Chapter 15: Ancient Rome

Question 1

The Roman Republic was founded in the year ______ BCE.

Answer 1

509

Question 2

The Roman Republic replaced a government ruled by ______.

Answer 2

kings

Question 3

Rome’s written code of laws was called the ______ Tables.

Answer 3

Twelve

Question 4

The two main social classes in Rome were the patricians and the ______.

Answer 4

plebeians

Question 5

Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of ______.

Answer 5

March

Question 6

The Punic Wars were fought between Rome and the city-state of ______.

Answer 6

Carthage

Question 7

The Roman general who defeated Hannibal was named ______ Africanus.

Answer 7

Scipio

Question 8

The crossing of the ______ River by Caesar marked the start of civil war.

Answer 8

Rubicon

Question 9

The first Roman emperor was ______.

Answer 9

Augustus

Question 10

The period of peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire was called the Pax ______.

Answer 10

Romana

Question 11

The Roman Colosseum was used mainly for ______ contests.

Answer 11

gladiator

Question 12

The Roman Empire fell in the West in the year ______ CE.

Answer 12

476

Question 13

Christianity became the official religion of Rome under Emperor ______.

Answer 13

Theodosius

Question 14

Emperor Constantine moved the capital of Rome to ______.

Answer 14

Constantinople

Question 15

The Roman road network stretched over ______ miles.

Answer 15

50000

Question 16

The Roman legal principle ‘innocent until proven guilty’ came from Roman ______.

Answer 16

law

Question 17

The Battle of Actium was fought between Octavian and ______.

Answer 17

Mark Antony

Question 18

Rome’s first code of written laws was known as the ______ Tables.

Answer 18

Twelve

Question 19

The Roman god of war was named ______.

Answer 19

Mars

Question 20

Rome was built near the ______ River.

Answer 20

Tiber

Question 21

The Roman general who formed the First Triumvirate with Caesar and Crassus was ______.

Answer 21

Pompey

Question 22

The Julio-Claudian emperor who expanded the empire and built aqueducts was ______.

Answer 22

Claudius

Question 23

The Roman gladiator who led a slave rebellion was named ______.

Answer 23

Spartacus

Question 24

The empire split into East and West under Emperor ______.

Answer 24

Diocletian

Question 25

The Visigoths were led by ______ when they sacked Rome in 410 CE.

Answer 25

Alaric

Question 26

Who was the first emperor of Rome? A. Julius Caesar B. Augustus C. Nero D. Tiberius

Answer 26

Answer: Augustus Explanation: Augustus, formerly Octavian, became the first emperor in 27 BCE.

Question 27

Which two groups made up early Roman society? A. Patricians and slaves B. Senators and citizens C. Patricians and plebeians D. Generals and tribunes

Answer 27

Answer: Patricians and plebeians Explanation: Roman society was divided mainly between patricians (nobles) and plebeians (commoners).

Question 28

What was the name of the Roman written law code? A. Ten Tables B. Roman Laws C. Twelve Tables D. Code of Caesar

Answer 28

Answer: Twelve Tables Explanation: The Twelve Tables were the foundation of Roman law.

Question 29

Who crossed the Rubicon River and started a civil war? A. Augustus B. Pompey C. Julius Caesar D. Crassus

Answer 29

Answer: Julius Caesar Explanation: Crossing the Rubicon was Caesar's act of defiance against the Senate.

Question 30

What was the main cause of the Punic Wars? A. Control of Gaul B. Trade with Egypt C. Control of Sicily D. Roman expansion

Answer 30

Answer: Control of Sicily Explanation: Rome and Carthage fought over control of Sicily.

Question 31

What battle marked Octavian’s final victory over Antony? A. Battle of Zama B. Battle of Cannae C. Battle of Philippi D. Battle of Actium

Answer 31

Answer: Battle of Actium Explanation: Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in 31 BCE.

Question 32

Who led the Roman slave rebellion? A. Cato B. Brutus C. Spartacus D. Mark Antony

Answer 32

Answer: Spartacus Explanation: Spartacus led a major slave revolt against Rome.

