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Constantine, Christianity and the third century crisis

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What kicked off the third century crisis?

a)

The Assassination of the Emperor Severus Alexander

b)

The Problems with the Economy

c)

The Spread of Christianity

d)

The Punic Wars

2.

The third century CE had many problems in the Roman Empire. They included:

a)

Economic problems

b)

Inflation

c)

Too much expansion

d)

Too many invasions on both sides

e)

All of the above

3.

What does inflation mean?

a)

Too much expansion

b)

The low value of money compared to the high prices of trading goods

c)

The high value of money compared to the low prices of trading goods

4.

Give one example of an Emperor who tried to help the problems that were happening during the Third Century Crisis?

a)

Valens

b)

Aurelian

c)

Constantine

d)

Augustus

5.

How long did the Emperor Diocletian rule for?

a)

From 284-305 CE

b)

From 117-125 CE

c)

From 64-78 CE

6.

Diocletian's solution to the problems that were happening during this period was to split the Empire into two. To do this he selected three others to help him rule. Who were these men, and where did they control?

a)

In the Western Empire: Constantius (Germany) and Maximian (Italy) and in the Eastern Empire: Galerius (Greece) and Diocletian (Asia Minor)

b)

In the Western Empire: Constantius (Germany) and Galerius (Italy) and in the Eastern Empire: Maximian (Greece) and Diocletian (Asia Minor)

c)

In the Western Empire: Diocletian (Italy) and Constantius (Germany) and in the Eastern Empire: Maximian (Greece) and Galerius (Asia Minor)

7.

What was the period of the four co-rulers of the Empire called?

a)

The Tetrarchy

b)

The Triumvirate

8.

Who was alleged to have crucified Jesus Christ?

a)

Pontius Pilate

b)

Scipio Africanus

c)

Caligula

d)

Constantine

9.

Why did the Romans persecute the Christians?

a)

Because they didn't like Christians

b)

Because they were worried about the religion taking over their religion

c)

Because they were worried that no one would join their own religion

10.

A most famous example about the persecution and execution of the Christians was after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE. What did Nero do to the captured Christians?

a)

He gave them a holiday to Cyprus

b)

He executed them in the fire

c)

He threw them to the lions

d)

He dressed them in animal skins and set dogs to eat them

11.

How old was Constantine when he was under the protection and teachings of the Emperor Diocletian?

a)

25

b)

11

c)

17

12.

Why was Diocletian worried about Christianity?

a)

He didn't like Christians

b)

He was worried that the faith could destroy the Empire

c)

He didn't want to have to learn about another God.

13.

In 303 CE, Diocletian issued an edict against the Christians. What was the edict called?

a)

The Maximum Prices

b)

The Great Persecution

c)

The Pax Romana

14.

What was the name of Constantine's father?

a)

Diocletian

b)

Cicero

c)

Constantius

d)

Julius Caesar

15.

In 305 CE, Constantine joined his father Constantius to campaign against the Picts in what country?

a)

Britain

b)

Germany

c)

France

d)

Italy

16.

What year did Constantius die?

a)

305 CE

b)

312 CE

c)

303 CE

d)

347 CE

17.

After defeating the invading Franks, Constantine took his captives to Trier. Why did he parade them through the town?

a)

To show his power as an Emperor

b)

To show his people that he could protect them

c)

To show that he was a good military commander

d)

Because he could...

18.

In 306 CE, a new player entered the Roman Empire. He murdered the rightful Caesar and took control of Rome. What was his name?

a)

Maxentius

b)

Maximian

c)

Constantius

d)

Claudius

19.

Why was Maxentius not popular with the Romans?

a)

Because he taxed them heavily but ignored the rich people

b)

Because he had murdered the rightful ruler

c)

Because he worshipped many gods and goddesses

20.

What was the motive behind why Constantine wanted to get rid of Maxentius?

a)

Because he wanted to be the only Emperor

b)

Because he wanted to get rid of a tyrant

c)

Because he wanted Christianity to be the only religion

21.

On the eve of battle against Maxentius, Constantine was worried about the battle. He didn't have many soldiers compared to the enemy, so he prayed to the gods for help. There he had a vision. It said: "With this symbol, you will conquer by this sign." What was the vision?

a)

He saw a beam of light in the sky. It was shaped like a cross.

b)

He saw a spark of fire in the shape of an eagle.

c)

He saw a cloud shaped like a sunflower

d)

He saw a rainbow and a pot of gold.

22.

In a revolutionary act, he ordered his soldiers to put what symbol onto their shields?

a)

The Cross

b)

The Eagle

c)

A Rainbow

d)

A snowflake

23.

Constantine and Maxentius met in battle across the river Tiber, Rome. There Constantine achieved a big victory and became the sole Emperor of the Roman Empire. What was the battle called?

a)

The Battle of Actium

b)

The Punic Wars

c)

The Alexandrian Wars

d)

The Macedonian Wars

e)

The Battle of Milvian Bridge

24.

In 312 CE Constantine converted to Christianity. He welcomed the worshipping of Christianity as the official Roman religion. This became one of the most important events in world history. Why was this a turning point in world history?

a)

Because it helped to spread the religion across the world.

b)

Because the Romans had to accept Christianity as the official religion

c)

Because it helped to spread art and architecture across the empire.

25.

Why did Constantine move the capital from Rome to Constantinople?

a)

Because it was easier to fight off threats from the East

b)

Because he liked the eastern part of the Empire better

c)

Because they had better building materials in the Eastern Empire

d)

Because art could spread more easily in the Eastern Empire