Daily Life in Ancient Rome

What could a foreign visitor to Rome expect to see in the Forum?

• a track for chariot races

• a central gathering place

• a wealthy country house

• a site of fights with lions

What was a common way to become a Roman slave?

• having skill at a craft

• doing poorly in school

• being captured in a war

• losing a political election

Why did the Roman emperors give the poor “bread and circuses”?

• so the poor would not rebel

• so the poor could learn to read

• so the poor would not eat meat

• so the poor could make more money

What is one example of the rule of law in the Roman Empire?

• the emperor had to obey the Senate

• Senators carried an ax to protect themselves

• the punishments were the same for the rich and poor

• any Roman could accuse someone of a crime

Who made the decisions at Roman trials?

• a jury

• a senator

• the victim

• the emperor

Why would a Roman family throw a small cake into the fire?

• They considered burned cakes a treat

• They did not have enough wood to use as fuel

• They thought only large cakes were worth eating

• They were making an offering to the goddess of the hearth

When did a man become a paterfamilias?

• when he got married

• when his own father died

• when he became a grandfather

• when he gave his toys to the gods

Why was the home of a wealthy Roman unlikely to burn down?

• It had a chimney

• It did not have a kitchen

• It had small rooms

• It was built of stone.

Why was fighting a regular event in the Colosseum?

• to protect the city from raids

• to entertain the audience

• to express the anger of the poor

• to decide who should be emperor

Why did thousands of Romans go to the Circus Maximus?

• to eat a free meal

• to watch chariot races

• to enjoy the elephants and trapeze artists

• to shop for everyday clothing