Question 1

New cultural influences in Late Antiquity included:
A) Egyptian mystery religion,especially the cult of Isis and Osiris.
B) Christianity,which first found followers in cities and then in rural areas.
C) the political writings of Plato and Aristotle,which had previously been lost.
D) the patronage of artists and writers by Hellenistic rulers in the Near East.
E) the intellectual developments of the Islamic world.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

Economic reforms introduced by the early fourth century Roman Empire included:
A) a single paper currency that could be used throughout the empire.
B) legislation allowing agricultural and urban workers to change their jobs.
C) further cutbacks in military spending to meet the budget.
D) wage and price controls fixed by the government.
E) tax cuts for businesses and a rudimentary form of retirement pensions.

Accepted Answer

The early fourth-century Roman Empire, under Emperor Diocletian, introduced wage and price controls in an attempt to curb inflation and stabilize the economy. This was part of a broader program of reforms aimed at strengthening the empire's economic and administrative structures. Other options listed, such as a single paper currency, legislation allowing workers to change jobs, cutbacks in military spending, tax cuts for businesses, and retirement pensions, do not accurately reflect the economic reforms of that period.

Question 3

The Dead Sea Scrolls have helped historians to understand the religious climate of the first century C.E.by:
A) describing Jewish life after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
B) providing concrete evidence about the life and ministry of Jesus.
C) demonstrating the diversity of Jewish religious practice and belief.
D) proving that most of the first century converts to Christianity were Jews.
E) describing the infighting between the various Jewish sects of the first century C.E.

Accepted Answer

The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a variety of texts that demonstrate the diversity of Jewish religious practice and belief in the first century C.E. This includes texts from various Jewish sects, such as the Essenes, which shed light on the religious climate of the period. While the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide concrete evidence about the life and ministry of Jesus, they do provide important historical context for understanding the religious world in which he lived.

Question 4

One of the problems of the third century caused by Rome's expansion was the:
A) fact that the empire was no longer centered on Rome.
B) ever increasing number of people claiming Roman citizenship.
C) dispersal of resources to the far-flung provinces of the empire.
D) lack of defensible borders.
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

All of these factors contributed to the problems faced by Rome in the third century. The expansion of the empire meant that Rome was no longer the sole center of power and influence, which caused political and social instability. The increasing number of people claiming Roman citizenship put a strain on resources and services, while the dispersal of resources to far-flung provinces depleted Rome's strength and weakened its ability to defend its borders. Overall, these factors contributed to the decline and eventual collapse of the Roman Empire.

Question 5

Many Greek philosophies gained large numbers of Roman adherents and shared several tenets,but the one that was instrumental in influencing Christian theology was:
A) Neoplatonism.
B) Skepticism.
C) Stoicism.
D) Epicureanism.
E) Pythagoreanism.

Accepted Answer

Neoplatonism, which was founded by the philosopher Plotinus, emphasized the existence of a single, transcendent God who is the source of all existence. This idea greatly influenced early Christian theologians such as Augustine of Hippo, who integrated Neoplatonic concepts into Christian doctrine.

Question 6

Which statement best describes the position of the Sadducees in Palestine during the first century C.E.?
A) The Sadducees believed that interpretation of religious law was for the temple priesthood.
B) The Sadducees rejected the authority of the Romans and refused their assistance in selecting new high priests for the Temple.
C) The Sadducees believed in life after death and a system of individual rewards and punishments.
D) The Sadducees were among the first and most enthusiastic converts to Christianity.
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

The Sadducees believed that interpretation of religious law was the responsibility of the temple priesthood, rather than the scribes and Pharisees. They were often at odds with the Pharisees and were seen as more conservative in their outlook. The other statements are not accurate regarding the beliefs and position of the Sadducees.

Question 7

Jesus is the central figure in Christianity,but Paul was important:
A) first as a persecutor,then a follower,and finally a heretic.
B) as founder of the universal church,giving it theology and organization.
C) because he wrote the Gospels,Epistles,and teachings of the apostles.
D) in arguing that women should be allowed to speak in church.
E) in serving as the first Christian leader in Rome; the first pope.

Accepted Answer

While Jesus is the central figure in Christianity, Paul played a crucial role in the early church as the founder of the universal church. He gave it a theology and organization that allowed it to become a global religion. Paul wrote several Epistles that contain important teachings for Christians, including his teachings on salvation through faith in Christ. He also played a role in resolving theological debates and helped establish the authority of the apostles. While Paul was not the first Christian leader in Rome, he did spend time there and helped establish Christian communities throughout the Roman Empire.

Question 8

By 300 C.E.,Christians numbered no more than 5 percent of the population of the Roman Empire; one reason for this might be due to:
A) eastern mystery religions holding a much greater appeal for ordinary people.
B) the Manicheans who served in the army and persecuted Christians.
C) Diocletian's policy of persecution of any group deemed to be subversive.
D) the emperor converting to Zoroastrianism and outlawing all other religions.
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

The answer of By 300 C.E.,Christians numbered no more than...

