Quiz on the Roman Empire

What were the three main 'players' in the political history of the Roman Empire?

• Emperor, aristocracy, and army

• Senate, merchants, and army

• Generals, citizens, and Senate

• Emperor, citizens, and merchants

What was the main reason for the Senate's fear of the army?

• It was loyal to the emperor

• It demanded too much funding

• It was too powerful politically

• It was a source of unpredictable violence

Which emperor was adopted by Augustus to ensure a smooth transition?

• Trajan

• Nero

• Tiberius

• Caligula

What was the state of civil war in the first two centuries of the Roman Empire?

• Only occurred in the last century

• Common due to army divisions

• Frequent and widespread

• Relatively stable with few occurrences

What was the only major campaign of expansion during the early empire?

• Trajan's occupation across the Euphrates

• Augustus's conquest of Gaul

• Nero's invasion of Britain

• Tiberius's campaigns in Germania

What characterized the 'Augustan age'?

• Civil wars among emperors

• A period of peace after internal strife

• Frequent military conquests

• Economic decline and instability

What year is noted for having four emperors in quick succession?

• 37 CE

• 116 CE

• 69 CE

• 14 CE

What did Trajan wish for while looking at a merchant-ship setting off for India?

• To conquer India

• To return to Rome

• To be as young as Alexander

• To expand the empire further

What was the primary reason for the heavy taxation during the third century?

• Expansion of trade routes

• Mounting military expenditures

• Infrastructure development

• Public health initiatives

What was the relationship between the army and the principle of succession?

• The army was indifferent to succession

• The army supported family descent

• The army opposed family descent

• The army chose emperors based on merit