The Roman Republic Assessment

Name:

What geographic advantage did Italy have over Greece that helped Rome's development?

• Closer proximity to Africa
• Better natural harbors
• More land suitable for farming
• More mountainous terrain

What was the primary reason Romans overthrew their monarchy in 509 BCE?

• They wanted to copy Greek democracy exactly
• They were unhappy with the harsh rule of their king
• They needed a stronger military system
• The Etruscans forced them to change governments

How did the Roman concept of separation of powers prevent any one person from becoming too powerful?

• By dividing power among assemblies, senate, and magistrates
• By requiring all decisions to be unanimous
• By rotating leadership between patricians and plebeians
• By limiting terms of office to one year

What was the most significant difference between patricians and plebeians in early Roman society?

• Patricians lived in cities while plebeians lived in rural areas
• Patricians were upper class leaders while plebeians were common people
• Patricians were foreign-born while plebeians were native Romans
• Patricians served in the military while plebeians worked farms

Why did the Roman Senate function like an oligarchy rather than a democracy?

• It was controlled by foreign advisors
• It was made up of the wealthiest and best-known older Roman men
• It represented equal numbers from each social class
• It only included former military generals

What power did plebeian tribunes gain that helped balance patrician control?

• The authority to appoint magistrates
• The ability to collect taxes
• The right to command armies
• The power to veto laws passed by the Senate

What was the primary purpose of the Twelve Tables in Roman society?

• To establish trade agreements with other cities
• To list the duties of government officials
• To ensure all citizens were treated equally under the law
• To record military victories and conquests

What was Hannibal's most innovative military strategy during the Second Punic War?

• Using a powerful navy to attack Roman ports
• Crossing the Alps with elephants to surprise attack from the north
• Building underground tunnels to enter Rome
• Forming alliances with all of Rome's enemies

What Roman naval innovation helped them defeat the superior Carthaginian fleet?

• Catapults that could launch from greater distances
• Faster ships with better sails
• The corvus, a movable bridge for hand-to-hand combat
• Underwater breathing equipment for divers