Question 9

Which statement best describes the position of the Pharisees in Palestine during the first century C.E.?
A) The Pharisees believed that interpretation of religious law was for the Temple priesthood.
B) The Pharisees rejected the authority of the Romans and refused their interference in selecting new high priests for the Temple.
C) The Pharisees believed in life after death and a system of individual rewards and punishments.
D) The Pharisees were among the first and most enthusiastic converts to Christianity.
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

The Pharisees believed in life after death and a system of individual rewards and punishments. This is a defining characteristic of the Pharisees and is often contrasted with the beliefs of the Sadducees who did not believe in an afterlife. The other options are not accurate representations of the Pharisees.

Question 10

As a ruler,Diocletian was known for:
A) sponsoring new Roman colonies in North Africa.
B) supporting individual freedom,as shown by his title dominos.
C) military regimentation in everything he did.
D) separating military from civilian chains of command.
E) ending the gladiatorial games throughout the empire.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a ruler,Diocletian was known for:
A) sponsoring...

Question 11

When the emperor died in 192 with no heir apparent,civil war once again engulfed the Roman Empire with _________ eventually claiming the throne.
A) Septimius Severus
B) Marcus Aurelius
C) Antonius Pius
D) Aramaic Emesa
E) Romulus Augustus

Accepted Answer

After the death of Emperor Commodus in 192 AD, there was a struggle for power, and Septimius Severus emerged as the victor. He became the new emperor and founded the Severan dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire from 193 to 235 AD.

Question 12

The tetrarchy was the split of Rome into halves and the creation of:
A) a single augustus who ruled the wealthy East and a caesar who ruled the West.
B) two augustuses who ruled the East and two caesars who ruled the West.
C) an augustus in the West and one in the East who were assisted and would be succeeded by caesars.
D) a single augustus who ruled the troublesome West and a caesar who ruled the East.
E) an augustus to rule the empire with four caesars to rule the four quadrants of the empire.

Accepted Answer

The tetrarchy created two augustuses, one in the West and one in the East, who were assisted and would be succeeded by two caesars each. This was done in an attempt to improve governance and prevent the destabilizing conflicts over succession that had plagued Rome in the past.

Question 13

The gospel accounts of Jesus's life:
A) were written before Paul's letters.
B) contain a description of Jesus's miracles,but not his death and resurrection.
C) form (when combined with the Hebrew Torah)the Christian New Testament.
D) were probably written between 70 and 100 C.E.
E) contain the historical facts of Jesus's life but do not include any miracles.

Accepted Answer

Scholars believe that the gospel accounts were written between 70 and 100 C.E., several decades after Jesus's death. This is based on various factors such as the dating of other historical events referenced in the gospels, the language used, and the theological developments reflected in the texts. Option A is incorrect because Paul's letters were written earlier than the gospel accounts. Option B is incorrect because all four gospels contain descriptions of Jesus's death and resurrection. Option C is incorrect because the Christian New Testament includes more than just the gospel accounts and Hebrew Torah. Option E is incorrect because the gospel accounts do contain descriptions of miracles performed by Jesus.

Question 14

The roots of the papacy lie in:
A) the imperial order of Constantine at the Council of Nicea.
B) a passage from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew.
C) the Greek practice of nominating a patriarch to administer a city.
D) the general agreement among fourth-century bishops that one leader should speak for the Church.
E) modeling the Church organization after the Roman Empire with the emperor at its head.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The roots of the papacy lie in:
A)...

Question 15

The crisis of the early third century was precipitated by:
A) the harmonious state of affairs created by the rule of the Five Good Emperors.
B) none of the Five Good Emperors having a male heir to whom to leave the throne.
C) the economic collapse of the Roman Empire in 180 caused by the death of Marcus Aurelius.
D) the retreat from the eastern frontier and violent tendencies of Hadrian's successor,Commodus.
E) the retreat from the eastern frontier and violent tendencies of Marcus Aurelius's son,Commodus.

Accepted Answer

The retreat from the eastern frontier and violent tendencies of Marcus Aurelius's son, Commodus, contributed to the crisis of the early third century. Commodus's rule was marked by corruption and extravagance, and he removed competent officials from their posts in favor of those who would support his lavish lifestyle. This weakened the military and led to military defeats on the eastern frontier, further adding to the empire's troubles.

Question 16

Realizing that the Roman Empire had become too large for a single ruler to control it:
A) Constantine divided the empire in half,trusting a junior colleague to rule the western part.
B) Constantine built a new capital city named Constantinople in Palestine.
C) Diocletian divided the empire in half,trusting a junior colleague to rule the western part.
D) Diocletian resigned his position as emperor and encouraged the development of regional republics.
E) Diocletian created the Roman Senate to rule the empire,and he retired to Spilt to raise cabbages.

