Question 1

Which of the following are entirely or mostly absent from the native myth traditions of Rome?

Accepted Answer

A,D

Question 2

One of the oldest known inscriptions in the Greek alphabet (found on a small island in the Bay of Naples) refers to _______.

Accepted Answer

The inscription refers to a famous cup owned by Nestor in Homer's Iliad, known as the "Cup of Nestor," which is one of the earliest examples of Greek writing.

Question 3

Wealthy land-owning families who formed the privileged political class at Rome were known as the _______.

Accepted Answer

Patricians were the wealthy land-owning families who formed the privileged political class in ancient Rome.

Question 4

The executive branch of Roman republican government consisted of _______.

Accepted Answer

The executive branch of the Roman republican government was led by two consuls, who were elected annually and held the highest level of authority in the government.

Question 5

After Julius Caesar's death, which two Romans conquered the senatorial armies and divided the world between themselves?

Accepted Answer

Octavian and Marc Antony formed the Second Triumvirate and defeated the senatorial armies led by Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi.

Question 6

In Latin, numina are literally "_______."

Accepted Answer

Numina in Latin literally means "nodders," referring to divine powers or spirits that nod in approval, indicating their will or presence.

Question 7

What is the term for the legal transfer of something into the ownership of a numen?

Accepted Answer

The term "sacrificium" refers to the act of offering something to a deity or numen, which can be seen as a legal transfer of ownership to the divine.

Question 8

Until the final victory of Augustus in 30 BC, the doors of _______ had stood opened for more than two hundred years.

Accepted Answer

The doors of the Temple of Janus in Rome were traditionally open in times of war and closed during peace. They remained open for over two hundred years until Augustus closed them after his victory, symbolizing the establishment of peace.

Question 9

Who was the numen who presided over women as members of the family?

Accepted Answer

Juno was the Roman goddess who presided over women as members of the family, particularly in their roles as wives and mothers.

Question 10

Which of the following numina was an Etruscan import and associated with handicrafts?

Accepted Answer

Minerva was an Etruscan import associated with handicrafts, wisdom, and war, similar to the Greek goddess Athena.

Question 11

_______ seems once to have been a numen of fresh water, but under Greek influence also took on the protection of animal and human fertility.

Accepted Answer

Venus, originally a numen of fresh water, was later associated with fertility under Greek influence.

Question 12

Which hero had numerous special cults, including the Ara Maxima, dedicated to him in the Form Boarium of Rome?

Accepted Answer

Hercules was the hero who had numerous special cults in Rome, including the Ara Maxima in the Forum Boarium, which was a significant altar dedicated to him.

Question 13

Though similar, the Lares were always fixed to a specific location, while the _______ were portable.

Accepted Answer

The Penates were household gods in Roman religion that were portable and could be moved with the family, unlike the Lares, which were tied to a specific location.

Question 14

The head of a Roman familia, endowed with patria potestas, was the _______.

Accepted Answer

The paterfamilias was the male head of a Roman family who held patria potestas, or the legal authority over the family.

Question 15

The Roman vision of the state as an enlarged family is perhaps most clear from the exaltation in myth of a set of duties called _______.

Accepted Answer

Pietas refers to the Roman virtue of duty towards one's family, gods, and country, reflecting the idea of the state as an enlarged family.

Question 16

Like Achilles, Aeneas had a _______.

Accepted Answer

Both Achilles and Aeneas had mortal fathers and divine mothers. Achilles' mother was the goddess Thetis, and Aeneas' mother was the goddess Venus (Aphrodite).

Question 17

Which of the following are among the places visited by Aeneas in his wanderings after his escape from Troy?

Accepted Answer

Aeneas visited Delos, Thrace, and Crete during his journey after escaping from Troy, as described in Virgil's "Aeneid". Athens is not mentioned as one of his destinations.

Question 18

Who accompanies Aeneas on his descent into the underworld?

Accepted Answer

The Sibyl, a prophetess, accompanies Aeneas into the underworld as his guide.

Question 19

Which three things does Anchises list as Aeneas' "god-given skill" as a Roman?

Accepted Answer

Anchises tells Aeneas that his god-given skills as a Roman are to impose good conduct on peace, to thrust the proud from the throne, and to forgive the beaten and humble. Measuring the heavens and telling the rise of the stars is not listed as a Roman skill.

Question 20

Which of the following are among the differences between the epic poems of Homer and Vergil?

Accepted Answer

Vergil's "Aeneid" is known for its patriotic purpose, celebrating Roman ideals, unlike Homer's works. Additionally, Vergil's work is more self-conscious and learned, reflecting a different literary style compared to the oral tradition of Homer.

Quiz 23: Legends of Aeneas