After the assassination of Julius Caesar 
A. The Roman Republic was restored 
B. Alexander the Great conquered Rome 
C. Hannibal led a plebeian uprising against the patricians 
D. There was a series of civil wars that ended in the one-man rule of Augustus 
ANSWER: D
During the Second Triumvirate 
A. Pompey became dictator for ten years 
B. Before their final showdown, Antony and Octavian forced the third member, Lepidus, to retire 
C. Cleopatra sided with Octavian, insuring his triumph 
D. Julius Caesar was assassinated by a conspiracy led by the Triumvirs themselves.
ANSWER: B
In the division of power over the empire 
A. Antony took the west; Octavian took the east 
B. Cicero took the west; Antony took the east 
C. Octavian took the west; Antony took the east 
D. Brutus took the west; Octavian took the east 
ANSWER: C
Antony and Octavian attempted to create a bond of alliance between themselves by 
A. Antony marrying Octavian's sister, Octavia 
B. Antony giving his mistress, Cleopatra, to Octavian 
C. Sharing the consulships of Rome on a permanent basis 
D. Combining their armies for an attack on Parthia 
ANSWER: A
Antony and Cleopatra lost the Battle of Actium because 
A. A great storm destroyed their ships 
B. Octavian possessed much larger forces than Antony 
C. Cleopatra abandoned the battle with her fleet and Antony followed her 
D. Antony was killed at the beginning of the battle 
ANSWER: C
Rome completed its domination of the Mediterranean when 
A. Constantine adopted Christianity 
B. Sulla defeated Mithradates 
C. Nero defeated the Germans 
D. Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra 
ANSWER: D
The government established by Augustus after 27 B.C. has come to be called the 
A. Dictatorship 
B. Royal realm 
C. Democratic republic 
D. Principate 
ANSWER: D
During his Principate, Augustus did all of the following except 
A. Abolish the Senate because of the great opposition that he found there.
B. Assume the powers of Tribune and Consul while permitting others to exercise the offices 
C. Use his personal wealth to balance the budget and rebuild Rome 
D. Accept the title "Father of the Fatherland" 
ANSWER: A
Augustus improved the organization of imperial government by 
A. Directly controlling the military provinces and sending representatives to govern them 
B. A foreign service from men of the equestrian class eager to advance 
C. Replacing private tax contractors with an efficient, honest administration 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
The Aeneid, which celebrated the heroic foundation of Rome and the values it cherished, was written by 
A. Homer 
B. Livy 
C. Virgil 
D. Tacitus 
ANSWER: C
The first four successors of Augustus, called the Julio-Claudians because of ties to his family, 
A. Continued the high moral values and virtuous rule of Augustus 
B. Illustrated the corruption of power and the flimsiness of the idea of "first citizen" 
C. Ruled so badly that the imperial administration fell to pieces and Rome declined 
D. Attempted to restore the Republic by giving up all their powers 
ANSWER: B
The next dynasty, that of Vespasian, came to power in 69 A.D. as a result of 
A. A bloody civil war fought by the armies to secure the power for their commanders 
B. Being elected by the assembly because they were tired of Julio-Claudian rule 
C. Vespasian succeeding in murdering all remaining members of Augustus' family 
D. Nero giving up his power because he realized Vespasian was a better man 
ANSWER: A
The Dynasty of Augustus, the Dynasty of Vespasian, and the era of the Five Good Emperors all ended with 
A. The accession of an incompetent or viciously immoral son 
B. A Germanic invasion that sacked Rome 
C. An eruption of Vesuvius 
D. A major slave revolt 
ANSWER: A
In the days of the Five Good Emperors 
A. Their successors were usually chosen by adoption 
B. Some of the Emperors had to spend years away from Rome securing the frontiers 
C. They were long remembered in Rome because of the integrity and simplicity of their rule 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
The trade route established to move precious goods from China to the Mediterranean was 
A. The Han Highway 
B. The Red Sea 
C. The Silk Road 
D. The Suez Canal 
ANSWER: C
Which of the following was not a factor holding the Roman Empire together? 
