Ancient History: Rome : The Flavian Dynasty

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

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : The Flavian Dynasty

Who was the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty?

Possible Answers:

Titus

Domitian

Vespasian

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:

All of these

The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius

A major fire in Rome

A significant plague

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:

Vespasian

Nero

Galba

Otho

Vitellius

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 #3 : The Flavian Dynasty

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

Possible Answers:

Ricina

Vercelli

Padria

Herculaneum

Genoa

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:

Trajan

Hadrian

Augustus Caesar

Vespasian

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:

Year of the Four Emperors 

The Marian-Sullan Civil Wars

Caesar's Civil War

The Civil Wars of the Tetrarchy

The Crisis of the 3rd Century

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, and III

I, II, IV, and V

II, III, IV, and V

I, IV, and V

II, III, 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 Four Emperors

Year of the Five Emperors

rise of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty

rise of the Flavian Dynasty

Crisis of the Third Century

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.

Example Question #5 : The Flavian Dynasty

Which of these events did not take place during the Flavian Dynasty?

Possible Answers:

the Coliseum was constructed

Roman conquest of Dacia

the assassination of Domitian

A great fire destroyed much of the city of Rome.

the eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Correct answer:

Roman conquest of Dacia

Explanation:

The Flavian Dynasty was a short lived, but influential ruling dynasty in Roman history. The first Flavian ruler, Vespasian, came to power in 69 CE, bringing to an end the turbulent period known as the Year of Four Emperors. The Roman Coliseum (also called the Flavian Amphitheatre) was built during the reign of Vespasian and his successor Titus. During the reign of Titus, a great fire destroyed large parts of Rome and a devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius obliterated the city of Pompeii. The assassination of Domitian (the third and final Flavian Emperor) took place in 96 CE and brought to an end the rule of the Flavian Dynasty. Although the Flavian Emperors tried to conquer Dacia, this would not be completed until the reign of Trajan.

Example Question #8 : The Flavian Dynasty

The Flavian Dynasty was succeeded by the __________ Dynasty?

Possible Answers:

Plantagenet

Julio-Claudian

Severan

Ptolemaic

Nerva-Antonine

Correct answer:

Nerva-Antonine

Explanation:

The Flavian Dynasty, which ruled from 69 to 96 CE, was succeeded by the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty begins with the reign of Nerva and ends with the reign of Commodus. The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty included the period of prosperity in the Roman Empire known as the rule of the Five Good Emperors.  

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