Roman Culture: Life and Legacy

Which manner of speaking had the most influence over the development of local languages in conquered regions?

• the Classic Greek spoken by scholars

• the traditional Latin spoken by patricians

• the modern Greek spoken by Roman magistrates

• the vulgar Latin spoken by Roman soldiers

In ancient Rome, most former slaves became free by

• joining the military

• purchasing their freedom

• being freed by a foreign invader

• rebelling against their owners

Which factor was most important to the increase in Roman infrastructure projects during the Pax Romana?

• the rediscovery of Egyptian architecture

• the use of Greek mathematical ideas

• the new Roman tax system

• the invention of concrete

The Coliseum in ancient Rome was used for

• training soldiers

• holding political rallies

• entertaining the public

• buying and selling slaves

A consistent supply of grain from Egypt helped Roman officials avoid which problem?

• a shortage of farm labor

• a dangerous slave uprising

• political unrest among the city's poor

• budget problems for the government

In Rome, the greatest amount of political power was exercised by

• the plebeians

• wealthy people

• military commanders

• middle-class merchants

The large amount of available slave labor led to which problem in ancient Rome?

• a decrease in tax revenue for the government

• a weakened military and defense system

• increased unemployment for the plebeians

• a lack of food throughout the empire

In ancient Rome, Latin would most likely have been used in which situation?

• a conversation between a husband and a wife in the city of Rome

• a transaction between a Phoenician trader and a Roman patrician

• an argument between a Roman patrician and one of his slaves

• a discussion between a Roman diplomat and a foreign ruler

The Roman alphabet was an adaptation of the alphabet first developed by which ancient people?

• Egyptians

• Hebrews

• Phoenicians

• Sumerians

During times of peace, the Roman military was

• put to work on patricians' farms

• decreased in size to save money

• commanded by elected officials

• used to work on infrastructure projects