Ancient History: Rome : The Roman Kingdom (753- 510 BCE)

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Ancient History: Rome

Romulus was _____________.

Possible Answers:

None of these

the legendary founder of Rome

the twin brother of Remus, the legendary founder of Rome

the main, Zeus-like deity of early Roman religion

Correct answer:

the legendary founder of Rome

Explanation:

Romulus was the legendary founder of Rome. Romulus and Remus were, indeed brothers, but Romulus killed Remus prior to founding Rome.

Example Question #1 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

Romulus and Remus are central characters in __________.

Possible Answers:

the story of the foundation of Rome

the Roman myth of creation

the Trojan War

the First Punic War

the establishment of the Roman Republic

Correct answer:

the story of the foundation of Rome

Explanation:

Romulus and Remus are central characters in the legendary story of the foundation of Rome. According to Roman tradition, Romulus and Remus were abandoned as boys and raised by a she-wolf. When they became adults, they decided to found a city, but could not agree as to where. The resulting quarrel ended in Remus’ death. Romulus subsequently founded the city of Rome on the sight of the Palatine Hill.

Example Question #2 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

Which of these best describes Latium?

Possible Answers:

The protolanguage from which Latin evolved.

The people who first settled on the Italian peninsula more than twenty thousand years ago.

The region of southern Italy where the Roman language first emerged.

The mountain range that runs through central Italy and protects the city of Rome from invasion.

The region of central Italy where the city of Rome was founded.

Correct answer:

The region of central Italy where the city of Rome was founded.

Explanation:

Latium is a region of central Italy. It is where the city of Rome was founded in antiquity and thus grew to be the seat of the sprawling Roman Empire.

Example Question #3 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

According to legend, Rome was founded on __________.

Possible Answers:

seven hills

a marble quarry

marshland

the mouth of the underworld

a river of gold

Correct answer:

seven hills

Explanation:

According to legend, Rome was founded on seven hills. Roman tradition stated that Romulus founded the initial city of Rome on the central Palatine Hill and that this settlement gradually joined with the settlements on six neighboring hills to form the larger city of Rome.

Example Question #4 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

Although Roman myth states that Rome was founded by refugees fleeing the Trojan War, it was most likely founded by the __________.

Possible Answers:

Iberian people

Gallic people

Latin and Etruscan people

Greek and Phoenician people

Dacian people

Correct answer:

Latin and Etruscan people

Explanation:

Roman myth generally stated that Rome was founded either by refugees fleeing the Trojan War, or else was founded by two brothers Romulus and Remus. The city of Rome , however, was most likely founded by Latin and Etruscan people who lived in the area around Rome throughout antiquity.

Example Question #5 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

This mountain range in northern Italy serves as a barrier between Roman territory and “barbarian” lands?

Possible Answers:

Alps

Urals

Pyrenees

Apennines

Andes

Correct answer:

Alps

Explanation:

The Alps mountain range runs through central-southern Europe and separates the Italian peninsula from the rest of the continent. In the early years of the Roman Republic, the Alps served as a natural barrier that prevented barbarian invasion.

Example Question #6 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

What is the name of the river that runs through Rome?

Possible Answers:

the Thames

the Danube

the Tiber

the Rhine

the Rhone

Correct answer:

the Tiber

Explanation:

The Tiber is the name of the river that runs through Rome. The original city of Rome was built to the east of the Tiber River, but the city eventually grew so that the Tiber runs through the city.

Example Question #7 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

Tarquinius Superbus __________.

Possible Answers:

was the last king of Rome

enacted a series of land reforms that greatly destabilized power in Rome

was the legendary founder of the city of Rome

created the first legal code in the history of the Roman people

led the rebellion that resulted in the birth of the Roman Republic

Correct answer:

was the last king of Rome

Explanation:

Tarquinius Superbus was the last of seven kings of Rome during the period of time when Rome was ruled by a monarchy. He is a somewhat legendary figure as historical evidence from his time period is scant.

Example Question #5 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

The Roman monarchy was __________.

Possible Answers:

awarded to the most powerful general on the death of the previous king

ruled by multiple kings at the same time

always a hereditary position

initially an elected position, before becoming hereditary

always an elected position

Correct answer:

initially an elected position, before becoming hereditary

Explanation:

The Roman monarchy was initially an elected position, before later becoming a hereditary position. In the early years of the Roman Kingdom, once a king died, the Senate was convened to choose a new king. Through a lengthy process, the king would be approved by the people, the Gods, and the Senate once more, before imperium (or, “the right to rule”) was conferred upon him. During the latter years of the Roman Kingdom, the position became hereditary and was passed down the line of succession by the Tarquin Monarchy.

Example Question #8 : The Roman Kingdom (753 510 Bce)

The Carthaginian Empire is believed to have been founded __________.

Possible Answers:

as an Athenian colony

as a Phoenician settlement

as a Spartan colony

by refugees fleeing the Trojan War

by refugees fleeing the conquests of Alexander the Great

Correct answer:

as a Phoenician settlement

Explanation:

The Carthaginian Empire, at one time the largest empire in the Mediterranean, is believed to have been founded as a Phoenician settlement around the eighth century BCE. The Phoenicians were a seafaring, mercantile people who established colonies all over the Mediterranean in the centuries before the rise of the Roman Republic.

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