Ancient History: Rome : The Roman Republic (509-31 BCE)

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #51 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

Marcus Crassus __________.

Possible Answers:

was assassinated on the orders of Octavian

was assassinated on the orders of Julius Caesar

was assassinated on the orders of Pompey the Great

died at the Battle of Carrhae

died at the Battle of Alesia

Correct answer:

died at the Battle of Carrhae

Explanation:

Marcus Crassus first emerged to prominence as a commander in the army of Lucius Sulla. In the political turmoil that followed Sulla’s reforms, Crassus amassed an immense personal fortune and became the wealthiest man in Rome. Crassus would later form the First Triumvirate, with Pompey and Caesar, which collectively governed Rome for ten years before Crassus’ death at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE.

Example Question #52 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

Which of these statements about the Battle of Pharsalus is most accurate?

Possible Answers:

It led to the death of Marcus Crassus and the dissolution of the First Triumvirate

It was the decisive battle in the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey

It led to the death of Mark Antony and allowed Octavian to consolidate power

It was the decisive battle in the Third Punic War

It led to the Roman conquest of Greece and destruction of Corinth

Correct answer:

It was the decisive battle in the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey

Explanation:

The Battle of Pharsalus was fought in 48 BCE, between the forces of the Roman Republic loyal to Pompey the Great and the experienced legions of Julius Caesar. It ended in victory for Julius Caesar and forced Pompey to flee to Egypt, where he was promptly murdered. The Battle of Pharsalus allowed Caesar to consolidate his power in Rome and eventually have himself declared dictator for life.

Example Question #52 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

Marcus Crassus first gained political success by __________.

Possible Answers:

leading the Roman conquest of Gaul

defeating the slave uprising led by Spartacus

leading the Roman conquest of Carthage

defeating the plebeian uprising led by Gaius Gracchus

leading the Roman conquest of the Greek mainland

Correct answer:

defeating the slave uprising led by Spartacus

Explanation:

Marcus Crassus first gained widespread notoriety in the Roman Republic for commanding the forces of Lucius Sulla in the latter’s takeover of the Roman Republic. Crassus later gained political success and fame when he led the Roman army that defeated the slave uprising of Spartacus.

Example Question #53 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

During the Pyrrhic War, who was allied with Rome?

Possible Answers:

Egypt

Carthage

Gaul

Magna Graecia

Phoenicia

Correct answer:

Carthage

Explanation:

The Pyrrhic War was fought between the rapidly growing Roman Republic (supported by Carthage) and the declining power of Magna Graecia. It was one of the most important conflicts in the Roman unification of Italy and contributed to the eventual Roman conquest of the Greek-speaking world.

Example Question #55 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

Spartacus is most famous for __________.

Possible Answers:

leading the Roman invasion of Carthage during the Third Punic War

establishing a colony for freed Roman slaves on the island of Sicily

leading the Roman invasion of Britain and founding the city of London

commanding the naval forces of Octavian at the Battle of Actium

leading a slave uprising during the waning years of the Roman Republic

Correct answer:

leading a slave uprising during the waning years of the Roman Republic

Explanation:

Spartacus was a former gladiator and slave who led a slave uprising during the waning years of the Roman Republic. The so-called Third Servile War was the last of a series of slave uprisings in the Roman Republic. It was also the most successful and for a time, in 72 BCE, it looked like the city of Rome might be threatened itself. The rebellion was eventually crushed by a Roman army led by Marcus Crassus.

Example Question #54 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

The Social War was instrumental in the rise to power of __________.

Possible Answers:

Pompey

Julius Caesar

Mark Antony

Octavian

Lucius Sulla

Correct answer:

Lucius Sulla

Explanation:

The Social War was fought in the early years of the first century BCE, between Rome and an alliance of dissatisfied Italian city-states under Roman control. Lucius Sulla led Roman armies to many successful victories in the Social War, which enabled him to become powerful and popular enough to seize the dictatorship of Rome for himself.

Example Question #57 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

The Battle of Actium was __________.

Possible Answers:

a naval battle fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra

a naval battle fought between the forces of Julius Caesar and the combined forces of Pompey the Great and Marcus Crassus

a land battle fought between the forces of Hannibal and the forces of Scipio Africanus

a land battle fought between the forces of Julius Caesar and the kingdom of the Gauls

a naval battle that brought to an end the First Punic War

Correct answer:

a naval battle fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra

Explanation:

The Battle of Actium was fought in 31 BCE. It was the final battle of the the civil war between Octavian and Mark Antony. It ended in victory for the forces of Octavian (who later had himself crowned Augustus Caesar). It also led to Rome taking control of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.

Example Question #55 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

The Battle of Carrhae was fought between __________.

Possible Answers:

the Roman Empire and the Dacian Empire

the Roman Republic and the Parthian Empire

the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire

the Roman Empire and the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt

the Roman Republic and an alliance of Greek city-states

Correct answer:

the Roman Republic and the Parthian Empire

Explanation:

The Battle of Carrhae was fought in 53 BCE between the forces of the Roman Republic (led by Marcus Crassus) and the forces of the Parthian Empire. The battle ended in defeat for the Roman armies and witnessed the death of Marcus Crassus. Crassus had been one of the members of the First Triumvirate, along with Caesar and Pompey, and the wealthiest man in Rome.

Example Question #56 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

Which of these men is incorrectly paired with his primary rival for power?

Possible Answers:

Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great

Hannibal and Scipio Africanus

Octavian and Mark Antony

Marcus Crassus and Tiberius Gracchus

Lucius Sulla and Gaius Marius

Correct answer:

Marcus Crassus and Tiberius Gracchus

Explanation:

The history of Rome is the history of constant power struggles. For example, Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great; Lucius Sulla and Gaius Marius; Hannibal and Scipio Africanus; Octavian and Mark Antony. However, Marcus Crassus and Tiberius Gracchus were neither rivals for power nor contemporaries. Marcus Crassus formed part of the First Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. Tiberius Gracchus is most well known for his failed attempts at reforming land ownership in the Roman Republic.

Example Question #57 : The Roman Republic (509 31 Bce)

The plebian class, composed of common Roman citizens, were ruled by an elite class of wealthy families called the _________________.

Possible Answers:

consuls

magistrates

praetors

patricians

delegates

Correct answer:

patricians

Explanation:

The patricians exerted political and social dominance over the plebian class for several centuries in Roman history. The plebians would eventually establish their own political offices within the political structure. The other answers are incorrect because they refer to specific Roman political positions fulfilled by individuals, not an entire class of people. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors