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 #61 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

The Marcomannic Wars were fought during the reign of __________.

Possible Answers:

Antoninus Pius

Vespasian

Augustus Caesar

Marcus Aurelius

Diocletian

Correct answer:

Marcus Aurelius

Explanation:

The Marcomannic Wars were fought during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, from 167 to 180 CE. Victory in the Marcomannic Wars allowed Rome to expand its territory and sphere of influence further into northern and eastern Europe.

Example Question #62 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was part of __________.

Possible Answers:

the Civil War of the Second Triumvirate

the Gallic Wars

the Punic Wars

the Roman conquest of Dacia

the Civil War of the Tetrarchy

Correct answer:

the Civil War of the Tetrarchy

Explanation:

The Battle of Milvian Bridge was fought in 312 CE between the forces of Constantine and the forces of his rival for political power, Maxentius. It was part of the Civil War of the Tetrarchy. Victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge allowed Constantine to consolidate his power and ended the rule of the Tetrarchy.

Example Question #63 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

Which of these statements about Claudius is accurate?

Possible Answers:

He led the initial successful Roman conquest of Britain.

He was one of the “Five Good Emperors.”

None of these statements about Claudius are accurate.

His reign marks the beginning of the Pax Romana.

His reign marks the end of the Pax Romana.

Correct answer:

He led the initial successful Roman conquest of Britain.

Explanation:

Claudius was the fourth Emperor of Rome. He became emperor following the assassination of Caligula. Claudius was an able administrator and an enthusiastic lawmaker. One of his most notable accomplishments includes leading the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 CE.

Example Question #64 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

Trajan’s Column commemorates Trajan’s __________.

Possible Answers:

conquest of the Parthian Empire

victory in the Dacian Wars

conquest of the British Isles

canonization

ascension to the title of Emperor

Correct answer:

victory in the Dacian Wars

Explanation:

Trajan’s Column was built to commemorate the Emperor Trajan’s conquest of Dacia in 106 CE. Dacia had been an independent kingdom (located to the north of Greece) during the early years of the Roman Empire. The barbarian people living in Dacia, however, routinely invaded Roman territory to the south and west, and so they became a target for Roman expansion.

Example Question #65 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

Vespasian rose to preeminence in Rome __________.

Possible Answers:

after he defeated the invading armies of the Ostrogoths

through rampant land speculation and lucrative trading ventures

by enacting a series of political reforms that won the support of the common people

after he led the Roman armies during the Gallic Wars

through the suppression of the Judean rebellion

Correct answer:

through the suppression of the Judean rebellion

Explanation:

Vespasian was the last of four emperors who ruled during the Year of Four Emperors, following the death of Emperor Nero. Vespasian rose to power in Rome, after leading the suppression of the Judean rebellion in 69 CE. He seized power that same year and ruled as the ninth Roman Emperor until 79 CE.

Example Question #66 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

In Roman society, the paterfamilia was _________________.

Possible Answers:

a high-ranking military officer

a prominent member of the plebian class

the leading member of the Senate

the head of a family

a consul

Correct answer:

the head of a family

Explanation:

The paterfamilia was the head of a Roman family. Looking at the roots of the word: pater (father) and familia (family), it becomes clear that the father of a household held this position. The other answers refer to Roman political and military structure.

Example Question #67 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

Emperor Constantine moved the capitol of the Roman Empire from Rome to which other city?

Possible Answers:

Constantinople

Milan

Budapest

Gaul

Baghdad

Correct answer:

Constantinople

Explanation:

While Constantine did in face craft the Edict of Milan he never moved the seat of government there, so that city would not be a good choice. Gaul was the Roman province containing modern-day France, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, not a city at all, so it would not be a good choice. Budapest while occupied by the Romans for a time, was never their seat of government, so that would not be a good choice. Baghdad, while an ancient city in its own right, was never a Roman governmental seat either, so it too would not be a good choice. Lastly, Istanbul was renamed Constantinople after Constantine the Great moved the seat of the Roman Empire there, so Constantinople would the best choice.

Example Question #68 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

In the Roman Empire, proconsuls were __________.

Possible Answers:

senators

governors

gladiators

servants

judges

Correct answer:

governors

Explanation:

Proconsuls, in the Roman Empire (and also the Roman Republic) were effectively governors. They were rulers chosen to administer a certain province within the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar was notably the proconsul of Gaul after he conquered this territory in the Gallic Wars.

Example Question #69 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

Claudius came to power in Rome __________.

Possible Answers:

through a popular referendum

after the murder of Julius Caesar

after leading the conquest of Britain

after the assassination of Caligula

after marching his army into the city of Rome and seizing authority

Correct answer:

after the assassination of Caligula

Explanation:

Claudius came to power in Rome after the assassination of Caligula. Claudius was declared emperor by the praetorian guard in the wake of Caligula’s death. Claudius’ reign is very controversial. Many ancient sources suggest that Claudius was a brutal tyrant, but it is unclear whether this was accurate or slanderous propaganda.

Example Question #62 : The Early Roman Empire (31 Bce 284 Ce)

The Marian Reforms indirectly __________.

Possible Answers:

hindered the Roman conquest of Gaul

contributed to the decline of the Roman Republic

led to the First Punic War

led to the Third Punic War

caused widespread famine in the Roman Republic

Correct answer:

contributed to the decline of the Roman Republic

Explanation:

The Marian Reforms were enacted in 107 BCE, during the first consulship of Gaius Marius. The Marian Reforms created a professional standing army and allowed landless peasants to join the army, and even provided them with a consistent wage. The Marian Reforms greatly improved the fighting capacity of the Roman Republic, but had several other consequences. Most notably, the Marian Reforms made it so that armies were loyal to the generals who directed them, rather than to the Republic itself. This contributed directly to the decline of the Roman Republic and the rising power of Roman generals (like Julius Caesar).

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