Unit 04 Test

Question 1

Punic Wars

Answer 1

A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage. Rome was victorious and emerged as the dominant force in the Mediterranean.

Question 2

Martial Law

Answer 2

When citizen’s rights are suspended and the military is given special powers to police a country or society.

Question 3

Optimates

Answer 3

Political faction that believed the purpose of government was to serve the richest and most accomplished people in society. Led by Sulla.

Question 4

Populares

Answer 4

Political faction that believed government should focus on serving the majority of people. Led by Marius.

Question 5

Julius Caesar

Answer 5

A Roman patrician who earned fame as a general and politician. Eventually took power in Rome and declared himself Dictator for life.

Question 6

Republic

Answer 6

A representative democracy

Question 7

Dictatorship

Answer 7

A form of government where one person has all the power and maintains that power by force.

Question 8

Augustus Caesar

Answer 8

Julius Caesar’s adopted son and successor. The first true Emperor of Rome who helped start the period known as Pax Romana.

Question 9

Pax Romana

Answer 9

A 207 year period where Rome is at its largest, wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential.

Question 10

Christianity

Answer 10

A monotheistic religion based around the teachings of Jesus Christ

Question 11

The Gracchi Brothers (Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus)

Answer 11

Two brothers that rose to power in Rome but were killed by Patricians for trying to pass laws that helped Plebeians.

Question 12

The Civil War of Marius and Sulla

Answer 12

A Roman civil war where Sulla emerged as the victor. After which, he named himself temporary dictator of Rome. Marked the beginning of the end for representative democracy in Rome.

Question 13

Factors that contributed to the decline of Rome’s Republic

Answer 13

1. Increasing inequality - Despite Rome’s successes, the rich continued to get richer and the poor, poorer.
2. Ineffective government - Rome’s government failed to address the issues that were leading to Plebeian life getting worse.
3. Loss of faith in government - Romans saw the Republic as unable to solve their problems and began turning to others, such as military generals, for help.
4. Increase in political violence - More and more, Romans began using violence as a way of influencing government actions and decisions.

Question 14

Political Impacts of the Pax Romana

Answer 14

• Creation of a centralized system of government
• Establishment of a professional army
• Expansion of cities throughout the empire that acted as centers for local governance and administration
• Conquest of new area that saw Rome in control of 2 million square miles of territory.

Question 15

Economic Impacts of the Pax Romana

Answer 15

• Access to large amounts of resources and food which encouraged trade and commerce.
• Construction of roads and ports throughout the empire which allowed trade and travel to thrive.
• Creation of a common currency that was used across all of Roman territory.

Question 16

Social Impacts of the Pax Romana

Answer 16

• Spread of Roman citizenship to people outside of Rome and Italy
• Creation of a culturally diverse empire
• Increased luxuries for wealthy elite

Question 17

Cultural Impacts of the Pax Romana

Answer 17

• Creation of major architectural works like the Colosseum and the Pantheon
• Spread of Roman culture, such as language, throughout the Empire.
• Creation of major works of art and literature

Question 18

Edict of Milan

Answer 18

Issued by the Emperor Constantine, this law made Christianity and Judaism legal throughout the Roman Empire.