Accepted Answer

Diocletian divided the empire in half, creating the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire. He then entrusted a junior colleague, Maximian, to rule the western part while he ruled the eastern part. This was known as the tetrarchy or the rule of four, as each half of the empire was further divided into two parts, with a senior ruler and a junior colleague. This system helped to alleviate some of the administrative burden on one person and allowed for more efficient governance of such a large empire.

Question 17

During the third century,Rome underwent a prolonged period that came very close to destroying the empire.This period is known as the time of the:
A) "Pax Romana," when the Huns sacked Rome.
B) "quickening," when the bureaucratic changes came rapidly.
C) "Five Bad Emperors," when Rome had the worst emperors in its history.
D) "Augustan decay," when all the reforms of Marcus Aurelius were implemented.
E) "Barracks Emperors," when Rome had twenty-six emperors in about fifty years.

Accepted Answer

The Barracks Emperors were a series of almost thirty rulers who came to power through military force and often had brief and tumultuous reigns. This period of instability and frequent changes in leadership was a major factor in the decline of the Roman Empire. The other options are not accurate descriptions of this period in Roman history. The Pax Romana was a period of relative peace and stability, the "quickening" is not a commonly recognized term in Roman history, the Five Good Emperors were leaders who came before this period, and "Augustan decay" is not a commonly recognized term either.

Question 18

When Diocletian took power,he:
A) declared support for Christianity and echoed Constantine's program of toleration to strengthen his empire.
B) followed Augustus's image of princeps rather than domus to alleviate fears of his imperial ambition and worked alongside the Senate and military to at least give the illusion of a republican government.
C) shamelessly elevated his own family and friends to prestigious offices and used his power over the military to keep the empire in check.
D) isolated himself from ordinary business and people and introduced an eastern style of rule,wearing a diadem and purple robes.
E) invaded the territory of the Germanic tribes across the Danube in the East and the Rhine in the West to finally bring to an end the threat of the barbarians to the empire.

Accepted Answer

Diocletian introduced an eastern style of rule, distancing himself from ordinary people and adopting symbols of monarchy like wearing a diadem and purple robes, which marked a shift from the earlier Roman traditions of leadership.

Question 19

According to Chapter 6,it is probably best to assume that:
A) Jesus was a historical figure about whose life we know a great deal.
B) Jesus was a real person,but Pontius Pilate and high priest Caiaphas were probably literary characters.
C) the existence of Jesus cannot be established; it is a matter of faith alone.
D) Paul was a companion and disciple of Jesus.
E) Jesus is almost certainly a fictional character created by the writings of Paul.

Accepted Answer

Chapter 6 indicates that although there are varying opinions among scholars, it is generally accepted that Jesus was a historical figure about whom we have some reliable information. The chapter discusses various historical sources outside of the New Testament that mention Jesus and his followers, as well as the historical context in which he lived.

Question 20

By the end of the third century it became obvious that:
A) the Roman Empire would succeed in extending itself into Scandinavia.
B) Rome's western and eastern provinces could not be controlled by a single central government.
C) the process of making all people Roman citizens had actually increased internal tensions and rebellions.
D) the Persian empire would finally mount the resources to conquer Greece and Sicily.
E) the Goths posed no real threat to the northern frontier.

Accepted Answer

By the end of the third century, the Roman Empire had become too large to be effectively governed by a single central government. The western and eastern provinces were becoming increasingly distinct and had their own unique challenges and needs. This ultimately led to the division of the empire into eastern and western halves.

Quiz 6: The Transformation of Rome

New cultural influences in Late Antiquity included:

Economic reforms introduced by the early fourth century Roman Empire included:

The Dead Sea Scrolls have helped historians to understand the religious climate of the first century C.E.by:

One of the problems of the third century caused by Rome's expansion was the:

Many Greek philosophies gained large numbers of Roman adherents and shared several tenets,but the one that was instrumental in influencing Christian theology was:

Which statement best describes the position of the Sadducees in Palestine during the first century C.E.?

Jesus is the central figure in Christianity,but Paul was important:

By 300 C.E.,Christians numbered no more than 5 percent of the population of the Roman Empire; one reason for this might be due to:

Which statement best describes the position of the Pharisees in Palestine during the first century C.E.?

As a ruler,Diocletian was known for:

When the emperor died in 192 with no heir apparent,civil war once again engulfed the Roman Empire with _________ eventually claiming the throne.

The tetrarchy was the split of Rome into halves and the creation of:

The gospel accounts of Jesus's life:

The roots of the papacy lie in:

The crisis of the early third century was precipitated by:

Realizing that the Roman Empire had become too large for a single ruler to control it:

During the third century,Rome underwent a prolonged period that came very close to destroying the empire.This period is known as the time of the:

When Diocletian took power,he:

According to Chapter 6,it is probably best to assume that:

By the end of the third century it became obvious that: