Rome Questions
All class and homework questions.
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- Who did Mark Antony marry and why? How did this complicate the situation?
- -Mark Antony married Octavian's sister, Octavia, because of political reasons. This made it harder because he had three children with Cleopatra.
- 34. How were Roman historians different from Greek historians?
- -Roman Historians wrote about the rise and fall of Roman power. Their stories were about Augustus, Horatius, and Cincinnatus. Instead of using facts and logic like the Greeks, the Romans tried to make Rome's history look just as great as that of Greece.
- 59. Why are the events at Actium shadowed in mystery?
- -The events are shadowed because we do not know if Cleopatra and Antony had planned to flee. Cleopatra had had all of her possessions with her when she fled, and it is suspicious that Antony, who was known to be so brave, followed her.
- 16. What is imperialism and how did the Romans exercise imperialism?
- -Imperialism is establishing control over foreign lands and people. Rome exercised this by extending their empire to Egypt. While fighting Carthage, Rome expanded their empire into the Hellenistic areas of the world.
- 41. How did Christianity spread and why was it so appealing to so many people?
- -Christianity was spread through the life of Jesus and his followers. Jesus was the son of god and our savior, according to Christianity. The idea was appealing because it offered life after death. It also offered equality for men and women.
- 24. Were all emperors as successful as Augustus? Explain.
- -No. Many were weak, and some were even evil. Two of the worst rulers were Caligula, and Nero. Caligula appointed a horse as consul, and Nero persecuted Christians, and was blamed for setting a great fire that destroyed a lot of Rome. Some other emperors after them were better, but none were as great as Augustus.
- 61. How and why did Cleopatra die?
- -Cleopatra knew that she was going to be humiliated by Octavian, so she killed herself by being bitten by a snake.
- 21. Is Julius Caesar a hero or a villain?
- -He was a hero in a way because he expanded the empire so much. He could be a villain because he took control of Rome when it wasn't his right.
- 38. What elements of Roman law are present in America today?
- -Like the Romans, we now use the idea of a fair trial. Accused criminals have a right to offer defense. Clear evidence must also be presented. The judge and jury is expected to make fair decisions while respecting the laws.
- 52. Why did Caesar fall in love with Cleopatra?
- -Caesar fell in love with Cleopatra because they both had brilliant minds. She was a charming and inquisitive girl.
- 9. What was education like in Rome?
- -Boys and girls both were taught to read and write, and sometimes private tutors were hired. Boys who were thinking about Politics had to learn Rhetoric. Richer people hired private tutors.
- 50. What was Alexandria like during the reign of Cleopatra?
- -Alexandra was beautiful city where many new discoveries took place.
- 33. How was satire used in Roman literature? Why?
- -Poets like Horace, Juvenal, and Martial wrote satires. These poems were used to make fun of human flaws and Roman society. Some were harsher then others.
- How and why did Mark Antony die?
- -Mark Antony killed himself because someone told him that Cleopatra was dead, even though she was not. He stabbed himself with his sword, but it did not kill him. He was taken to the captured Cleopatra, and he died in her burial tomb.
- 62. What did Cleopatra's death do to Egypt?
- -Egypt no longer ruled itself.
- 51. Why did Cleopatra have to fight for the right to rule and how did Caesar help her gain power?
- -Cleopatra had to fight for the right to rule because her brother, Ptolemy also wanted to rule. Caesar helped her gain power by defeating Ptolemy's army.
- 14. What happened in the Punic Wars?
- -Carthage conquered Sicily, and kept getting closer to Rome. Rome defeated Carthage. Carthage sailed over to attack again, and Rome met them in the ocean, where they defeated Carthage again. Rome continues to sail to Carthage and makes a deal with the citizens. Carthage made their way to Rome to get revenge again, conquering everything on the way. While the whole army is on the journey to Rome, Rome sails to Carthage and conquers them, ending the wars.
- How was the Roman republic set up? How does it compare to the US government today?
- -The early republic in Rome the most powerful part of the government was made up of Patricians, who were part of the landholding upper-class. Senators elected two consuls from this class each year to supervise the business of the government and the army. Sometimes the senate would choose a temporary dictator in times of war.
- 46. How did the Huns and other invaders contribute to the fall of Rome and why was the Roman army, once known for greatness, unable to stop them?
- -The Huns impacted the fall of Rome by driving so many people into the empire. The Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and other Germanic people all tried to get to safety by going to Rome. The legions that guarded outside the empire were pressured trying to keep so many people out. Rome surrendered piece by piece to other attacking empires such as Britain, France, and Spain. The Huns continued to send more fleeing people into the Roman empire, weakening and pressuring the army and emperor. A Germanic leader Odoacer, finally defeated the Roman emperor.
- 8. What roles did men and women have?
- -Each family was led by a male, usually the father. An ideal wife for him was loving, dutiful, dignified, and strong. Women usually worked at home, but not always. They gained more freedom over the course of time.
- 19. Who is Julius Caesar and how did he become powerful?
- -Julius Caesar was a powerful military commander. He conquered many areas, including the area which is now France. Pompey, another military leader, assisted him. Pompey began to fear Caesar's rising power, and told the senate to make him come home. Caesar did not listen, and continued to make his way to Rome. He became so powerful, that he forced the senate to make him dictator.
- 54. What happened on March 15? Include the roles played by Caesar's wife, Brutus and Cassius.
- -On march 15th, Caesar's wife had a dream that Caesar would be assassinated. She begged her husband to stay in the house, but he did not listen. The senate lowered him in by telling him he would be crowned head of all the provinces. Brutus and Cassius, men who had rallied other senators to go against Caesar, murdered him when he walked into the senate.
- 35. Describe Roman art.
- -Roman art was also based on Greek and Etruscan models. They used realism like Greece, but gave the statues character by changing their facial expressions to show more about the figure. Regular Roman citizens also decorated their own houses with Art. Artists used Frescoes and Mosaics to show scenes from Roman literature.
- 12. How did Rome treat conquered people and maintain peace throughout the land?
- -They let their conquered people maintain their same beliefs and small forms of government, and were given part citizenship. Some people were granted full citizenship.
- 44. How did later emperors attempt to fix the problems of Rome? What effect did these changes have?
- -Diocletian was the first emperor to try and fix the empire. He divided in to two parts to make the people easier to rule. He kept the wealthier part for himself and had a co-emperor rule the rest. He fixed the economy by setting prices for everyday goods to prevent inflation. Constantine followed Diocletian, and he continued to fix the empire by showing toleration towards Christians. He also built a new capital. Although these emperors were great, they were only able to keep Rome alive for the next century or so, and could not stop the decline that had been going on for so long.
- 55. What was the triumvirate?
- -The triumvirate was a group of three people who ruled over different parts of the Roman Empire. They were Mark Antony, Octavian, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Antony controlled the east empire, Octavian controlled the west, and Lepidus controlled Africa.
- 28. Who were the Army Emperors and how did they rule Rome?
- Nero's death plunges Rome into a period of civil war. Period of uncertainty, rulers were supported by the army and fought for power. People are not sure about the idea of hereditary rule. There are four emperors during this one year time.
- 42. Explain the structure of the Church. Include the following terms: bishop, patriarch, diocese, pope, apostle, and hierarchy.
- -For a long time, bishop was one of the highest ranks in the church. Bishops were considered successors of the apostles. A bishop controlled an area of Christians called a Diocese. As time passed, certain bishops gained the title of Patriarch, and they were considered more powerful then the other bishops. The church was then formed into a hierarchy, consisting of officials arranged by rank. The highest position was the pope, or bishop of Rome.
- 17. What effects did building an empire and the policy of imperialism have on Rome?
- -Rome started to decline after building their empire so large. Slaves made work much harder for farmers, causing large quantities of unemployed people, who formed riots. The soldiers began to lose their loyalty because Rome was no longer fighting for their country, they were fighting for power. As a result, several riots broke out and many people were killed including Tiberius and Gaius.
- 20. How and why was Caesar assassinated?
- -Caesar was assassinated by his enemies, because they feared he would make himself the king of Rome. In 44 BC, they stabbed him to death when he entered the senate.
- 23. What kind of government did Augustus establish? What was it like?
