Roman Republic

Question 1

When did the Roman Republic exist?

Answer 1

509 BC - 27 BC

Roman Republic

Question 2

When was Julius Caesar assassinated?

Answer 2

44 BC

Julius Caesar assassinated

Question 3

When did the Roman Empire (at least in the West) begin and end?

Answer 3

27 BC - 476 AD

Birth & Fall of the Roman Empire (at least in the West)

Question 4

What was the period of Roman Peace known as?

Answer 4

27 BC - 180 AD

Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

Question 5

When was Jerusalem destroyed by Titus?

Answer 5

70 AD

Jerusalem destroyed by Titus

Question 6

What was Gaul in ancient times?

Answer 6

Ancient region of Europe (present-day France)

Gaul - ancient region of Europe (present-day France)

Question 7

What did the term ‘Proletariat’ mean in Roman usage?

Answer 7

Described the lowest class who paid no taxes and served the state only by producing children (‘proles’)

Proletariat (Roman usage)

Question 8

How did Roman Political Life transition chronologically?

Answer 8

From a republic, to a dictator, to an empire

Roman Political Life - Transitioned (Chronologically) from: a republic, to a dictator, to an empire

Question 9

Where was Rome located geographically?

Answer 9

Central location, on the Tiber River, hills for protection

Rome - central location, on the Tiber River, hills for protection

Question 10

Who ruled the family unit in the early Roman world?

Answer 10

Father (paterfamilias)

Father ruled the family unit (paterfamilias)

Question 11

What was the role of the Patricians in Roman society?

Answer 11

Wealthy, controlled the Senate

Patricians - c. 10% of population, wealthy, controlled the Senate

Question 12

What did the Plebeians represent in Roman society?

Answer 12

The people

Plebeians - c. 90% of the people

Question 13

What was the Senate in Roman political life?

Answer 13

Council of nobles

Senate - Council of nobles

Question 14

What was the Tribal Assembly’s role in Roman political life?

Answer 14

Representing plebeian concerns (plebeian rise)

The Tribal Assembly, representing plebeian concerns (plebeian rise)

Question 15

What did Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV attempt to do?

Answer 15

Destroy Judaism

Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV attempted to destroy Judaism

Question 16

What was celebrated by the feast of Dedication?

Answer 16

Restoration of Temple worship - Known as Hanukkah

Temple worship was restored - celebrated by the feast of Dedication - Known as Hanukkah

Question 17

How was the Government divided?

Answer 17

Patricians (10%)

Plebeians (90%)

Senate

Tribal Assembly

Question 18

Who had a magnificent navy in the Punic Wars?

Answer 18

Carthage had a magnificent navy

Example sentence: Carthage’s navy was a formidable force in the ancient Mediterranean.

Question 19

2nd Punic War

What general was very successful?

What happens to that general?

Answer 19

Carthaginian General Hannibal was very successful

Rome’s Scipio beats Hannibal

Example sentence: Hannibal’s tactics during the 2nd Punic War were legendary.

Question 20

Roman Republic - strife

Answer 20

Cooperation deteriorated & internal dissension tore Rome apart

Example sentence: The Roman Republic faced internal strife that weakened its governance.

Question 21

Roman Republic - Large plantations

Answer 21

Large plantations (aka latifundia)

Example sentence: Latifundia were large agricultural estates in ancient Rome.

Question 22

Roman Republic - Gracchi brothers

Answer 22

The Gracchi brothers attempted reform, but faced an uncompromising Senate

Example sentence: The Gracchi brothers’ reforms were met with resistance from the Roman Senate.

Question 23

Roman Republic - Spartacus

Answer 23

Spartacus - a gladiator in Rome who led a slave revolt

Example sentence: Spartacus’ slave revolt challenged the authority of Rome.

Question 24

Roman Civil Wars - Military changes

Answer 24

Gaius Marius restructured the army

Example sentence: Gaius Marius introduced significant military reforms during the Roman Civil Wars.

Question 25

1st Roman Civil War - rivals & victory

Answer 25

Rivals Cornelius Sulla & Gaius Marius vied for military command, ended in a complete victory for Sulla ## Footnote Example sentence: Sulla emerged victorious in the 15th Roman Civil War.

Question 26

Julius Caesar - Gaul conquest, how long did it take? what happened after?

Answer 26

Caesar gained control of legions in Gaul - after conquering Gaul (10 year effort) & invading Britain, he had fortune & loyal military followers ## Footnote Example sentence: Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul solidified his military power.

Question 27

Julius Caesar - what river did he cross? What does “crossing the …” mean?

