Ancient Rome Quiz

Question 1

According to Roman tradition, in what year was Rome founded?

Accepted Answer

753 BC

Answer

509 BC

Answer

264 BC

Answer

1000 BC

Question 2

What was the highest elected office in the Roman Republic?

Accepted Answer

Consul

Answer

Senator

Answer

Praetor

Answer

Tribune

Question 3

Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March) of which year?

Accepted Answer

44 BC

Answer

55 BC

Answer

27 BC

Answer

14 BC

Question 4

Who was Rome's first emperor?

Accepted Answer

Augustus (Octavian)

Answer

Julius Caesar

Answer

Mark Antony

Answer

Nero

Question 5

What was the Roman Senate?

Accepted Answer

The dominant advisory and legislative assembly of Rome

Answer

The army's governing body

Answer

The high court of justice

Answer

The body that managed Rome's treasury

Question 6

Which Roman emperor built a famous wall across northern Britain?

Accepted Answer

Hadrian

Answer

Nero

Answer

Trajan

Answer

Claudius

Question 7

What was the Colosseum in Rome primarily used for?

Accepted Answer

Gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles

Answer

Religious ceremonies

Answer

Public executions only

Answer

Trade and commerce

Question 8

Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, destroying which Roman city?

Accepted Answer

Herculaneum and Pompeii

Answer

Rome

Answer

Naples

Answer

Pompeii

Question 9

The Punic Wars were fought between Rome and which other power?

Accepted Answer

Carthage

Answer

Greece

Answer

Egypt

Answer

Persia

Question 10

Which Roman general crossed the Rubicon river in 49 BC, triggering a civil war?

Accepted Answer

Julius Caesar

Answer

Pompey

Answer

Mark Antony

Answer

Crassus

Question 11

What language did the Romans speak?

Accepted Answer

Latin

Answer

Greek

Answer

Etruscan

Answer

Italic

Question 12

Roman gladiators who fought from a chariot were called what?

Accepted Answer

Essedarius

Answer

Murmillo

Answer

Retiarius

Answer

Secutor

Question 13

Who was the famous Roman orator and statesman who wrote extensively about Roman law and rhetoric?

Accepted Answer

Cicero

Answer

Virgil

Answer

Ovid

Answer

Livy

Question 14

What was the Pax Romana?

Accepted Answer

A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire (27 BC–180 AD)

Answer

A peace treaty with Greece

Answer

Roman law regarding prisoners of war

Answer

The peace offered after conquering a city

Question 15

What was a 'legion' in the Roman army?

Accepted Answer

A unit of about 5,000 soldiers — the backbone of the Roman army

Answer

A group of 100 soldiers (a century)

Answer

A cavalry regiment

Answer

The Roman navy's main unit

Question 16

Which emperor declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire?

Accepted Answer

Theodosius I

Answer

Constantine

Answer

Diocletian

Answer

Julian

Question 17

What year did the Western Roman Empire fall?

Accepted Answer

476 AD

Answer

376 AD

Answer

410 AD

Answer

455 AD

Question 18

The famous Roman roads were built primarily for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Military movement and communication across the empire

Answer

Trade only

Answer

Religious pilgrimages

Answer

Chariot racing

Question 19

Spartacus led a famous slave revolt against Rome in which years?

Accepted Answer

73–71 BC

Answer

133–132 BC

Answer

49–44 BC

Answer

91–87 BC

Question 20

What does 'SPQR' stand for — the motto of the Roman Republic and Empire?

Accepted Answer

Senate and People of Rome (Senatus Populusque Romanus)

Answer

Senators and People of Rome

Answer

Supreme Power of the Roman Republic

Answer

Sovereignty, Power, and Rule of Rome