- -He sets up a civil service system. He also establishes a census, to make sure the taxes are fair, and a postal system. He also redistributes land. He set a precedent, to make sure the government is ruled by whoever is best for the job.
- 40. How did the Roman treatment of the people of Judea influence their actions and beliefs?
- -The Romans graciously excused Jews from becoming Polytheistic, however many Jews liked the idea of Roman religions. Many Jews become worried that their religion was weakening, so many promoted strict obedience to old traditions. When the Jews revolted, Romans quieted them. Many were killed and left Judea, but Jewish rabbis practiced the religion, and kept it alive.
- What different religions existed in early Rome and what was Rome's policy toward them?
- -Many religions existed in early Rome, such as Christianity, the cult of Isis, Mithraism, and many people who still worshipped the twelve gods on mount Olympus. Rome showed toleration toward other religions. Their only policies were that the people worship the Roman gods and the emperor, but besides that they could worship other gods freely.
- 2. Who were Romulus and Remus and what is their story?
- -when they were born, their mom (Silvia) was a princess. Their father was Mars (a god). Her brother ordered the twins to be thrown into the Tiber because he wanted the throne. When he threw the crib in, the twins floated down the river, until a wolf found them. The wolf raised them for a while, but one day a shepherd walks by, and notices that the boys live with wolfs. He adopted the children, because he and his wife had no kids. They raised them to act more like humans than wolfs. The twins do many good things and tons of people hear about them. Their grandfather hears the news and finds the twins, and tells them their story. The twins gather an army to overthrow their uncle. They rescue their mother and help their grandfather take his right place as king. To celebrate the victory, they decide to build a city. Remus designed the temples and baths, and Romulus did the streets and houses. They both however, wanted the city to be named after them. They got in a huge fight, and Remus was killed. The city was named Rome after Romulus and became king.
- 4. How did the geography of the Italian peninsula influence the rise of Roman civilization?
- -Italy was not nearly as mountainous as Greece, so it was easier to unify. The plains in Italy were also very wide and fertile, making it easier for population to grow.
- 43. Why is Marcus Aurelius' death considered to be the end of the Pax Romana?
- -His death is considered the end of the Pax Romana because he was the last true emperor to rule during that period. When he died Rome had many different emperors, most of which were generals or political intriguers. Rome had 26 emperors in just 50 years during this turbulent time.
- 11. How did Rome expand across the Italian peninsula?
- -The Romans had a very loyal army made up of citizens who fought without pay. The common military unit was a legion. Romans used harsh punishments for soldiers who were cowardly, but great rewards to those who were brave, guaranteeing victory.
- 7. What is a legion?
- -A military unit made up of about 5,000 men, who worked without pay, and who supplied their own weapons. The soldiers were very loyal, because they were proud of their country. If a soldier is cowardly, one out of every ten soldiers will die. However, if they were brave, they were greatly rewarded.
- 26. Explain what "Bread and Circuses" are and the effect they had on Rome.
- -Circuses are gladiator fights. Gladiators were slaves who were trained to fight, and Rome had these so that the citizens could let out their energy and not form riots. Bread was food that the government gave to the people. This system kept the citizens on the border of a riot, but helped to sustain them from completely rebelling.
- 58. Why did Octavian declare war on Cleopatra and what happened at the Actium?
- -Octavian declared war on Cleopatra because Antony was rude to his wife, who was Octavian's sister. Octavian could not declare war on a Roman, so he declared it on Egypt. At Actium, Cleopatra and Antony fled from Octavian's fleets, which was very cowardly.
- 32. What is Greco-Roman civilization?
- -This civilization was formed when Greek culture started to blend with Roman culture. Rome immersed themselves with Greek culture just as the Greeks had used ideas from the Fertile Crescent and Egypt. The mix of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture is Greco-Roman civilization.
- 13. Why were the Punic Wars fought?
- -The wars were fought because Carthage kept creeping up on Rome, and Rome did not like that so they instantly sent an army down to defeat Carthage. Carthage then repeated attacks for revenge. There was an economic dispute.
- 56. Why was Mark Antony attracted to Cleopatra?
- -Mark Antony liked Cleopatra because he first saw her looking like the goddess Venus, the goddess of love. She also most likely was attractive to Antony for the same reasons that Caesar had loved her.
