Ancient History: Rome : Ancient History: Rome

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Ancient History: Rome

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Wars, Conflicts, And Uprisings

In what year did the Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy begin?

Possible Answers:

324 CE

284 CE

476 CE

306 CE

Correct answer:

306 CE

Explanation:

The Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy refers to a series of bloody conflicts between the so-called "co-Emperors" of Rome. The conflicts began in 306 CE when the elevation of Severus to Emperor was hotly contested. The conflicts finally ceased in 324 CE, when Constantine emerged as the sole Emperor of Rome.

Example Question #1 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

Which of these statements about the Battle of Adrianople is accurate?

Possible Answers:

It ended in victory for the Goth rebels.

It was fought between two competing ruling dynasties of the Roman Empire.

It ended with the death of Marcus Lepidus.

It ended in victory for forces of Attila the Hun.

It ended with the death of Marcus Crassus.

Correct answer:

It ended in victory for the Goth rebels.

Explanation:

The Battle of Adrianople was fought between the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire and an alliance of Gothic barbarian rebels. It took place in the latter years of the fourth century and was a crucial turning point which contributed to the decline of the Western Roman Empire. The Battle of Adrianople ended in victory for the Goth rebels and defeat for the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Example Question #2 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

The Battle of Adrianople was a notable conflict __________.

Possible Answers:

in the war between Rome and Parthia

in the Gallic Wars

in the decline of the Roman Republic

in the Wars of the Second Triumvirate

in the decline of the Roman Empire

Correct answer:

in the decline of the Roman Empire

Explanation:

The Battle of Adrianople was part of the wider Gothic Wars which devastated the Roman Empire in the latter years of the fourth century. The Battle of Adrianople is generally considered to be a turning point which contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. The Battle of Adrianople witnessed the defeat of the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire by the barbarian forces of the Goths and other tribes. It greatly weakened the power and prestige of the Roman Empire.

Example Question #291 : Ancient History: Rome

The Battle of Chrysopolis __________.

Possible Answers:

began the Social War

began the First Punic War

ended the Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy

ended the Civil Wars of the Second Triumvirate

led to the Roman conquest of Dacia and Parthia

Correct answer:

ended the Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy

Explanation:

The Battle of Chrysopolis was fought in 324 CE between the forces of Constantine and the forces of Licinius. Licinius and Constantine were both rulers of the Tetrarchy and, as the efficacy of the Tetrarchy dissolved, came to be political rivals. Victory at Chrysopolis allowed Constantine to consolidate his power as the sole Emperor of Rome and ended the Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy.

Example Question #292 : Ancient History: Rome

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge contributed to the rise to power of __________.

Possible Answers:

Diocletian

Constantine

Caligula

Justinian I

Augustus Caesar

Correct answer:

Constantine

Explanation:

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was part of the Civil War of the Tetrarchy. It was fought in 312 CE, between the forces of Constantine and the forces of Maxentius. It ended with the death of Maxentius and victory for Constantine’s forces. It was instrumental in the rise to power of Constantine.

Example Question #13 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

Many Germanic tribes were displaced in the fifth century by __________.

Possible Answers:

settlers from the Parthian Empire

ecological disaster

the conquests of Attila the Hun

settlers from the Roman Empire

pillaging raids led by Viking invaders

Correct answer:

the conquests of Attila the Hun

Explanation:

Atilla the Hun was the leader of the Hunnic Empire during the middle of the fifth century. The Huns were a nomadic people who led a series of devastating attacks on the barbarian populations of eastern and central Europe. These attacks led to a massive displacement of the Germanic people who were forced to migrate further into the heart of the Roman Empire to escape Atilla’s catastrophic raids. This contributed to the weakening of the Roman Empire, particularly in the west. Attila invaded Italy in 451 CE, but was stopped before he could sack the city of Rome.

Example Question #11 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

The First Council of Nicea (325 AD) produced the Nicene Creed, which was a(n) ________________.

Possible Answers:

proclamation of the emperor's divinity 

document in support of Arian Christianity

legal code for citizens of the Byzantine Empire

declaration of the Byzantine Empire's superiority over Western Rome

uniform doctrine for all Christians to follow

Correct answer:

uniform doctrine for all Christians to follow

Explanation:

The First Council of Nicea (325 AD) created the Nicene creed as a way to unify the fragmenting and diversifying beliefs in Christianity developing throughout the Byzantine empire. It establishes and explains the relationships between God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. The other answers are incorrect because it was not crafted as legislation for political purposes, and was written to counter Arian Christianity, which questioned elements of the orthodox faith.

Example Question #12 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

What was the main topic debated at the First Council of Nicaea?

Possible Answers:

Transubstantiation during the Communion

New Testament Canonical books

Veneration of religious icons

Divinity of Jesus Christ

Veneration and prayer to saints

Correct answer:

Divinity of Jesus Christ

Explanation:

The First Council of Nicaea was convened by Emperor Constantine I in 325 CE. The main purpose of this council was to debate the nature of Jesus Christ in relation to his divinity according to Scripture. 

The council concluded that Jesus Christ was divine, co-eternal with God the Father as according to Christian doctrine.

Example Question #13 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

Which Roman Emperor is most famous for legalizing Christianity and officially ending the persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire?

Possible Answers:

Julian I (the Apostate)

Marcus Aurelius

Constantine I

Diocletian

Theodosius I

Correct answer:

Constantine I

Explanation:

Emperor Constantine I (also called Constantine the Great) supposedly had a vision during the Battle of Milvan Bridge in 312 CE in which he saw a cross of light hovering above the battlefield along with the words "in this sign, conquer".

The following year, the Edict of Milan granted tolerance to all religions, including Christianity. Christianity would later go on to become the state religion of the Roman Empire in 380 CE.

Example Question #14 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

The Edict of Milan, drafted in 313 CE, established official Roman tolerance for which religion?

Possible Answers:

Judaism

Islam

Christianity

Hinduism

Buddhism

Correct answer:

Christianity

Explanation:

The Roman Empire had a long and sometimes contentious relationship with Judaism, however the Edict of Milan did not mention them, so Judaism would not be a good choice. Islam only became a popular and widely practiced religion after the fall of Rome, so that too would not be a good choice. Buddhism and Hinduism are ancient world religions, however the Roman Empire did not have any notable exposure to them, so they would not be good choices. Finally, the Edict of Milan specifically called for tolerance of Christianity, so that would be the best choice.

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