his friends gave to the Roman emperor Hadrian. It means “Little Greek”, reflecting the fact that Hadrian had a long fascination with Greece and the Greeks.
On what day of history was the Roman emperor Hadrian said to have been born?
January 24th, 76 AD
Fun Fact: Publius Aelius Hadrianus was born on January 24th, 76 AD, in Rome, or perhaps in Spain: we don’t know this for sure. On the death of his father he was adopted by Trajan at an early age and was coached into the role of emperor. He served with Trajan in various campaigns including the Dacian wars and held various positions in his entourage. His official adoption as successor was announced after Trajan’s death in 117 AD, though Hadrian’s promotion to emperor was made difficult as he was disliked by some leading senators: in the process four ex-consuls were killed, accused of plotting against him. Hadrian had interests in performing arts and architecture, and his villa at Tivoli was his refuge. He spent much of his time visiting far off outposxts of the empire and strengthening its boundaries. His wall in northern England is famous but he also constructed a similar frontier system in Germany. Other visits took him to Spain, Greece, North Africa, Turkey and Egypt. Exhausted by travels, he returned to Rome where he appointed Aurelius Antoninus as his successor in early 138 AD. He died in the same year and was buried in his mausoleum, later renamed Castel Sant’ Angelo.
Give the full name for the father of the Roman emperor Hadrian.
Publius Aelius Hadrianus Afer
Fun Fact: Aelius Hadrianus Afer was a Roman senator, who owned land in Spain, in the area of Italica, near modern day Seville. He was the cousin of Trajan and the father of the future Emperor Hadrian, though he died while the boy was still young.
In what area of Spain did Afer, the father of the Roman emperor Hadrian, supposedly own land?
Italica
Fun Fact: Italica was a wealthy and important town, near modern day Seville in Spain. It was where the future Emperor Hadrian grew up.
Who was the mother of the Roman emperor Hadrian?
Paulina
Fun Fact: Hadrian’s mother was called Paulina, who came from the coastal town of Cadiz, called Gades in Roman times.
Who was the sister of the Roman emperor Hadrian?
Domitia Paulina
Fun Fact: Domitia Paulina was Hadrian’s sister, who was about one year older than him. She was the daughter of Paulina and became the wife of Servianus.
Give the full name for the cousin of Hadrian who became emperor of Rome in 98 AD.
Marcus Ulpius Trajanus
Fun Fact: Marcus Ulpius Traianus was born in around 53 AD in Spain. In his early career he served in Syria, Spain and Germany. He was adopted by the Emperor Nerva in 97 AD and succeeded him on his death a year later. Trajan was an extremely successful Emperor who brought together the senate and the people behind many of the works he undertook. His wars in Dacia, north of the Danube, led to ceasefire in 102 AD and more significant success in 105 AD. The leader of the Dacians, Decebalus, was driven to commit suicide and this was up-held as one of Trajan’s finest achievements. Trajan’s column depicts the two Dacian campaigns and served as the emperor’s mausoleum. Trajan undertook campaigns against the Parthians in Mesopotamia in 115 and 116 AD, though little long term benefit arose from these. Before he could return to Rome, however, he died in 117 AD in Cilicia. His reputation stood high with the people as he had strengthened Rome’s borders while ruling firmly and well. He was the guardian of Hadrian and was married to Plotina. He was also the cousin of Afer, Hadrian’s father.
What is family name of the Roman emperor Trajan?
Ulpius
Fun Fact: The Ulpius family was the family of the emperor Trajan.
Who was the wife of the Roman emperor Trajan?
Plotina
Fun Fact: Plotina was the wife of the emperor Trajan. Her great love for Hadrian probably helped him become emperor more than anything else.
Italica was a town near which modern day city?
Seville, Spain
What is the meaning of the nickname “Graeculus”?
“Little Greek”
Fun Fact: Graeculus which his friends gave to the Roman emperor Hadrian. It means “Little Greek”, reflecting the fact that Hadrian had a long fascination with Greece and the Greeks.
Why was the Roman emperor Hadrian receive the nickname “Graeculus”?
Hadrian had a lifelong fascination with Greece and the Greeks
Give the full birth name for the Roman emperor Hadrian.
Publius Aelius Hadrian(us)
After the death of his father, Hadrian was adopted by which future Roman emperor?
Trajan
When was the announcement of Hadrian’s official adoption as successor to the imperial throne?
After the death of Trajan in 117 AD
Fun Fact: Hadrian’s promotion to emperor was made difficult as he was disliked by some leading senators: in the process four ex-consuls were killed, accused of plotting against him.
Where did Hadrian famously have a villa which served as his refuge?
Tivoli
Fun Fact: Hadrian had interests in performing arts and architecture. This villa was used to house a lot of his artistic interests.
