Ancient History: Rome : The Early Roman Empire (31 BCE- 284 CE)

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : The Great Fire Of Rome

During the reign of Titus, __________.

Possible Answers:

the Roman Forum was destroyed by a mob

Attila the Hun invaded the Roman Empire

a great fire destroyed much of the city of Rome

there was a massive slave uprising in Roman Greece and Egypt

the Ostrogoths sacked the city of Rome

Correct answer:

a great fire destroyed much of the city of Rome

Explanation:

Titus was the second emperor of the Flavian Dynasty. Although he ruled briefly, from 79 to 81 CE, his rule is important because it coincided with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and a terrible fire in Rome. Titus was remembered fondly by the Romans for leading the disaster relief campaign in the wake of these two catastrophes.

Example Question #1 : The Great Fire Of Rome

After the Fire of Rome, what religious group did Nero blame for the fires?

Possible Answers:

the Christians

the Jewish 

the Ottoman Muslims

the Protestants

the Atheists

Correct answer:

the Christians

Explanation:

Nero blamed the fire on the Christians. This initiated the persecution of the Christians under his reign. This question is tricky because your first instinct is to choose the Ottomans. Remember that the Ottomans didn't invade under Nero's rule. We can also rule out the Atheists and the Jewish options, because these were not prevalent in the Roman empire at the time. 

Example Question #1 : The Flavian Dynasty

Who was the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty?

Possible Answers:

Vespasian

Titus

Domitian

None of these; the Flavian Dynasty ruled through the senate and did not have emperors.

Correct answer:

Vespasian

Explanation:

Vespasian was the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty; he took power in 69 CE and ruled until his death in 79 CE. Titus was Vespasian's eldest son and succeeded Vespasian after his death, ruling for just two years before his death from an unknown illness.

Example Question #1 : The Flavian Dynasty

Which of the following natural disasters struck the Empire during the rule of Titus (79-81 CE)?

Possible Answers:

A major fire in Rome

All of these

A significant plague

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

All three of these natural disasters befell the Roman Empire in extremely short order in Titus first year of rule (79 CE). The devastation wrought on Pompeii and surrounding regions following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius was immediately followed by a large, devastating fire in Rome and a plague in the aftermath of the fire.

Example Question #2 : The Flavian Dynasty

Rule of Rome by the Flavian Dynasty began in 69 CE, the Year of the Four Emperors, when ______________ took control.

Possible Answers:

Galba

Otho

Vitellius

Vespasian

Nero

Correct answer:

Vespasian

Explanation:

Vespasian's rule marked the beginning of the Flavian dynasty, at the end of a year during which three other emperors previously ruled (Galba, Otho, and Vitellius). Before them, Nero had been emperor. As such, the other answers are incorrect.

Example Question #1 : The Flavian Dynasty

In addition to Pompeii, which Roman city was destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE?

Possible Answers:

Vercelli

Genoa

Herculaneum

Ricina

Padria

Correct answer:

Herculaneum

Explanation:

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE, destroyed the two Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, burying the two cities underneath dozens of feet of ash and killing thousands of people.

It remains as one of the most deadly volcanic eruptions in world history.

Example Question #4 : The Flavian Dynasty

The Roman Coliseum was built during the reign of __________.

Possible Answers:

Augustus Caesar

Vespasian

Trajan

Hadrian

Marcus Aurelius

Correct answer:

Vespasian

Explanation:

The Roman Coliseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheatre, was built during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was finally completed shortly after Vespasian died (during the reign of Emperor Titus, Vespasian’s son). The Coliseum was used to stage gladiatorial battles and other public exhibitions.

Example Question #5 : The Flavian Dynasty

What is the name of the war that ended the Julio-Claudian Dynasty?

Possible Answers:

The Crisis of the 3rd Century

The Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy

Year of the Four Emperors 

Caesar's Civil War

The Marian-Sullan Civil Wars

Correct answer:

Year of the Four Emperors 

Explanation:

The key to this question is the transition from the Julio-Claudian dynasty into the Flavian dynasty. As power shifted from the senate/militia into imperial power, four main emperors fought this war to gain ownership of the throne. Caesar ruled the dynasty before, the Marian Sullan war represents the first civil war in Roman history, and the other three options were fought in the common era- long after the Julio Claudian dynasty ended

Example Question #6 : The Flavian Dynasty

Which of these rulers were members of the Flavian Dynasty?

I. Vespasian

II. Tiberius

III. Caligula

IV. Domitian

V. Titus

 

Possible Answers:

I, II, IV, and V

II, III, and V

I, II, and III

I, IV, and V

II, III, IV, and V

Correct answer:

I, IV, and V

Explanation:

The Flavian Dynasty ruled from 69 CE to 96 CE. It began with the rule of Vespasian, who took power during the turbulent period known as the Year of Four Emperors. Vespasian was succeeded by his son Titus, who ruled for two years, before himself being succeeded by Domitian. Domitian ruled for fifteen years before he was assassinated on the orders of the Senate.

Example Question #7 : The Flavian Dynasty

The fall of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty led to the __________.

Possible Answers:

Year of the Five Emperors

rise of the Flavian Dynasty

Crisis of the Third Century

rise of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Year of the Four Emperors

Correct answer:

Year of the Five Emperors

Explanation:

The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty ruled the Roman Empire from 96 to 192 CE. After the fall of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, the Roman Empire entered into a turbulent period known as the Year of the Five Emperors. This civil war was eventually ended when Septimius Severus took power and founded the Severan Dynasty.

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