A. Ferocious repression of all rebellions 
B. Widely spread Romanization through citizen colonies and military service 
C. Local town councils that maintained infrastructure, collected taxes, and loyally reported to the imperial administration 
D. Well-engineered roads and bridges, with an organized transport system 
ANSWER: A
In order to improve the lives of the Romans, Augustus 
A. Encouraged an opulent life-style of luxurious clothes and jewels for the rich 
B. Favored the growing gap between rich and poor 
C. Promoted legislation to encourage marriage, children, and traditional morality 
D. Forced only non-Romans to serve military duty 
ANSWER: C
Which of the following was not one of the reasons for Rome's declining birthrate under the Empire? 
A. To have fewer children in order to have greater inheritances for each 
B. Seriously mistaken views by physicians on sex and female fertility 
C. Augustus' new laws on marriage and family 
D. Use of birth control methods and abortion 
ANSWER: C
The Colosseum was used for the bloody display of 
A. Gladiators 
B. Wild animal slaughter 
C. Mass executions of condemned criminals 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
The bloody displays of arena and circus served the purpose of showing 
A. The empire's dominance over its enemies 
B. The generosity of the emperor who paid for the games, increasing loyalty to him 
C. People how to face death bravely and honorably 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
The end of the Roman Peace (Pax Romana) was marked by 
A. The assassination of Marcus Aurelius' decadent son, Commodus, in 192 
B. The suicide of Nero in 68 
C. The moving of the capital to Constantinople in 330 
D. The crucifixion of Christ in 33 
ANSWER: A
Beginning with the rule of Septimius Severus in 193, the Roman Empire 
A. Continued to enjoy the prosperity and tranquility of the era of the Five Good Emperors 
B. Became more militarized, with generals placed in positions of power 
C. Expanded, crushing Persia 
D. None of the above 
ANSWER: B
The increase of luxury spending by the rich during the high empire damaged the economy because 
A. Money drained from the West to the East, where most luxury goods were produced 
B. Less money circulated limiting growth opportunities for the middle class 
C. The Roman poor had to receive increasing food subsidies, further reducing the treasury 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: A
Which major problem did the Roman Empire face after 200 AD? 
A. Civil wars and numerous claimants to the Imperial throne 
B. Economic recession and major plagues 
C. A serious inflation that hurt the economy 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
The plague of the late 2nd century 
A. Depleted the already declining population 
B. Produced a scarcity of labor 
C. Increased the military recruitment of mercenaries from across the borders, which "barbarized" the Roman army 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
Which of the following political and administrative changes did Diocletian NOT make? 
A. Ended the principate by adopting the title of "lord" (dominus) and having himself worshipped as a living god.
B. Returned all civil power to the Senate, which would choose the consuls 
C. Divided the empire between 4 rulers, two Augusti who would each choose a Caesar 
D. Concentrated most of the army at inland bases, to be quickly moved to any threatened part of the border 
ANSWER: B
The reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian was noted for 
A. The revival of the Senate 
B. Vigorous administrative measures and reorganization of the Empire 
C. Military defeat by the Pathians 
D. A return to a simple, republican style of life by the Emperor.
ANSWER: B
It can be said of the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian that 
A. He ended the chaos of the past fifty years, but at the cost of weakening the will of many Romans to support public life or fight for the empire 
B. His policy of restoring many republican institutions ultimately weakened imperial rule.
C. His vigorous renewal of pagan religious life prevented the triumph of Christianity for more than a century.
D. None of the above 
ANSWER: A
Constantine shifted the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium, later called Constantinople, because 
A. He had a major quarrel with the Roman Senate 
B. Rome was sacked by the Visigoths 
C. He wished to locate the capital in a part of the Empire that was both wealthier and nearer vital military frontiers.
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: C
The German tribe invited to cross the Danube to settle, which then defeated the Romans at the Battle of Adrianople and sacked Rome in 410 was the 
A. Ostrogoths 
B. Huns 
C. Visigoths 
D. Franks 
ANSWER: C
The influential philosophy of Neo-Platonism believed that 
A. By living a life of self-mutilation and deprivation one could approach god 
B. Through ecstatic dances and hallucinations god would come to them 
C. Each person contained a spark of divinity that could be cultivated by contemplation and proper living 
D. Sacrificing regularly to the emperor would assure personal and public benefit 
ANSWER: C
Which of the following was NOT a mystery cult? 