Where would you find “Hadrian’s Wall”?
northern England
Fun Fact: He constructed a similar frontier system in Germany.
Who was the Roman emperor Hadrian’s ultimate successor, and in what year did Hadrian appoint them?
Aurelius Antoninus (Pius); 138 AD
In what year did the Roman emperor Hadrian die?
138 AD
What is the modern name for Hadrian’s Mausoleum?
Castel Sant’ Angelo
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Augustus.
27 BC - 14 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Tiberius.
14 AD - 37 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Caligula.
37 AD - 41 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Claudius.
41 AD - 54 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Nero.
54 AD - 68 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Galba.
68 AD - 69 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Otho.
69 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Vitellius.
69 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Vespasian.
69 AD - 79 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Titus.
79 AD - 81 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Domitian.
81 AD - 96 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Nerva.
96 AD - 98 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Trajan.
98 AD - 117 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Hadrian.
117 AD - 138 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Antoninus Pius.
138 AD - 161 AD
Give the years for the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius.
161 AD - 180 AD
Whose rule ended in 79 AD?
Vespasian
Whose rule began in 14 AD?
Tiberius
Whose rule began in 81 AD?
Domitian
Whose rule began in 79 AD?
Titus
Who ruled from 14 AD - 37 AD?
Tiberius
Whose rule began in 41 AD?
Claudius
Who ruled from 98 AD - 117 AD?
Trajan
Who ruled from 41 AD - 54 AD?
Claudius
Who ruled from 27 BC - 14 AD?
Augustus
Whose rule ended in 117 AD?
Trajan
Whose rule ended in 138 AD?
Hadrian
Whose rule began in 117 AD?
Hadrian
Who ruled from 81 AD - 96 AD?
Domitian
Whose rule began in 37 AD?
Caligula
Whose rule ended in 180 AD?
Marcus Aurelius
Who ruled from 54 AD - 68 AD?
Nero
Who ruled from 117 AD - 138 AD?
Hadrian
Whose rule ended in 54 AD?
Claudius
Who ruled from 37 AD - 41 AD?
Caligula
Whose rule ended in 68 AD?
Nero
Whose rule began in 161 AD?
Marcus Aurelius
Who ruled from 79 AD - 81 AD?
Titus
Whose rule ended in 37 AD?
Tiberius
Whose rule began in 68 AD?
Galba
Who ruled from 68 AD - 69 AD?
Galba
Whose rule began in 54 AD?
Nero
Whose rule ended in 14 AD?
Augustus
Who ruled from 161 AD - 180 AD?
Marcus Aurelius
Whose rule began in 138 AD?
Antoninus Pius
Whose rule ended in 41 AD?
Caligula
Whose rule ended in 161 AD?
Antoninus Pius
Whose rule began in 98 AD?
Trajan
Whose rule began in 27 BC?
Augustus
Who ruled from 138 AD - 161 AD?
Antoninus Pius
Whose rule ended in 98 AD?
Nerva
Whose rule ended in 96 AD?
Domitian
Who ruled from 96 AD - 98 AD?
Nerva
Whose rule ended in 81 AD?
Titus
Who ruled from 69 AD - 79 AD?
Vespasian
Whose rule began in 96 AD?
Nerva
Which dynasty consisted of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero?
Julio-Claudian Dynasty
Which group consisted of Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian?
Year of Four Emperors
Which dynasty consisted of Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian?
Flavian Dynasty
Which group consisted of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius?
Five Good Emperors
Which group consisted of Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus, Septimius Severus?
Year of Five Emperors
Which dynasty consisted of Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Geta, Macrinus, Elagabalus, and Severus Alexander?
Severan Dynasty
Which group ruled from 96 AD - 180 AD?
Five Good Emperors
Give the years of the Severan Dynasty.
193 AD - 235 AD
Name the members, in order, of the Five Good Emperors.
Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius
Name the members, in order, of the Flavian Dynasty.
Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian
Which group ruled in 69 AD?
Year of Four Emperors
Give the years of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.
27 BC - 68 AD
Give the years of the Flavian Dynasty.
69 AD - 96 AD
Which members of the Year of Five Emperors did not actually count as emperors?
Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus
Name the members, in order, of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty.
Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero
Name the members, in order, of the Year of Five Emperors.
Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus, Septimius Severus
Which dynasty ruled from 27 BC - 68 AD?
Julio-Claudian Dynasty
Which dynasty ruled from 69 AD - 96 AD?
Flavian Dynasty
Give the Year of Four Emperors.
69 AD
Give the years of the Five Good Emperors.
96 AD - 180 AD
Which dynasty ruled from 193 AD - 235 AD?
