Ancient History: Rome : Ancient History: Rome

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : The Later Roman Empire (284 476 Ce)

The Edict of Milan was issued during the reign of __________.

Possible Answers:

Constantine

Hadrian

Antonius Pius

Titus

Claudius

Correct answer:

Constantine

Explanation:

The Edict of Milan, which established religious tolerance of Christians in the Roman Empire, was issued during the reign of Constantine I in 313 CE.

Example Question #1 : Art And Culture

What does the word "muse" represent in Roman and Greek culture?

Possible Answers:

Doctor

Music

Pottery

Paintings

Manual Labor

Correct answer:

Music

Explanation:

The word, "muse" comes from the Greek word mousike, which means the art of music. The muses in ancient Roman literature are the carriers of music. Pottery and paintings were not around until much later in roman history through mosaics and other visual representations. Music from the muses was a large and important concept in Roman history. We can eliminate doctor and manual labor as these careers did not contribute back to the "arts"

Example Question #2 : Art And Culture

Under what Empire would a religious, sectioned, panel painting, as shown below, have been popular?

800px transfiguration of christ icon sinai 12th century

Possible Answers:

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Caesar's Empire

None of these

Byzantine Empire

Ottoman Empire

Correct answer:

Byzantine Empire

Explanation:

The Byzantine Empire was characterized by religious panel paintings. The Ottoman Empire followed the Byzantine and was notable for the destruction of many panel paintings such as this one. If you chose Julio-Claudian or Ottoman, remember to consider the time frame of when such paintings would have been popular.  Also remember that Caesar's empire was long before the Byzantine paintings. 

Image is in the public domain, accessed via Wikipedia Media Commons: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastero_di_Santa_Caterina_(Egitto)#/media/File:Transfiguration_of_Christ_Icon_Sinai_12th_century.jpg

Example Question #1 : Art And Culture

The Acta Diurna was a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

military formation

religious festival

newspaper

hospital

aqueduct

Correct answer:

newspaper

Explanation:

The Acta Diurna (Daily Acts) was a newspaper that was published in Rome beginning in the second century BCE. The purpose of the Acta Diurna was to inform the Roman population about Roman military campaigns, births and deaths of important people, and public gatherings.

Example Question #311 : Ancient History: Rome

What expedition marked the end of Constantine's reign over Rome?

Possible Answers:

The Armenian Expedition

The British Expedition

None of these

Capture of the Vikings

The Hun Expedition

Correct answer:

The British Expedition

Explanation:

The only correct answer here is the British expedition which marks the end of Constantine's favorable rule over Rome. The Hun expedition did not occur until Theodosius took reign. You may have chosen the Armenian expedition because of the close geographic location of the countries. If you chose the Viking option, remember to think about the time frame of Constantine's rule

Example Question #2 : Rulers

Which of these emperors divided Rome into an eastern and western empire?

Possible Answers:

Constantine

Julius Caesar

Diocletian

Marcus Aurelius

Augustus Caesar

Correct answer:

Diocletian

Explanation:

The Crisis of the Third Century had made it abundantly clear to Rome’s ruling class that the size of the empire had grown too unwieldy. The Emperor Diocletian came up with a solution to this problem in 285 CE, when he divided the Roman Empire into an eastern empire and a western empire. The Western Roman Empire would continue for another couple of centuries, whilst the Eastern Roman Empire would persist for more than a thousand years.

Example Question #3 : Rulers

Theodosius I __________.

Possible Answers:

divided the Roman Empire into an eastern half and a western half

made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire

All of these statements about Theodosius I are correct.

was executed on the orders of Attila the Hun

destroyed the Goths in the Gothic Wars

Correct answer:

made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire

Explanation:

Theodosius I is most notable for making Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire. Theodosius was the last emperor to rule both the western and eastern divisions of the Roman Empire.

Example Question #312 : Ancient History: Rome

What factor did not contribute to the fall of Rome?

Possible Answers:

Devastating climate change

Attacks and invasions by Barbarian tribes

Decreasing political effectiveness of the Senate

Decreasing loyalty of the Roman legion

Economic strife due to overspending

Correct answer:

Devastating climate change

Explanation:

The Western Roman empire did not experience devastating climate change. The other answers did contribute to the fall of Rome, indicating the complexity of its decline. It is important to remember that this decline was an extremely slow and drawn out process. Just as there is truth to the saying "Rome was not built in a day", so too did it not fall in a day.

Example Question #2 : Fall Of Rome

The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields was part of the invasion of Roman territory by __________.

Possible Answers:

Theodoric I

Alaric the Visigoth

Odoacer

Attila the Hun

Tamerlane

Correct answer:

Attila the Hun

Explanation:

The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields was fought in the middle of the fifth century, in the midst of the decline of the Western Roman Empire. It was fought between an alliance of Roman and Visigothic soldiers against the forces of Attila the Hun. The battle ended in a stalemate, but can be best understood as part of the decline of Rome. The Roman army was unable to match the range and tactics of Attila, and massive parts of Roman Europe were pillaged.

Example Question #2 : Fall Of Rome

After the Fall of Rome, what did the rulers of the empire focus on to establish themselves as a strong government?

Possible Answers:

Relations with neighboring countries

Colonization of countries in Asia and Africa

Government welfare

Export taxes

Separating from the Church

Correct answer:

Relations with neighboring countries

Explanation:

The correct answer is relationships with neighboring countries because the new government tried to model themselves after Constantinople. If you chose separating from the church, remember that Constantine brought Catholicism into Rome. They were not trying to separate until later in the Roman Empire. If you chose colonizing Asia or Africa, remember that these conquests did not begin until way later as well. Keep time frame in mind while making your choices.  

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