Question 33

What was the name of the peace period in the Roman Empire? A. Pax Romana B. Pax Augusta C. Roman Peace D. Imperium Securitas

Answer 33

Answer: Pax Romana Explanation: The Pax Romana was a long period of peace and prosperity in the empire.

Question 34

Which Roman general defeated Hannibal? A. Julius Caesar B. Scipio Africanus C. Trajan D. Augustus

Answer 34

Answer: Scipio Africanus Explanation: Scipio defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.

Question 35

What river runs through the city of Rome? A. Rubicon B. Danube C. Tiber D. Euphrates

Answer 35

Answer: Tiber Explanation: The Tiber River flows through Rome.

Question 36

What title did Octavian receive from the Senate? A. Caesar B. Princeps C. Imperator D. Augustus

Answer 36

Answer: Augustus Explanation: Augustus was the title granted to Octavian by the Senate.

Question 37

In what year did the Western Roman Empire fall? A. 395 CE B. 410 CE C. 476 CE D. 509 BCE

Answer 37

Answer: 476 CE Explanation: The Western Empire ended in 476 CE.

Question 38

Who moved the capital to Constantinople? A. Diocletian B. Nero C. Augustus D. Constantine

Answer 38

Answer: Constantine Explanation: Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium, renamed Constantinople.

Question 39

Which Roman emperor legalized Christianity? A. Augustus B. Nero C. Constantine D. Hadrian

Answer 39

Answer: Constantine Explanation: Constantine made Christianity legal with the Edict of Milan.

Question 40

Which Roman structure was used for chariot races? A. Pantheon B. Forum C. Circus Maximus D. Colosseum

Answer 40

Answer: Circus Maximus Explanation: The Circus Maximus was used for chariot racing.

Question 41

Which language did Romans speak? A. Latin B. Greek C. Italian D. Gaulish

Answer 41

Answer: Latin Explanation: Latin was the official language of Rome.

Question 42

What did the Romans build to carry water to their cities? A. Sewers B. Roads C. Tunnels D. Aqueducts

Answer 42

Answer: Aqueducts Explanation: Aqueducts transported water from distant sources to cities.

Question 43

Which group invaded and sacked Rome in 410 CE? A. Vandals B. Huns C. Visigoths D. Franks

Answer 43

Answer: Visigoths Explanation: The Visigoths invaded and sacked Rome in 410 CE.

Question 44

What type of government did Rome have before the empire? A. Dictatorship B. Monarchy C. Republic D. Empire

Answer 44

Answer: Republic Explanation: Rome was a republic before becoming an empire.

Question 45

What does the phrase 'crossing the Rubicon' mean today? A. To make a wise decision B. To commit to a risky action C. To retreat in battle D. To conquer land

Answer 45

Answer: To commit to a risky action Explanation: It means making a decision you cannot reverse.

Question 46

Who was Cleopatra's Roman ally and partner? A. Julius Caesar B. Octavian C. Mark Antony D. Crassus

Answer 46

Answer: Mark Antony Explanation: Cleopatra allied with Mark Antony.

Question 47

Which emperor is blamed for the Great Fire of Rome? A. Tiberius B. Nero C. Caligula D. Hadrian

Answer 47

Answer: Nero Explanation: Nero is often blamed, though evidence is unclear.

Question 48

What is a Roman legion? A. A military unit B. A type of sword C. A Roman ship D. A legal document

Answer 48

Answer: A military unit Explanation: A legion was the basic Roman military unit.

Question 49

Which Roman emperor began major legal reforms and the Julian calendar? A. Augustus B. Julius Caesar C. Tiberius D. Claudius

Answer 49

Answer: Julius Caesar Explanation: Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar and reforms.

Question 50

Which part of the Roman Empire survived after 476 CE? A. Western Roman Empire B. Eastern Roman Empire C. Byzantine Empire D. Latin Empire

Answer 50

Answer: Byzantine Empire Explanation: The Eastern (Byzantine) Empire continued after 476 CE.