A. Epicurianism 
B. Isis and Serapis 
C. Mithraism 
D. Dionysus 
ANSWER: A
The willingness of many Romans in the Imperial period to follow the various mystery religions is evidence of 
A. A growing lack of confidence in the Emperor 
B. A longing for religious fulfillment that was not satisfied by worship of traditional gods 
C. The rise of neo-Platonic philosophy during the Imperial period 
D. The triumph of Hellenistic science undermining belief in traditional gods.
ANSWER: B
The Mystery Religions 
A. Because of their diverse cultural origins reflected the multiculturalism of the Roman Empire 
B. Reached a peak in the Hellenistic period and declined during Roman rule 
C. Were exclusively for female worshipers 
D. Were exclusively for male worshipers 
ANSWER: A
Which of the following Jewish groups emphasized violent revolt against the Romans? 
A. Pharisees 
B. Sadducees 
C. Zealots 
D. Essenes 
ANSWER: C
Which of the following Jewish groups withdrew from society and lived pure lives? 
A. Pharisees 
B. Sadducees 
C. Zealots 
D. Essenes 
ANSWER: D
Which of the following is NOT true of the career of Jesus? 
A. He called for the overthrow of the Roman government 
B. He taught a message of peace, love and care for the suffering and poor 
C. He was reported to have performed miracles and cures 
D. He was seen by his apostles to have risen from the dead after his crucifixion 
ANSWER: A
Paul of Tarsus taught that all followers of Jesus 
A. Must be circumcised and follow Jewish dietary laws 
B. Must follow Jewish dietary laws but didn't have to be circumcised 
C. Needed neither to be circumcised nor follow Jewish dietary laws 
D. Needed to come and sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem 
ANSWER: C
The main ceremony of the early Christians was the Eucharist, 
A. A commemoration of the last supper, a sharing of wine and bread 
B. A ritual dance and mock re-enactment of the crucifixion 
C. The sacrifice of a baby and the sharing of his blood 
D. A public procession with crosses to provoke the Romans 
ANSWER: A
The numerous misunderstandings that Romans had about early Christianity were probably caused 
A. By the origins of Christianity outside of the Roman Empire 
B. Because Christians seemed to violate the social order by including the poor, slaves, and women as equals in their congregations 
C. By the belief that Christianity led to the worship of the devil.
D. None of the above 
ANSWER: B
Beginning with Nero, the Romans periodically persecuted the Christians because 
A. They believed in one god 
B. They believed in the resurrection of Jesus 
C. They refused to make a sacrifice to the Emperor 
D. They believed in life after death 
ANSWER: C
The emperor Constantine affected the future of Christianity by 
A. Ending the persecutions 
B. Supporting the Church by giving them tax advantages and returning property 
C. Building the first great churches and making the Holy Land a place of pilgrimage 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
Once Christianity became the official religion of the Empire 
A. The artistic depictions of Christ started to change from the Good Shepherd to the lord of the universe 
B. The organization of the Christian church began to duplicate the organization of the Roman Empire 
C. Christian bishops became bold enough to criticize the conduct of the Emperor 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
The Council of Nicea 
A. Proclaimed Constantine to be emperor 
B. Declared that the ideas of Arius on the nature of Christ were heretical 
C. Demanded persecution of pagans 
D. Declared war on the Visigoths 
ANSWER: B
In what way did Christian behavior reshape Roman society? 
