Ancient Rome

Why was the Law of Twelve Tables an important step?

• Rome had no laws before that time
• they gave plebeians citizenship for the first time
• they made laws public for all citizens to read
• they gave plebeians more rights than patricians

When the last Tarquinian (Etruscan) king was overthrown by the Romans, which type of government did they establish?

• monarchy
• republic
• democracy
• theocracy

In times of crisis, what did the Roman Republic do differently?

• They elected new Senate members who took full control of the government.
• They allowed the army to run the country.
• They selected a dictator to rule with absolute power for a short time.
• They elected a king to permanently take control.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the reasons that the plebeians demanded reforms in the republican government?

• Plebeians could take no part in the Roman government.
• They were slaves with no rights at all.
• The patricians couldn’t hold public office.
• The patricians shared wealth with only a few upper class plebeians.

Which best describes the purpose of a system of “checks and balances”?

• All merchants will have an equal opportunity to trade.
• Laws will be written fairly for everyone.
• The military will be paid for their service.
• No one branch of the government will become stronger than another.

In the early years of the Republic, who did the real power belonged to?

• the Roman king
• the patricians
• the plebeians
• the generals

The common people (NOT nobles) in Roman society were called -

• patricians
• plebeians
• senators
• consuls

A ruler who has almost total power and was brought in to rule the city in times of crisis was called -

• magistrate
• veto
• dictator
• plebeian

The nobles (rich powerful people) in Roman society were called -

• Latins
• tribunes
• plebeians
• patricians

Which of the following is a similarity between the United States government and the Roman Republic?

• The U.S. government is divided into three branches with checks and balances.
• Both governments use of a dictator in times of crisis.
• Members of the senate rule for life.
• The two most powerful people of the government are called consuls.