Severan Dynasty
Which emperor, though not typically included in the Five Good Emperors, co-ruled with Marcus Aurelius?
Lucius Verus
Name the members, in order, of the Year of Four Emperors.
Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian
Give the Year of Five Emperors.
193 AD
Name the members, in order, of the Severan Dynasty.
Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Geta, Macrinus, Elagabalus, and Severus Alexander
Which group ruled in 193 AD?
Year of Five Emperors
Who did the Romans fight against in the Punic Wars?
Carthage
How many Punic Wars were there?
Three
Give the years for the First Punic War.
264 BC - 241 BC
Give the years for the Third Punic War.
149 BC - 146 BC
Which war was fought from 264 BC - 241 BC?
First Punic War
Which war was fought from 149 BC - 146 BC?
Third Punic War
Which war was fought from 218 BC - 201 BC?
Second Punic War
Give the years for the Second Punic War.
218 BC - 201 BC
How many Roman Kings were there?
Seven
Name the Seven Roman Kings in order.
Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, and Tarquinius Superbus
Who was the fifth king of Rome?
Tarquinius Priscus
Who was the fourth king of Rome?
Ancus Marcius
Who was the third king of Rome?
Tullus Hostilius
Who was the first king of Rome?
Romulus
Who was the sixth king of Rome?
Servius Tullius
Who was the second king of Rome?
Numa Pompilius
Who was the seventh king of Rome?
Tarquinius Superbus
How many forms of government were there throughout Rome’s history?
Three
Name Rome’s three forms of government, in order.
Monarchy, Republic, and Empire
Give the years of the Roman Monarchy.
753 BC - 510 BC
Give the years of the Roman Republic.
509 BC - 27 BC
Give the years of the Rome Empire.
27 BC - 476 AD
Give the traditional date for the founding of Rome
April 21, 753 BC
Who were the parents of Romulus?
Mars and Rhea Silvia
Who was the father of Rhea Silvia?
Numitor
Who was the twin brother of Romulus?
Remus
Which couple raised Romulus and Remus?
Faustulus the shepherd and Acca Laurentia
Who was the maternal grandfather of Romulus and Remus?
Numitor
Where was Numitor king?
Alba Longa
What man usurped the Alban throne from his brother Numitor?
Amulius
Who returned to Alba Longa to reclaim the throne for Amulius?
Romulus and Remus
Where did Romulus build his city?
The Palatine Hill
Where did Remus build his city?
The Aventine Hill
Who was Romulus’ wife?
Hersilia
With whom did Romulus co-rule?
Titus Tatius
From where was Titus Tatius originally?
Sabinia
What was Romulus called after his death?
Quirinus
Which king traditionally brought the first significant amount of religion to Rome?
Numa Pompilius
Which king traditionally introduced the calendar?
Numa Pompilius
Who was the consort of Numa Pompilius?
Egeria
What unique characteristic did Egeria possess?
She was supposedly a nymph
Which town did Tullus Hostilius traditionally destroy?
Alba Longa
Who was king of Alba Longa whilst Tullius Hostilius was king?
Mettius Fufetius
Which two sets of triplets fought to settle the dispute between Rome and Alba Longa?
Horatii (Roman) vs. Curiatii (Alban)
Which set of triplets won in the battle between Rome and Alba Longa?
Horatii
What building did Tullus Hostilius traditionally build?
Curia (senate house)
What bridge, the first bridge across the Tiber, was Ancus Marcius said to have built?
Pons Sublicius
What is the meaning of the name “Priscus”?
the Elder
Who was the wife of Tarquinius Priscus?
Tanaquil
What plot of land was Tarquinius Priscus said to have altered?
He drained the Forum
What large project did Tarquinius Priscus traditionally said to have begun?
Circus Maximus
Which king was supposedly born a slave?
Servius Tullius
Which king traditionally built the first wall around Rome?
Servius Tullius (the Servian Wall)
Who killed Servius Tullius?
His daughter Tullia and her later husband Tarquinius Superbus
What does “Superbus” mean?
The Proud
What great sewer did Tarquinius Superbus construct?
Cloaca Maxima
Who were the first two Roman consuls, thus initiating the Roman Republic?
Lucius Junius Brutus and Collatinus
Who was the wife of Collatinus?
Lucretia
Describe the Tragedy of Lucretia.
She was raped by Tarquinius Superbus’ son; she told her husband Collatinus, and then she killed herself
Which two men lead the charge to remove Tarquinius Superbus and his family from power, thus ending the Roman Monarchy?
Lucius Junius Brutus and Collatinus
After being chased off the throne, from which people did Tarquinius Superbus seek help?
Etruscans
Who was king of the Etruscans when Tarquinius Superbus had been deposed?
