Ancient Rome Quiz

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

1. 1000 BC
2. 264 BC
3. 509 BC
4. 753 BC

2. What was the highest elected office in the Roman Republic?

1. Consul
2. Praetor
3. Senator
4. Tribune

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

1. 14 BC
2. 27 BC
3. 44 BC
4. 55 BC

4. Who was Rome's first emperor?

1. Augustus (Octavian)
2. Julius Caesar
3. Mark Antony
4. Nero

5. What was the Roman Senate?

1. The army's governing body
2. The body that managed Rome's treasury
3. The dominant advisory and legislative assembly of Rome
4. The high court of justice

6. Which Roman emperor built a famous wall across northern Britain?

1. Claudius
2. Hadrian
3. Nero
4. Trajan

7. What was the Colosseum in Rome primarily used for?

1. Gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles
2. Public executions only
3. Religious ceremonies
4. Trade and commerce

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

1. Herculaneum and Pompeii
2. Naples
3. Pompeii
4. Rome

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

1. Carthage
2. Egypt
3. Greece
4. Persia

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

1. Crassus
2. Julius Caesar
3. Mark Antony
4. Pompey

11. What language did the Romans speak?

1. Etruscan
2. Greek
3. Italic
4. Latin

12. Roman gladiators who fought from a chariot were called what?

1. Essedarius
2. Murmillo
3. Retiarius
4. Secutor

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

1. Cicero
2. Livy
3. Ovid
4. Virgil

14. What was the Pax Romana?

1. A peace treaty with Greece
2. A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire (27 BC–180 AD)
3. Roman law regarding prisoners of war
4. The peace offered after conquering a city

15. What was a 'legion' in the Roman army?

1. A cavalry regiment
2. A group of 100 soldiers (a century)
3. A unit of about 5,000 soldiers — the backbone of the Roman army
4. The Roman navy's main unit

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

1. Constantine
2. Diocletian
3. Julian
4. Theodosius I

17. What year did the Western Roman Empire fall?

1. 376 AD
2. 410 AD
3. 455 AD
4. 476 AD

18. The famous Roman roads were built primarily for what purpose?

1. Chariot racing
2. Military movement and communication across the empire
3. Religious pilgrimages
4. Trade only

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

1. 133–132 BC
2. 49–44 BC
3. 73–71 BC
4. 91–87 BC

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

1. Senate and People of Rome (Senatus Populusque Romanus)
2. Senators and People of Rome
3. Sovereignty, Power, and Rule of Rome
4. Supreme Power of the Roman Republic