Unit 4 Review

Question 1

Who were the three major groups in early Italy?

Answer 1

The Latins, the Greeks, and the Etruscans

Question 2

What were the impacts of the Greeks and Etruscans on Rome?

Answer 2

Greeks introduced olive and grape farming, gave their alphabet, and passed on art/architecture.

Etruscans turned Rome into a city, gave Rome the model for their army (basically, the Romans copied the Etruscan army style), Rome used the Etruscan Toga as clothing (style).

Question 3

What happened to the people in the Italian states conquered by early Rome?

Answer 3

They were not enslaved. The people became either citizens or subjects, but were free to govern their own affairs.

Question 4

What happened to the conquered states?

Answer 4

They became provinces or allies of Rome, with a few obligations but some benefits as well. They had to provide troops for Rome, but loyal allies could earn full citizenship.

Question 5

What were the two major social classes of the Roman Republic?

Answer 5

Patricians (wealthy landowners who had all the political power)

Plebeians (commoners such as soldiers, poorer landowners, farmers, craftspeople, merchants etc. with little to no political power)

Question 6

What could be the problem with a wealth-based political structure?

Answer 6

The rich always have control/power.

Question 7

What was the early purpose of the Roman Senate, how did they get there and how long did they serve?

Answer 7

To advise governing officials
They were appointed for life.

Question 8

What principles of the Law of Nations do we still use today?

Answer 8

-Innocent until proven guilty
-People accused of wrongdoing were allowed to defend themselves before a judge.
-A judge was expected to carefully weigh evidence before arriving at a decisions.

Question 9

How did Carthage become such a powerhouse in the Mediterranean?

Answer 9

Founded by the Phoenicians and made a ton of money on trade.

Question 10

Why did Rome face early troubles against Carthage?

Answer 10

Rome was a land-based power and Carthage had a formidable navy.

Question 11

What sparked each Punic War?

Answer 11

First Punic War: Rome was threatened by Carthage’s control of Sicily, so both empires sent armies there to fight for it.

Second Punic War: Rome encouraged one of Carthage’s Spanish allies to revolt, and Hannibal lashed out against Rome in response.

Third Punic War: Many prominent Romans called for the complete destruction of Carthage, and it was destroyed in 146 BC.

Question 12

How did General Marius change how the Roman army was used? What was the effect it had and would have on Rome’s future?

Answer 12

Instead of swearing their loyalty to Rome, they swore loyalty to him directly. Other generals followed suit, and it started civil wars for the control of Rome.

Question 13

What were Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar famous for creating?

Answer 13

The first triumvirate

Question 14

When Caesar seized full power, what two reforms did he make, and how did that work out for him?

Answer 14

Gave land to the poor people of Rome.
Increased the Senate from 300 members to 900, in order to dilute his opposition.
Many Senators thought he wasn’t planning on giving up his power, so they assassinated him.

Question 15

What was the source of Augustus’ power and why was it effective?

Answer 15

His control of the standing Roman Army.
He had about 151,000 soldiers at the ready at all times, and another 9,000 dedicated to protecting him personally.

Question 16

What did Augustus do to ensure the success and stability of the Roman Empire?

Answer 16

He created a system which allowed him to select and train his successor
This took away any possibility of civil war, as long as an emperor had someone ready to take over when he died.

Question 17

Discuss qualities, policies and programs that made the Pax Romana such a peaceful and prosperous time for Rome

Answer 17

Ruling classes were respected.
Arbitrary executions stopped.
emperors were tolerant and they clearly named their successors.
State funds were used to assist poor parents in raising/educating their children.
Aqueducts, bridges, roads, and harbours were built in Rome and its provinces.

Question 18

As the Empire progressed, how did the rights of children and women evolve?

Answer 18

Fathers couldn’t sell their kids into slavery.
Fathers couldn’t put their kids to death either.
Women were no longer required to have legal guardians.
Women gained the right to own, inherit, and sell property.
Wives were not segregated from males in the home.
Women could attend public events, but were segregated.
Wives influenced politics through their husbands, but couldn’t directly participate

Question 19

How important were slaves in Roman society? What roles did they play?

Answer 19

Incredibly important. Almost every Roman owned slaves, and slaves were strongly relied on to hold up Rome’s economy!
Roles included farmers, tutors, musicians, doctors, artists, shop assistants, craftsmen, construction, waiters, cooks, cleaners, etc.

Question 20

What were living conditions like for Roman slaves? What was the general attitude of Rome toward their slaves? What was the result of this treatment?

Answer 20

Living conditions were generally disgusting and brutal.
Attitude could be summed up with one quote: “it was cheaper to work a slave to death and replace them than it was to treat them well.”
This treatment often ended with murders and revolts.

Question 21

Who was Spartacus and what did he do?

Answer 21

A gladiator slave who lead a revolt of 70,000 slaves against Rome, defeating multiple armies before he was killed.
6,000 of his followers were executed.

Question 22

Describe the living conditions of Rome

Answer 22

Dirty, overcrowded, dangerous and noisy.
Many living in poverty.
Fires were a constant hazard thanks to wood buildings and open flames for light and heat.

Question 23

What did Romans do for entertainment?

Answer 23

Gladiator games, chariot races, plays/dramatic performances.

Question 24

Describe the beliefs and purpose of the Roman religion

Answer 24

Polytheistic (believed in multiple gods)
Guaranteed peace and prosperity if they practiced proper rituals, and the success of the Empire was proof of this.

Question 25

What was life like for those of other religions in Rome

Answer 25

Romans were generally tolerant.
People were allowed to worship their own gods, as long as they didn’t contradict Roman morals and values.

Question 26

Why were Christians persecuted (harassed) by Romans, despite Rome’s general religious tolerance?

Answer 26

Christians only worshipped one God, and refused to worship or pay homage to Roman gods.
Ideals of Christianity were seen as “revolutionary”, and harmful to Rome’s morals.

Question 27

What three main reasons Christianity was attractive to so many people?

Answer 27

1) Christianity was personal.
2) Christianity was familiar, but easier to enter.
3) Christianity fulfilled the need to belong.

Question 28

What three problems faced Rome near the end of their Empire?

Answer 28

Civil wars, thanks to no successors to the emperor.
Invasions from Persians and Germanic tribes.
Plague, which lead to labour and soldier shortages as well as economic strain.

Question 29

Discuss what four theories you think most accurately explain the fall of the Roman Empire

Answer 29

1) Christianity’s emphasis on a spiritual kingdom weakened Roman military virtues.
2) Traditional Roman values declined as non-Italians gained prominence in the empire.
3) Lead poisoning through water pipes and cups caused a mental decline in the population.
4) Plague wiped out one-tenth of the population.
5) Rome failed to advance technologically due to slavery.
6) Rome could not create a workable political system.