A. By rejecting celibacy 
B. By rejecting gladiatorial games and the exposure of unwanted children 
C. By banning the reading of the Homeric epics 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: B
Melania the Younger 
A. Urged Diocletian to persecute Christians 
B. Because of her dedication to celibacy and the foundation of monasteries, was regarded as a model of Christian holiness 
C. Was the wife of the Visigothic king who sacked Rome, was noted for her rapacity 
D. Was the most famous and influential of the High priestesses of the Serapis cult 
ANSWER: B
In the City of God, St. Augustine argued that even though the city of Rome had been sacked by the Visigoths, Christians 
A. Should not worry since the city would be rebuilt 
B. Should look forward to the end of time and prepare for God's kingdom 
C. Should despair, since this was God's punishment 
D. Should work together with the pagans to build the perfect civil society 
ANSWER: B
St. Augustine's attitude toward sexuality was that it was 
A. An aspect of Original Sin and should be kept under strict control or repressed entirely 
B. An expression of God's love for the pleasure between men and women 
C. Only proper with a prostitute, and should be avoided between husband and wife 
D. Only to be practiced between man and man or woman and woman 
ANSWER: A
Which of the following was NOT an aspect of the growing monastic movement? 
A. Escape from the growing social and economic chaos of late antiquity 
B. Living lives of self-denial in order to concentrate on spiritual values 
C. To save money to be used when the empire returned to prosperity 
D. To find shared spiritual values in a communal society of Christians 
ANSWER: C
Relics of holy people and saints were so important to early Christians that 
A. People believed the remains of martyrs contained sacred power of salvation 
B. They associated their own resurrection of the flesh with the bodies of martyrs 
C. A lucrative trade in relics arose and each church wanted to have relics in their altars 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: C
In search of spiritual perfection, many early Christians 
A. Fled to the desert to live as hermits 
B. Undertook self-denial, living on minimum food and sleep 
C. Formed monastic communities 
D. All of the above 
ANSWER: D
Mark Antony deserted his wife Octavia, Octavian's sister, for Cleopatra of Egypt.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Octavian was disappointed by the death of Cleopatra, since he wanted to bring her back to Rome as a prisoner.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Augustus was made ruler of the empire, but unfortunately had little money and had to depend on the Senate for funding 
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
Augustus refused to allow Romans to worship him as a god, and his formal deification came after his death.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Augustus' successors of his own family were good rulers both professionally and personally.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
The emperor Marcus Aurelius was also a noted Stoic philosopher, who wrote a book called Meditations.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Roman roads were so well built that it was cheaper to send goods by land than by sea.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
Many public building throughout the empire were built with money from private philanthropists or the emperor.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Under the influence of Roman rule, the Greek language died out in the Hellenistic eastern Mediterranean.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
In the late empire, the army became the king-makers, leading to instability and frequent changes in imperial rule.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
The Western part of the empire lasted longer than the East, since it was wealthier.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
When Diocletian came to power in 285, he believed the emperor had become too strong and he re-established the democratic assemblies.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
Most mystery cults offered a better afterlife to people disenchanted with the problems of the late empire and alienated from the old pagan religion.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
At the time of Jesus, the Jews were united religiously, politically, and socially.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
St. Peter agreed with St. Paul that only circumcised Jews should be admitted to fellowship with the Christian community.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
The destruction of the Temple ended many major divisions within Judaism.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Early depictions of Christ as the Good Shepherd show him as a simple peasant, but after the Church became official and acquired wealth, he is depicted in the royal purple cloth of emperors.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
The Council of Nicea upheld Arius' ideas on Christ.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
St. Augustine and other Christian leaders taught that the new Christian state was not incompatible with the Church, but should be active in supporting and protecting it.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
Melania the Younger argued that Christians should not practice celibacy.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: B
A major influence of the monastic ideal on the lives of everyday Christians was to teach that Christian lives should be modest and simple, avoiding too much comfort and pleasure.
A. True
B. False
ANSWER: A