Lars Porsenna
What was the capital city of Etruria during the reign of Lars Porsenna?
Clusium
What man fought the Etruscans single-handedly on the Pons Sublicius?
Horatius Cocles
On which bridge did Horatius single-handedly fight an Etruscan army?
Pons Sublicius (Sublician Bridge)
What is the meaning of the name “Cocles”?
One-Eyed
What man tried to kill Porsenna, was captured, and to prove his bravery, thrust his right arm into a fire?
Gaius Mucius Scaevola
In reaction to Scaevola’s brave deed, what did Porsenna do?
Porsenna released Scaevola for his bravery.
What is the meaning of the name “Scaevola”?
Lefty
Who, among the Roman girls held captive by Lars Porsenna, swam the Tiber to get back to Rome?
Cloelia
What man defeats the Volscian city of Corioli, is exiled from Rome, then attacks Rome, only to be stopped by the pleas of his mother Veturia and wife Volumnia?
Coriolanus
What town does Coriolanus historically defeat?
Volscian town of Corioli
Which two women prevent Coriolanus’ march on Rome?
His mother Veturia and his wife Volumnia
What man was dictator in 458 BC?
Cincinnatus
For how long was Cincinnatus dictator?
Sixteen Days
What tribe was Cincinnatus asked to fight?
Aequi
What battle took place in 458 BC, and who were fighting?
Battle of Mount Algidus; Cincinnatus vs. the Aequi; Cincinnatus won
In what year was the Battle of Mount Algidus?
458 BC
What laws were the first codified in Rome?
Twelve Tables
Which years consisted of the writing of the Twelve Tables?
451- 450 BC
What group of men created the Laws of the Twelve Tables?
Decemviri
Who led the decemviri?
Appius Claudius
In which year were the Twelve Tables formally “enacted”?
449 BC
What man defeated the Veii, was later exiled, then finally, when he helped rid Rome of the Gauls, was called pater patriae?
Camillus
What town near Rome did Camillus defeat?
Veii
What battle occurred in 390 BC?
Allia River
Who fought at the Battle of Allia River, and what was the result?
Gaul vs. Rome; Gaul won and sacked Rome
Who was the chief of the Gauls at the Battle of Allia River?
Brennus
What famous phrase did Brennus say to the Romans when they were complaining about how much they had to give the Gauls?
“Vae Victis” - “Woe to the conquered.”
Caudine Forks (321 BC) and Lautulae (315 BC) were the two most notable Roman defeats in which war?
2nd Samnite War
Name two of the most notable Roman defeats during the 2nd Samnite War, and give their dates.
Caudine Forks (321 BC) and Lautulae (315 BC)
Who was censor in 312 BC?
Appius Claudius Caecus
What two structures did Appius Claudius Caecus famously construct?
Via Appia (Appian Way) and Aqua Appia, the first major Roman Aqueduct
In what year was Appius Claudius Caecus censor, as well as beginning construction on the Via Appia and the Aqua Appia?
312 BC
What battle occurred in 295 BC?
Battle of Sentinum
Who was the general at the Battle of Sentinum?
Decius Mus
What heroic act did Decius Mus undertake at the Battle of Sentinum?
in an act of devotion, known as “devotio”, charged between his cavalry and the Gauls to his death.
In what year did the Battle of Sentinum take place?
295 BC
What Greek king fought the Romans between 280 BC and 275 BC?
Pyrrhus
Where was Pyrrhus king?
Epirus in Greece
What was the war between Rome and Pyrrhus known as?
Pyrrhic War
With what animal was Pyrrhus the first enemy to fight Rome?
War elephants
What battle took place in 280 BC?
Heraclea
What battle took place in 279 BC?
Asculum
What battle took place in 275 BC?
Beneventum
What major battle of the Pyrrhic War was considered a “Pyrrhic victory”?
Asculum
Describe the origin of the phrase “Pyrrhic victory”.
It is a victory that is won but at too heavy a cost. Pyrrhus won the battle of Asculum, but since it cost so many lives to win, he was unable to win the war.
Give the year for the Battle of Beneventum.
275 BC
Give the year for the Battle of Heraclea.
280 BC
Give the year for the Battle of Asculum.
279 BC
What man was considered “unbribable” when, as a Roman ambassador, he declined Pyrrhus’ bribe?
Fabricius
Over what area was the First Punic War originally fought?
Messana in Sicily
What aspect to Rome’s military was constructed directly due to the First Punic War?
Their navy
What naval invention gave Rome an upper hand during the First Punic War?
Corvus - gangplank with grappling hook on its end
What was Rome’s first naval victory?
Mylae
In which year did the Battle of Mylae take place?
260 BC
What battle ends the First Punic War?
Aegates Islands
