Multiple Choice Quiz #4 - big

Romulus

First king of Rome; mythological figure, though his supposed palace was discovered within the last couple hundred years.

Remus

Twin brother of Romulus; co-founder of Rome in mythology.

Patricians

The Roman upper class based on birth and descent from the founders; even if broke, they remained Patricians.

Plebeians

The majority of the Roman population; hardworking people who could not be Patricians unless they moved up via marriage.

Pater familias / Patriarchy

Total control of the family by the father ("government by fathers"); fathers could put family members on trial or kill them for disgrace.

Twelve Tables

Rome's first code of laws, establishing public legal standards for citizens.

Appian Way / road system / aqueducts

Practical Roman engineering marvels showcasing their focus on functional arts, logistics, and infrastructure.

Carthage

Northern African rival city-state fought by Rome during the Punic Wars.

Hannibal

Carthaginian general who famously fought Rome during the Punic Wars.

Third Punic War / Destruction of Carthage

The final war between Rome and Carthage resulting in Carthage being completely destroyed.

Roman Lake

Term describing the Mediterranean Sea after Rome conquered all surrounding territories.

Julius Caesar

Impoverished patrician, brilliant general, and political mastermind who made himself dictator for life; assassinated in 42 BC.

Brutus

Traditional Roman senator who believed the Senate made Rome special; joined the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar.

Octavian

Adopted son of Julius Caesar who became Rome's first emperor, taking the name Augustus.

Plutarch

Classical historian who wrote descriptions of figures like Julius Caesar and Antony.

Suetonius

Roman historian who wrote the biographies of the first several Roman emperors, detailing their lives and insanity.

Roman Empire

Period of Roman history following the Republic, ruled by an emperor or characterized by massive territorial conquest.

Caesar (the title)

Imperial title derived from Julius Caesar used by subsequent Roman emperors.

Roman Republic

Representative government where citizens voted for representatives (Senate and Assembly) rather than voting directly on issues.

Cincinnatus

Roman farmer-warrior hero who was asked to be king, declined, and returned to his plow; viewed as the ideal selfless Roman citizen.

Assembly

The branch of government representing the Plebeians, holding elections, favoring war/action, and serving one-year terms.

Consul

Two executive leaders elected for one year; one managed domestic/building duties while the other led military legions.

Legion / Legionnaires

Core Roman military units composed of citizen-soldiers (later professional soldiers) using short swords and shields.

Roman Virtues

The foundational building blocks of Roman culture and warfare: Honor, Courage, and Hard Work.

Punic Wars

A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage over roughly 50 years (250–200 BC) that completely changed Rome.

Consequences of the Punic Wars

Rise of the Senate's power, shift from citizen-soldier to professional armies, destruction of small farms, and creation of urban slums in Rome.

Consequences of the Conquest of Greece

Romans adopted Greek culture, practical arts, statues, poetry, philosophy, theater, and elite homosexuality.

Gaul

Region fought and conquered by Julius Caesar; modern-day France region.

Cicero

Great conservative philosopher, lawyer, and senator who profoundly believed in old Roman virtues and that senators should serve Rome only.

Marc Antony & Cleopatra

Political and romantic alliance in the East; Antony split Rome with Octavian before their defeat and suicides.

Lives of the Great Greeks and Romans

Biographical historical texts written by Plutarch detailing major classical figures.

Lives of the Caesars

Biographical accounts written by Suetonius documenting early Roman emperors.

Octavian / Augustus

Transformed Rome from a city of brick to a city of marble; ruled as the first official emperor until 11 or 12 AD.

Insane Emperors Paradox

The reality that insane emperors (like Tiberius or Nero) didn't drastically disrupt everyday common life because the massive bureaucracy and legions kept running efficiently.

Caligula

Emperor whose brain was supposedly "cooked" by a severe fever, leading to extreme insanity, cruelty, humiliation of elders, and assassination.

Colosseum

Massive engineering marvel featuring a retractable roof and capability to be flooded for naval battles and gladiator games.

Reformer Emperors

Emperors who attempted to restore old Roman respect, morality, and traditional virtues.

Marcus Aurelius

Greatest emperor of the Pax Romana, a prominent Stoic philosopher, author of Meditations, and persecutor of Christians.

Diocletian

Emperor who split the Roman empire in half (East and West) to manage bureaucracy and tried to fix economic and taxation crises.

Division of Roman Empire

Split into the Western half (Latin-speaking Europe) and Eastern half (Greek-speaking Asia, Africa, and Greece) to improve governance.

Persecution of Jews and Christians

State-sponsored crackdowns driven by the fact that Christians/Jews were distinct and Christians opposed war and violence.

Constantine

Emperor who legalized Christianity after a vision of the Chi-Rho symbol before battle; shifted Rome's backing to the Christian church.

