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Quiz about Cicero Orator and Statesman of Rome
Quiz about Cicero Orator and Statesman of Rome

Cicero, Orator and Statesman of Rome Quiz


Marcus Tullius Cicero was one of the greatest politicians and orators of the Roman Republic. These questions cover some of the highlights of his life.

A multiple-choice quiz by medvedok. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
medvedok
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
336,472
Updated
Jul 23 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
506
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 151 (6/10), Johnmcmanners (10/10), Guest 49 (3/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Where was Cicero born? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. By profession, Cicero was trained as a lawyer. What is considered to be his first major case? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. How many times was Cicero married? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Cicero is perhaps best known for his suppression of the conspiracy of Cataline. What was the main intent of Cataline's plan? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Cicero was directly included in the assassination plot against Julius Caesar.


Question 6 of 10
6. During Julius Caesar's civil war against Pompey, Cicero supported Pompey.


Question 7 of 10
7. After Caesar's death, Mark Antony coveted Transalpine Gaul as a provice. Whom did Cicero favor for this post? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Cicero was a spokesman for which political party? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. How did Cicero's career end? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Many of Cicero's writings have survived, more so than any other Latin author. Medieval philosophers revived an interest in Cicero. Who among the following did not think highly of Cicero's writings? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Today : Guest 151: 6/10
Oct 20 2024 : Johnmcmanners: 10/10
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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Where was Cicero born?

Answer: Arpinum

Cicero was born in Arpinum about sixty miles south of Rome in 106 BC. He came from a well-to-do equestrian family.
2. By profession, Cicero was trained as a lawyer. What is considered to be his first major case?

Answer: A case of parricide with Sextius Roscius being the accused

The incorrect answers were made up. Divorce in ancient Rome usually involved a declaration on the part of one of the marital partners. Cicero defended Sextus Roscius in a case of parricide, a detestable crime in Rome. Cicero accused Lucius Cornelius Chrysogonus, a freedman of Sulla.

This was a brave act on Cicero's part. He could have easily incurred Sulla's wrath, or, at least, his disfavor. Chrysogonus was a henchman in Sulla's proscriptions of his political enemies.
3. How many times was Cicero married?

Answer: Twice

Cicero was married twice, first to Terentia, and then to Publilia, a much younger woman.
4. Cicero is perhaps best known for his suppression of the conspiracy of Cataline. What was the main intent of Cataline's plan?

Answer: To overthrow the Roman Republic

Lucius Sergius Catalina conspired to overthrow the Roman Republic. To make matters worse, he enlisted the aid of barbarian tribes in Gaul. Cicero, serving as Consul, spoke against him in the Senate in a series of speeches which have come down to us. Martial law was declared, and, eventually a conviction was obtained. Because the Senate was not a judicial body, there was much debate about inflicting a death sentence on Catalina, but eventually Catalina was executed.
5. Cicero was directly included in the assassination plot against Julius Caesar.

Answer: False

Although Cicero was a staunch defender of the Republic, he was not involved, directly or indirectly, in the assassination plot against Julius Caesar. He hailed Brutus and Cassius as liberators after the fact, but he knew nothing about the plot.
6. During Julius Caesar's civil war against Pompey, Cicero supported Pompey.

Answer: True

Cicero favored Pompey during this period because Pompey supported the republican sentiment in the Senate. He followed Pompey to Pharsulus, during which Pompey was decisively defeated. When Cicero returned to Rome, Caesar pardoned him with his customary flair for clemency.
7. After Caesar's death, Mark Antony coveted Transalpine Gaul as a provice. Whom did Cicero favor for this post?

Answer: Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus

Octavian was not considered for the post, and Marcus Junius Brutus had fled with Cassius and the other conspirators from Rome. Cato committed suicide in Utica, North Africa, towards the end of Caesar's civil war. Cicero, in this instance, had no reason to oppose the will of the Senate in appointing Decimus to governorship of Transalpine Gaul.

Moreover, Cicero disliked Antony and later denounced him in a series of speeches called "Philippics."
8. Cicero was a spokesman for which political party?

Answer: Optimates

Cicero supported the Optimates, an aristocratic party which wanted to retain the power of the Roman Senate, detested monarchy, and opposed popular assemblies and plebeian rights and concerns, as well as the power of the People's Tribunes. The Populares were more in favor of granting power to the popular assemblies, land reform, and other populist measures. Technically, this is partially a trick question since the Caesarian party supported Julius Caesar and his measures, many of these measures populist in nature.

The term "Republican" has no known meaning as a distinct political group during this period.
9. How did Cicero's career end?

Answer: Proscribed by the Second Triumvirate and killed

Cicero was high on the list of enemies of the state under the Second Triumvirate. Mark Antony particularly listed him for death as Cicero had earlier denounced him in the "Philippics." There could be no exile for a man like Cicero. Suicide was always an option for a defeated "noble Roman," but not in this case. Cicero was overtaken attempting to escape Italy by ship, killed, and his head and hands were cut off.
10. Many of Cicero's writings have survived, more so than any other Latin author. Medieval philosophers revived an interest in Cicero. Who among the following did not think highly of Cicero's writings?

Answer: Friedrich Engels

The early Christian church declared him "a righteous pagan." The Founding Fathers of the United States and French revolutionists found inspiration in the humanistic and political views in Cicero's writings. John Adams, for example, was impressed with Cicero and espoused his political ideals and style. Friedrich Engels criticized Cicero for espousing republican democratic ideals while at the same time ignoring the class struggle so vital to Marxist thought.
Source: Author medvedok

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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