Answer 27

Caesar crossed the Rubicon river phrase 'crossing the Rubicon' = an irrevocable decision ## Footnote Example sentence: Crossing the Rubicon marked a point of no return for Julius Caesar.

Question 28

Julius Caesar - Impact

Answer 28

- responsible for the death /enslavement of over 1 million people - met Cleopatra & took her back to Rome (had an illegitimate son) - changed the calendar ## Footnote Example sentence: Julius Caesar's actions had far-reaching consequences for the Roman Empire.

Question 29

Second Triumvirate - who was it made up from?

Answer 29

Mark Antony (Caesar’s lieutenant) Octavian (Caesar’s grand-nephew) Lepidus ## Footnote Example sentence: The Second Triumvirate was a political alliance that aimed to stabilize Rome after Caesar's assassination.

Question 30

Second Triumvirate - Battle of Actium

Answer 30

Antony & Octavian settled their dispute in a naval battle near Actium ## Footnote Example sentence: The Battle of Actium marked the end of the Second Triumvirate's internal conflict.

Question 31

Who attempted reform but faced an uncompromising Senate?

Answer 31

The Gracchi brothers

Question 32

Who led a slave revolt?

Answer 32

The gladiator Spartacus

Question 33

What happened after Caesar’s death?

Answer 33

The 2nd Triumvirate (Antony, Octavian & Lepidus) Antony & Octavian settled their dispute in a naval battle near Actium

Question 34

Emperor Claudius is associated with which Roman occupation?

Answer 34

Roman occupation of Britain ## Footnote Example sentence: Emperor Claudius led the Roman conquest of Britain.

Question 35

Who functioned as "first citizen" in the Roman Empire? maintained near-total control of the army? had legislation against adultery?

Answer 35

Octavian (aka: Augustus Caesar) ## Footnote Example sentence: Octavian, also known as Augustus Caesar, held the title of "first citizen" in the Roman Empire.

Question 36

What was the phrase used to describe the Roman peace?

Answer 36

"Pax Romana" ## Footnote Example sentence: The "Pax Romana" was a period of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire.

Question 37

Who split the Roman Empire into the Tetrarchy?

Answer 37

Emperor Diocletian ## Footnote Example sentence: Emperor Diocletian implemented the Tetrarchy system of sharing power among four rulers in the Roman Empire.

Question 38

What victory did Constantine achieve?

Answer 38

Victory at the Milvian Bridge ## Footnote Example sentence: Constantine secured a significant victory at the Milvian Bridge, leading to his rise to power.

Question 39

Who was declared as king of the Jews by Octavian and Antony?

Answer 39

Herod the Great ## Footnote Example sentence: Octavian and Antony declared Herod the Great as the king of the Jews.

Question 40

Which Roman Emperor moved the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium?

Answer 40

Constantine ## Footnote Example sentence: Constantine relocated the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople.

Question 41

What was Rome's contributions to western civilization?

Answer 41

Military science Romance languages Architecture & engineering Environment for Christianity’s birth & expansion ## Footnote Example sentence: Rome's legacy includes advancements in military science that influenced western civilization.

Question 42

What is cited as one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire?

Answer 42

Technological innovation stagnated ## Footnote Example sentence: The stagnation of technological innovation is considered one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.

Question 43

What does the phrase “bread & circuses” mean?

Answer 43

Free food & entertainment

Question 44

What is a tetrarchy?

Answer 44

A sharing power of four rulers

Question 45

Edict of Milan

Answer 45

Gave religious freedom

Question 46

Where did Constantine move the capital of the Roman Empire?

Answer 46

Byzantium

Question 47

Constantine remained Pontifex Maximus, what is that?

Answer 47

Head of the pagan state religious cult

Question 48

Who laid waste to Jerusalem? What happened?

Answer 48

Titus did The temple was destroyed

Question 49

Where did the Roman Empire fall?

Answer 49

Only in the west, the eastern half lived on

Question 50

What explains Rome’s decline?

Answer 50

There isn’t a single explanation, there were multiple forces that operated concurrently (multiple causation)

Question 51

Who did the barbarian tribes war against?

Answer 51

Sometimes against themselves, sometimes Rome

Question 52

Who were the Germanic Heruli people?

Answer 52

Former Roman Mercenaries

Question 53

Name the “barbarian” groups. How many are there?

Answer 53

There are 5 - visigoths - vandals - Huns ( Attila was ready to attack Rome but Pope Leo I “persuaded” him to turn away) - franks (went on to dominate Europe)