Question 1

One way by which the Romans were able to maintain their empire was through:

Accepted Answer

The Romans were able to maintain control over their vast empire through the construction of a system of roads that allowed for the movement of troops and supplies throughout the empire. The roads also facilitated trade and communication, which helped to unify the empire and promote a sense of Roman identity among the people.

Question 2

Although many emperors who followed Augustus in the Julio-Claudian dynasty were able individuals,many were not; arguably the worst of these was:

Accepted Answer

Caligula is widely regarded as one of the worst and most depraved emperors in Roman history. He was known for his cruelty, extravagance, and megalomania. He reportedly made his horse a consul, declared himself a god, and engaged in incest and other perverse behaviors. His reign ended in his assassination by members of the Praetorian Guard.

Question 3

The Romans were able to support cities with large populations due,in no small measure,to the:

Accepted Answer

The construction of a system of aqueducts allowed for a steady supply of potable water to the cities. This made it possible to support large populations without risking disease outbreaks from contaminated water sources.

Question 4

The Augustan system refers to:

Accepted Answer

The Augustan system refers to the political reforms instituted by Augustus, which included the establishment of the principate and the concentration of effective power in the hands of the emperor, while maintaining the forms of the Republic. These reforms were continued under his successors and had a significant impact on the Roman government and society. The other choices are either too specific or not a part of the Augustan system.

Question 5

Pax Romana refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Pax Romana refers to the long period (approximately 200 years) in which there were no major wars within the Roman Empire. This period was characterized by relative stability, economic prosperity, and cultural achievements.

Question 6

Cultural and intellectual developments in Rome reached their pinnacle during:

Accepted Answer

The Principate was a period of great cultural and intellectual development in Rome.

Question 7

The Romans were the first people to use ___ on a massive scale in their buildings.

Accepted Answer

The Romans were renowned for their use of concrete in their buildings, which allowed them to construct large and complex structures such as aqueducts, amphitheaters, and domed buildings. The Romans developed a special blend of concrete known as Roman concrete, which was made from a mixture of volcanic ash, lime, and water. This allowed them to create structures that were both strong and durable.

Question 8

By the third century B.C.E.Roman aristocracy gradually shifted from being a position of wealth to one of birth.

Accepted Answer

The Roman aristocracy in the third century B.C.E. was still largely based on wealth, with new men (novi homines) able to rise to prominence through military and political success, although lineage and family connections were becoming increasingly important.

Question 9

One example of how Rome transformed the world into the Roman world would be:

Accepted Answer

The evolving process of Roman leaders coming from everywhere within the empire and people settling far from their place of birth contributed to the spread of Roman culture, customs, and language throughout the empire. While Latin was widely used, it did not completely replace all other languages, and not all administrators throughout the empire were from Rome itself. Option A is not entirely accurate as not everyone within the empire necessarily wanted to travel to Rome, and option B is an exaggeration.

Question 10

Roman law consisted of three branches: civil law,natural law,and:

Accepted Answer

Roman law indeed consisted of three main branches: civil law (jus civile), natural law (jus naturale), and the law of peoples (jus gentium). The law of peoples (jus gentium) was a set of principles that applied to both Romans and foreigners for transactions and interactions that crossed ethnic or national lines.

Question 11

The wars between Rome and Carthage are called the Punic Wars because Rome was seeking punishment,or punitive damages,from Carthage for their invasion of Sicily.

Accepted Answer

The term "Punic" comes from the Latin word "Punicus" (or "Poenicus"), which was used to refer to the Carthaginians. It is derived from the Greek word "Phoinix," reflecting the Phoenician ancestry of the Carthaginians, not from any notion of punishment.

Question 12

Roman religion was not exclusive; new gods could be added and honored or removed.

Accepted Answer

Roman religion was known for its syncretism, which allowed for the addition and removal of gods. New gods could be adopted from conquered territories and added to the pantheon, while gods who were no longer deemed relevant could be removed or diminished in importance. This flexibility was a key aspect of Roman religious practice.

Question 13

Deep reserves of manpower and the discipline of Rome and its allies were the keys to success in overcoming Hannibal's military genius.

Accepted Answer

Rome and its allies had a large population and well-disciplined armies, which allowed them to sustain a long war against Hannibal and ultimately defeat him.

Question 14

Italy was the least slave-based economy known to history.

Accepted Answer

Italy did have some slaves throughout its history, particularly during the Roman Empire. While it is true that compared to other ancient societies, Italy had relatively fewer slaves and relied more on other forms of labor (such as sharecropping and tenant farming), it still cannot be said that it was the least slave-based economy known to history.

Question 15

At the end of the Third Punic War,the surviving Carthaginians were sold into slavery and the ground around Carthage was sown with salt to prohibit anyone from rebuilding the empire.

Accepted Answer

The story that the Romans sowed the ground around Carthage with salt is a myth and there is no contemporary evidence to support this claim. The Romans did destroy Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War in 146 BC, and many survivors were sold into slavery, but the salting of the earth is a later invention.

Question 16

Stoicism was popular with the lower classes in response to the Greek influences exhibited by the upper class.

Accepted Answer

Stoicism was not necessarily popular with the lower classes in response to Greek influences exhibited by the upper class. Stoicism was a philosophical school of thought that was popular across all social classes in ancient Rome. It offered guidance on how one could lead a meaningful life and overcome the challenges of daily living.

Question 17

The "Golden Age" in Roman literature refers to the literature produced under the reign of:

Accepted Answer

The Golden Age in Roman literature refers to the period of flourishing Latin literature under the reign of Augustus. This era saw the work of Virgil, Ovid, and Horace, among others, and is considered a high point in Roman literature.

Question 18

Our knowledge of the Etruscans is extensive because of their prolific writing.

Accepted Answer

Our knowledge of the Etruscans is actually limited because much of their writing has been lost or destroyed over time. Much of what we know about them comes from archaeological evidence and accounts written by ancient Greek and Roman authors who had contact with the Etruscans.

Question 19

Gladiatorial combat was always staged as a matched pair who fought to the death.

Accepted Answer

Gladiatorial combat did not always result in the death of both competitors. Sometimes a gladiator could be spared if he fought well or if the audience showed mercy. Additionally, matches were not always between evenly matched opponents.

Question 20

The Romans did not usually impose heavy taxes or tributes on the cities they conquered,but demanded soldiers to contribute to their army.

Accepted Answer

The Romans often required cities to provide soldiers for their army, but they generally did not impose heavy taxes or tributes.

Quiz 5: The Civilization of Ancient Rome