Ancient Rome

Based on information presented in the text, which of the following is true?

• The Romans, always feeling themselves superior, created entirely new systems of government rather than looking to the past or to others for inspiration.

• Using the Greeks as examples, the Romans set out to create a government based on the rule of law rather than the desires or wants of men.

• The creators of Roman government hoped to create a system where power rested in the hands of an all-powerful dictator who could actually control the citizens of the state.

• The Twelve Tables were the ceremonial tables around which the Senate met to discuss the needs of the Republic and its people.

Which of the following conditions more directly led to the Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome?

• The Carthaginians attacked the city of Rome and in response, the Romans declared war on Carthage.

• Both Rome and Carthage sought to control the Mediterranean trade routes and the profits that resulted from them.

• The Roman assassination of the Carthaginian leader, Hannibal, triggered a full scale war between the two powers.

• The Punic Wars started as nothing more than a small conflict over control of the overland trade route to China, the Silk Road.

Based on information presented in our readings and/or during class discussions what conclusion can be made about the Punic Wars?

• The Punic Wars left Rome in ruins and allowed Carthage to control the Mediterranean for years to come.

• The wars, left Rome in complete control of Italy, but did nothing to weaken Carthaginian control of North Africa or the Mediterranean Sea.

• The Punic Wars established Rome as the dominant power in the Mediterranean, and laid the foundations for the empire that would come.

• The Punic Wars were short conflicts with little loss of life and therefore of little importance to the development of the Roman state.

Using information presented in our classroom readings, what role did taxation play in Roman expansion?

• Taxes paid the salary of the military, thus enabling the legionnaires to wage war and conquer new lands in the name of the empire.

• As the empire expanded, the roads that connected the newly established cities required construction and maintenance thus increasing the need for tax revenue.

• Roman cities established in newly conquered lands and the roads that connected them increased trade, thereby increasing revenue from taxation.

• Territorial expansion increased the empire’s population, consequently increasing the amount of money collection through taxation.

• all of the above

Which of the following most accurately describes the role of the Twelve Tables in Roman society?

• Much like the Ten Commandments did for Christianity, the Twelve Tables established the religious and spiritual rules by which every Roman should live.

• The Twelve Tables listed and described the rules of conduct and combat that all legionnaires were expected to follow while representing the Roman state.

• The Twelve Tables, much like our constitution, was the legal code for the Roman Republic.

• They were the site of major ceremonies dedicated to the Roman gods.

Which of the following most accurately completes the analogy provided?

The US President : US :: ? : the Roman Empire

• The Senate

• Legionnaires

• The Twelve Tables

• The Emperor

Based on information presented in our text, which of the following most accurately describes Julius Caesar’s attitude toward the Roman Senate before his crossing of the Rubicon?

• “The Roman Senate, as representatives of the Roman people, is critical to the success of Rome and must therefore be left to govern as it sees fit.”

• “As a citizen and soldier of Rome, it is my duty to defend the Senate and to ensure that the Senate’s decisions are respected and followed at all costs.”

• “The Roman Senate, though elected to represent the Roman people, has not fulfilled its duty to the people or the legions of Rome and must therefore be replaced.”

• “The Senate, though far from perfect, must be respected; therefore, I will meet with the senators to find a peaceful and legal way to address the problems that plague Rome.”

Based on information presented in our text, which of the following is true of both the Roman Empire and the Empire of Alexander the Great?

• Both empires sought to make their conquered subjects more like themselves thus ensuring peace and stability within their lands.

• Once they conquered a specific area, both empires – believing that local people could not be trusted – refused to let local leaders or governors have any power.

• Once in power, both Alexander and the leaders of the Roman Empire forced all conquered peoples into slavery.

• Alexander, along with the emperors of Rome closed their empires to foreign trade because they feared that their subjects might be influenced by rebellious ideas.

Which of the following is most true of the “bread and circus” campaigns undertaken by the Roman government?

• The bread and circus campaigns were promoted as a way to reward veteran legionnaires for years of military service.

• The campaigns were intended to distract the poor masses in Rome, thereby discouraging rebellion and discontent within the empire.

• The bread and circus campaigns were charitable efforts created as a means to collect food and money to distribute to the poorer sections of the Roman Empire.

• Bread and circus campaigns were actually used to celebrate important religious holidays on the Roman calendar and were often very formal and respectful in nature.

Why did a group of senators murder Julius Caesar?

• Because he was extremely unpopular with the Roman people.

• Because they wanted to eliminate the Republic and place all power in the hands of a strong monarch.

• To prevent him from threatening the power of the Senate and destroying the Republic.

• Because they wanted his nephew, Augustus, to be the dictator of Rome.