- 47. What led to the end of Roman dominance? How were these problems interconnected?
- -Political authority issues, Economic problems, and social decline, all lead to the fall of Rome. The government become more strict and lost the loyalty of the people. Higher taxes were required to fund the government. Citizens in general lost their devotion and began not to care.
- 22. Who is Octavian and how did he gain power?
- -He took over when Caesar was killed. He was mostly a king, but he was careful never to call himself that because the people did not like the idea of a king. He changed his name to Augustus. He was Caesars grand-nephew. Octavian and Mark Antony get in a big fight over Cleopatra.
- 6. How did the Plebeians change the republic in Rome?
- -The Plebeians worked very slowly to change the republic. Their first great achievement was getting the government to write the laws on tablets, and place them in the forum. Then the Plebeians earned the right to elect tribunes, to look over new laws. Slowly, they eventually gained the right to be in the senate.
- 30. Why are the last five rulers of the Pax Romana called the Good Emperors?
- Because they tried to fix the empire. Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and Marcus Aurelius, were the good emperors.
- 3. Who were the Etruscans and what did they contribute to Rome?
- -The Etruscans are North of the Latins. They were extremely good artists, and traded as far as Sweden. They were very affectionate people, and men and women were not separated. They had the largest deposits of iron, copper, and tin. They invented the arch. They contributed art and technology.
- 48. Do you think Rome fell? Are there aspects of ancient Rome still present in the world today?
- -I do think that the Roman empire fell, but not because of foreign attacks or bad emperors. The higher you go, the harder you fall. Rome kept becoming more and more powerful, making the fall much harder. If they had quit when they were ahead, they may not have been such a target for decline and attacks. We still have Christianity and the Vatican.
- How did technology change or improve during the Roman Empire? How do you think this affected daily life in Rome?
- -The Romans made great strides in Engineering, which benefited the citizens. Rome built many roads and bridges for the citizens, many of which were used long after the fall of the Roman empire. Romans also created aqueducts, to bring water into the city. Most cities had public baths were the citizens would go to bathe and chat.
- 10. What was the religion like?
- -The gods in Rome were almost identical to those of Greece, the Romans just used different names such as Mars, Neptune, and Jupiter. They built temples and monuments. Christianity later became very popular.
- Was empire good or bad for Rome?
- Slaves were denied human rights, women did not have political rights, Christians were persecuted, Jews lost their homeland, Plague killed many in the west, but emperors were effective and most encouraged growth in science and art.
- 53. How did Caesar's actions lead the people of Rome to think he was going to make himself a king?
- -The people of Rome thought Caesar was going to crown himself king because many thought that he and Cleopatra would rule together as king and queen. He also sat on a gold throne, and had a statue of himself placed next to statues of the past kings of Rome.
- 45. Who is Attila? Is he a barbarian?
- Attila was a very powerful leader of the Huns. He was not as civilized but he was not a violent barbarian. He had a son which he cared for greatly and he also took care of his personal appearance.
- 25. What is the Pax Romana?
- -A time of peace during the Roman empire. It started with Augustus, and ended after Marcus Aurelius. After the Pax Romana, germanic people and huns invaded. Lasted 200 years. Rome was united and orderly. Roman legions were strong and trade flowed freely. They had bread and circuses.
- Who is Aeneas and what is his story?
- -He was the father of Roman civilization. He and his family escape from Troy right when the Achaeans are burning the city down. The Aeneid (the story of Aeneas) was written by Virgil.
- 18. Who were the Gracchus brothers and why are they important? How did people try to fix the problems in the Republic?
- -The Gracchus brothers were Tiberius and Gaius. They were important because they tried to bring peace in a time of chaos. Gaius fed the poor by buying grain with public funds, and Tiberius wanted land distributed to the poor.
- 49. Why is a Macedonian woman ruling Egypt?
- -A Macedonian women was ruling Egypt because she was related to Alexander the Great, who was Macedonian, and he conquered Egypt.
- 15. How did Rome build an empire in the Mediterranean region?
- Rome kept attacking Carthage. They were in three wars against each other. Rome first won Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. Carthage wanted revenge, and Hannibal led them in war. Rome had a stronger leader though and eventually won the war.