Ancient Rome Quiz

What could a foreign visitor to ancient Rome expect to see in the Forum?

• a track for chariot races

• a central gathering place

• a wealthy country house

• a site of fights with lions

How did people commonly become enslaved in the Roman Empire?

• by having skill at a craft

• by doing poorly in school

• by being captured in a war

• by losing a political election

Why did the Roman emperors give the poor "bread and circuses"?

• so the poor would not rebel

• so the poor could learn to read

• so the poor would not eat meat

• so the poor could make more money

What is one example of the rule of law in the Roman Empire?

• The emperor had to obey the Senate.

• Senators carried an ax to protect themselves.

• The punishments were the same for rich and poor.

• Any Roman could accuse someone of a crime.

Who made the decisions at Roman trials?

• a jury

• a senator

• the victim

• the emperor

Why would a Roman family throw a small cake into the fire?

• They considered burned cakes a treat.

• They did not have enough wood to use as fuel.

• They thought only large cakes were worth eating.

• They were making an offering to the goddess of the hearth.

Why did Rome have many different forms of worship?

• There was an altar in each home.

• The emperors claimed to be gods.

• Foreigners brought their religions.

• Festivals were popular with the poor.

When did a man become a paterfamilias?

• when he got married

• when his own father died

• when he became a grandfather

• when he gave his toys to the gods

The poor often ate food that was

• bought at "fast-food" shops

• prepared by enslaved people

• cooked in their kitchen at home

• from a fancy, expensive market.

Where would one most likely see the foods listed below?

• in a major offering to the gods

• at a poor Roman's breakfast

• at a wealthy Roman's dinner

• in the stands at a chariot race