History Midterm Semester 1

Question 1

Identify the title of the representatives of the plebeian class in the Roman Senate.

Answer 1

The majority of Rome’s population, which included wealthy, non-aristocratic townspeople, land-owners, shopkeepers, merchants, small farmers, and laborers.

Question 2

Christians made the Roman government angry in all of the following ways (3 examples)

Answer 2

1. They refused to fight in the army.
2. They wouldn’t worship the emperor as a god.
3. They disrespected the Roman religion.

Question 3

After the death of Theodosius, the eastern part of the Roman Empire became known as what?

Answer 3

The Byzantine Empire.

Question 4

The rule of Augustus Caesar included all of the following achievements (3 examples)

Answer 4

1. Governors could no longer exploit the provinces.
2. Local tax collectors were replaced by government employees.
3. New roads were built and grain was imported to feed all of Rome, and magnificent public buildings were constructed.

Question 5

Diocletian issued the Edict of Prices in an attempt to do what?

Answer 5

To slow down inflation, because it froze wages and set maximum prices for goods.

Question 6

Early Rome was divided into two main social classes known as what?

Answer 6

The Patricians and the Plebeians.

Question 7

The Gracchus Brothers were killed because they wanted to do what?

Answer 7

They called for a limit on the size of latifundias with the land distributed among the poor.

Question 8

During the Pax Romana, Romans did all of the following things (3 examples)

Answer 8

1. They built aqueducts.
2. they built a road system that covered the empire
   3.they built the colosseum and the Circus Maximus using concrete.

Question 9

What was the cause of the First Punic War?

Answer 9

Carthage came into conflict with Rome over the island of Sicily and the waterway between Sicily and Italy called “The Strait of Messina.”

Question 10

Christianity was adopted as the official religion of Rome by which Emperor?

Answer 10

Theodosius

Question 11

Describe the members of the plebeian class in Rome?

Answer 11

They were the majority of Rome’s population, which included wealthy, non-aristocratic townspeople, landowners, shopkeepers, merchants, small farmers, and laborers.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the meaning of the term latifundia?

Answer 12

Large Roman estates.

Question 13

How did Octavian win control of Rome?

Answer 13

He convinced the Senate that one single ruler would be better able to control the Republic.

Question 14

Name the Romance languages that are based on the Latin language.

Answer 14

Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian.

Question 15

What led to the fall of the Roman Empire?

Answer 15

1. The barbaric invasions.
2. unstable political leadership.
3. inflation.

Question 16

The First Triumvirate was a group of leaders with equal power which included all of the following people (3 names)

Answer 16

Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.

Question 17

The religious beliefs of the Roman Republic were most greatly influenced by the beliefs of which culture?

Answer 17

The Greeks

Question 18

By reading the Twelve Tables, people could learn about what part of Roman society?

Answer 18

Roman’s laws that were written down.

Question 19

Three things that Constantine did.

Answer 19

1. had a vision which compelled him to order his men to paint crosses on their shields before the battle to add protection
2. credited his victory in battle to the Christian God.
3. Believed in god.

Question 20

negative results of the Punic Wars for Rome (3 examples)

Answer 20

1. Rome experienced inflation.
2. split the empire into 2 separate empires.
3. they went through hegemony.

Question 21

characteristics of Greek religion (3 examples)

Answer 21

1. The gods looked like humans.
2. the main gods lived on Mt. Olympus.
3. the gods oversaw aspects of Greek life.

Question 22

The public square in Greek city-states where meetings and markets took place was called what?

Answer 22

The Agora

Question 23

Despite Greece’s mild climate, why was transportation and communication difficult?

Answer 23

Greece had a very uneven landscape with many hills and mountains, which would make it take awhile to travel across Greece.

Question 24

What were the two Aegean civilizations that came before the Greek civilization?

Answer 24

The Minoans and the Myceanaeans.

Question 25

Facts about the Golden Age of Athens (3 examples)

Answer 25

1. Pericles ruled Athens.
2. was the peak of Greek civilization.
3. they built great structures like the Parthenon.

Question 26

Why was Draco’s code considered an improvement over the old Athenian laws?

Answer 26

Because now the laws would be written down for all to see.

Question 27

In order to become a Spartan citizen, a person must…

Answer 27

be born on Spartan soil and/ or have Spartan parents.

Question 28

What was the first type of Greek play?

Answer 28

Tragedy and Comedy plays.

Question 29

Hippocrates promoted all of the following ideas (3 examples)

Answer 29

1. He believed that diseases have natural causes.
2. urged doctors to record observations in patients.
3. advocated proper hygiene, a good diet, and plenty of rest. He was also the founder of the Hippocratic Oath.

Question 30

The mixture of Greek culture and other Middle Eastern cultures was known as what?

Answer 30

Hellenism

Question 31

What would a teacher using the Socratic Method do?

Answer 31

Students would be asked a question and, through logical argument, would be forced to defend their answers.

Question 32

How often and for whom were the Greek Olympics held?

Answer 32

Held every four years to honor Zeus

Question 33

What was used to defend the Spartan city-state?

Answer 33

The Spartan army as well as their defensive walls.

Question 34

Who fought in the Peloponnesian War?

Answer 34

Athens and Sparta.

Question 35

Who was Cincinnatus and why was he important?

Answer 35

He was a hero of Rome because he became a dictator when the city was threatened by attack and resolved the issue in 16 days.

Question 36

What does the phrase “Come back with your shield or on it” mean?

Answer 36

It means that you either come back winning the war with your shield or you die in war and come back with your body carried on your shield.

Question 37

What is the definition of a “Pyrrhic Victory”?

Answer 37

When a victory is won at too great a cost.

Question 38

What does “Crossing the Rubicon” mean and who did it?

Answer 38

Used to describe a point of no return. Caesar did it when we crossed the river because he’d either win or die.

Question 39

How were the Romans able to defeat Hannibal in the Second Punic War?

Answer 39

The Roman general Scipio led the attack on Carthage which forced Hannibal to abandon his fight in order to defend his homeland.

Question 40

Why was the Roman Empire divided into two parts?

Answer 40

To stabilize the empire.

Question 41

Know three reasons why people chose to join Christianity.

Answer 41

1. Eternal life.
2. everyone was accepted.
3. it was familiar.

Question 42

Know three ways that the Roman Republic was similar to the United States government.

Answer 42

1. The Senate
2. A democracy
3. the people voted

Question 43

Who won the Punic Wars?

Answer 43

Rome

Question 44

What are three main causes for the downfall of the Western Roman Empire?

Answer 44

Barbaric invasion, poor leadership, and inflation.

Question 45

What are three advancements introduced in Rome during the Pax Romana?

Answer 45

1. Laws were applied to non-citizens.
2. laws applied to Romans citizens.
3. all accused persons were innocent until proven guilty.

Question 46

Name three Julio-Claudian emperors that were considered bad.

Answer 46

Caligula, Nero and Tiberius.

Question 47

Who were the helots?

Answer 47

They were the slaves found in Spartan society.

Question 48

What did the Spartans use for a currency of exchange?

Answer 48

Iron bars.

Question 49

What is the term used to describe a fortified hilltop where people sought shelter in times of strife?

Answer 49

Acropolis

Question 50

Who ran 26.2 miles to share Athen’s victory over Persia at the Battle of Marathon?

Answer 50

Phidippides