Nero

Emperor who persecuted Christians by using them as human torches, built his Golden House after a massive fire, and loved artistic performances and chariot racing.

Gladiators

Fighters who battled in arenas like the Colosseum for public entertainment.

Pax Romana

A period of relative peace and high administrative efficiency across the Roman Empire lasting around 200 years.

Stoicism / Stoic

Philosophy teaching that life is hard, emotional extremes should be avoided, and one must face reality with eyes open (modeled in Meditations).

Feudalism / Goths / Huns / Vandals

Barbarian Germanic and nomadic tribes that pressured and eventually broke apart the Western Roman Empire.

Edict of Milan

Constantine's decree legalizing Christianity across the Roman Empire.

Reasons Constantine made Christianity Rome's official religion

Personal conviction (mother Helena), belief God helped him win battle, and the useful, highly structured organization of the Church hierarchy.

Constantine's Mother (Helena)

First biblical archaeologist who journeyed to find holy sites and allegedly discovered the true cross and burial locations.

Council of Nicea

First major church council called by Constantine to resolve theological disputes; established official church stances.

Byzantium / Constantinople

Capital city built by Constantine in modern-day Turkey; became a major administrative and religious center.

Fall of Rome

Collapse of the Western Roman half in 476 AD when barbarian Germanic tribes tore it apart.

Israel / Judea

Middle Eastern province under Roman control; birthplace of Jesus and setting for intense political and religious turmoil.

John the Baptist

Holy man living in the desert who baptized people in the Jordan River to cleanse sins and foretold the coming of the Messiah.

Messiah / Christ / Savior

Three equivalent terms meaning the anointed deliverer or savior in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

Mary / Joseph

Parents of Jesus; Mary conceived miraculously via the Holy Spirit, and Joseph raised him as an artisan's son.

Golden Rule

Core ethical teaching attributed to Jesus: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Crucifixion / Resurrection

The brutal Roman execution of Jesus on a cross, followed by his resurrection three days later, anchoring Christian faith.

Peter

Apostle and fisherman chosen by Jesus ("the rock") to lead the early church; later martyred in Rome by being crucified upside down.

Last Supper

Final meal shared by Jesus and his apostles where he instituted the Eucharist (bread and wine as body and blood).

St. Paul / Saul of Tarsus

Intellectual religious leader and apostle who argued that non-Jews could become Christians without following strict Jewish ceremonial laws.

Nicene Creed

Statement of Christian faith and orthodox beliefs established at the Council of Nicea regarding the Holy Trinity.

Byzantine Empire

The surviving Eastern half of the Roman Empire centered in Constantinople after the fall of the West.

Herod the Great

Roman-aligned King of Judea who built up Jerusalem, suffered from mental instability, and ordered the execution of young boys in Bethlehem.

Evangelism

The spreading of the Christian gospel by traveling preachers and apostles.

Gabriel

The angel who announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God.

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity; born in Bethlehem, taught love, peace, and the Beatitudes, and was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

Sermon on the Mount / Beatitudes

Famous teachings of Jesus on a mountain detailing eight blessings and fundamental ethical guidelines.

Pontius Pilate

Hard, stern Roman governor (procurator) of Judea who reluctantly ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

Apostle

One of the primary close followers and disciples chosen by Jesus to spread his message.

Judas Iscariot

Apostle who betrayed Jesus to the temple authorities for a bribe and subsequently died by suicide.

Transubstantiation

The theological doctrine that the bread and wine during communion physically transform into the actual body and blood of Jesus.

"The Way"

Early descriptive name used for the followers of Jesus before the term "Christians" was widely adopted.

Who could be a Christian?

According to Paul, anyone (including non-Jews without circumcision or strict dietary laws); James initially argued they must follow Jewish laws first.

Destruction of the Jewish Temple

Major historical event in Jerusalem carried out by Roman forces, disrupting traditional Jewish sacrifice systems.

Gnostics

Early alternate Christian sects possessing mystical or secret knowledge traditions.

Roman Catholic Church

The major Western branch of Christianity led by the Pope in Rome.

Priests / Bishops / Pope

The ecclesiastical hierarchy of the Catholic Church structure.

Bible (Old & New Testaments)

The sacred collection of canonical Jewish and Christian scriptures.

False Gospels

Numerous minor or non-canonical texts written about Jesus that were rejected by church leaders as non-authentic.

Matthew / Mark / Luke / John

The four canonical Gospel accounts recognized as the official historical narratives of Jesus' life.

Gospel (Good News)

Literal translation of the word "gospel," representing the teachings and life of Jesus Christ.

Gospels of Judas / Mary Magdalene

Discovered non-canonical texts providing alternative perspectives on early Christian figures outside the core biblical canon.

Non-Biblical Evidence of Jesus' Story

Historical mentions found in external records like the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus and Roman documentation.