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Roman History for Experts Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Roman History for Experts Quizzes, Trivia

Roman History for Experts Trivia

Roman History for Experts Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
29 quizzes and 340 trivia questions.
1.
  SPQR - Res Publica   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
The Roman Republic was one of the greatest polities the world has ever known: test your knowledge of its rise to glory and fall from grace.
Difficult, 25 Qns, brutus_cassius, Oct 26 12
Difficult
brutus_cassius
2701 plays
2.
  What do you know about The Roman Empire?   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
A factual quiz concerning the evolution of the Roman Empire.
Difficult, 15 Qns, FrancuDaniel, Oct 22 12
Difficult
FrancuDaniel
1166 plays
3.
  Rome: Augustus to Marcus Aurelius   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Have fun with this one its my last quiz on Rome. (No fill in the blank questions).
Tough, 25 Qns, usher17, May 08 17
Tough
usher17
1620 plays
4.
  Ranks and Terms of the Roman Legion    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is on the military terms used to describe units and individual soldiers in both the Army of the Republic and the Imperial Legions.
Tough, 10 Qns, trojan11, Nov 25 08
Tough
trojan11
663 plays
5.
  Family Ties in the Julio-Claudian Dynasty   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The marriage of Livia and Augustus united two aristocratic families into the first dynasty of Imperial Rome. Test yourself on their complicated family tree. Questions refer only to genuine, rather than adoptive family relationships.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Finduskeepus, Aug 18 08
Difficult
Finduskeepus
1534 plays
6.
  Roman History from Augustus to Constantine   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz covering Roman History from Augustus to Constantine. This is my first quiz, so you probably got off lightly. All information can be found in the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire". Enjoy!
Tough, 10 Qns, teebaum, Jun 16 19
Tough
teebaum
Jun 16 19
1919 plays
7.
  Army of the Early Roman Empire   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz deals with the basic make up of the Roman legion in the early days of empire. Although similar to the Army of the Republic, the Imperial legions underwent some significant changes in the early years of imperial rule.
Difficult, 10 Qns, trojan11, Sep 13 08
Difficult
trojan11
1444 plays
8.
  Christians and Romans    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about events in early Christian history and the concerns of some of the Julio-Claudian emperors with new religious movement.
Difficult, 10 Qns, medvedok, Mar 14 08
Difficult
medvedok
1111 plays
9.
  The Late Roman Republic    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Caesar and Cicero, Cato and Crassus, Marius and Sulla, Pompey and Lucullus. The fantastic cast of characters that populates this period makes it deserving of yet another quiz.
Tough, 10 Qns, Grugni, May 08 10
Tough
Grugni
501 plays
10.
  Questions on Ancient Rome    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A mixed bag of questions on Ancient Rome. Relax and enjoy!
Difficult, 10 Qns, spatha5, Jun 06 12
Difficult
spatha5
2941 plays
11.
  The Roman Empire V    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Hello! This is the fifth part of this quiz! Check how much you know about the second period of the Antonines.
Tough, 10 Qns, Kserkso, Mar 16 14
Tough
Kserkso
547 plays
12.
  Random Republican Roman Rumblings    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
A collection of random facts and/or factoids about the Roman Republic (753BC-133BC).
Difficult, 20 Qns, messalla, Sep 02 19
Difficult
messalla
Sep 02 19
1048 plays
13.
  Roman Kings    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz on the Roman monarchy. It starts with Romulus and Remus, and ends with the start of the Republic in BC 509.
Tough, 10 Qns, ibarrera15, Mar 20 12
Tough
ibarrera15
288 plays
14.
  Roman Imperialism under the Republic    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Attempt this quiz about the growth of the greatest empire that Europe has ever known; test your knowledge of famous figures like Caesar and Scipio.
Difficult, 15 Qns, wyrmirae, Apr 30 04
Difficult
wyrmirae
1370 plays
15.
  Ancient Roman History II    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
My second quiz based on Ancient Roman History. Again, it's based on my university notes and course readings.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Quellehisiel, Dec 21 09
Difficult
Quellehisiel
1447 plays
16.
  The Roman Empire III   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is the third part of the quiz about the Roman Empire. Test your knowledge on the subject of Imperial Rome's second dynasty, the Flavians. Good luck!
Difficult, 10 Qns, Kserkso, Sep 13 12
Difficult
Kserkso
1310 plays
17.
  The Mysterious Etruscans    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Before the rise of Rome the Etruscans held sway over much of ancient Italy. While their origins are nebulous we do know a lot about them. Do you know more than the average barbarian?
Tough, 10 Qns, hispidus, Nov 15 04
Tough
hispidus
860 plays
18.
  The Roman Empire II    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Greetings once more! This is the continuation of my first quiz about the Roman Empire. If you found the former hard, wait until you see this one. :) Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, Kserkso, Feb 05 08
Tough
Kserkso
587 plays
19.
  Ancient Rome: How well do you know it?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz tests your knowledge of Roman history and civilisation, from the earliest years until the fall of the mighty empire.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Aarchemon, Jun 28 12
Difficult
Aarchemon
471 plays
20.
  The Roman Monarchy    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a fairly challenging quiz about the short but memorable Roman Monarchy. Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, aseitz86, Dec 20 10
Tough
aseitz86
1078 plays
21.
  Fall of Roman Republic    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will test your knowledege of the last generation of the Roman Republic, from the retirement of Sulla to Caesar crossing the Rubicon.Questions appear in chronological order.
Tough, 10 Qns, l'histoire, Mar 06 09
Tough
l'histoire
1421 plays
22.
  Incident on the Appian Way    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In the first century BCE (the last years of the Roman Republic), Publius Clodius Pulcher and Titus Annius Milo met on the Appian Way. One of them died there. How much do you know about this important step towards the end of the republic?
Difficult, 10 Qns, tamrof, Sep 04 11
Difficult
tamrof
247 plays
23.
  Roman Legions Quiz    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz on how much you really know about the individual Roman Legions. For some it will be easy, for others hard ...
Difficult, 10 Qns, Optiow, Apr 16 10
Difficult
Optiow
415 plays
24.
  History of the Earlier Republic    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz will test knowledge of the republic from the expulsion of the kings to the Spanish War. This quiz is a little random.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Bulk, Oct 12 05
Difficult
Bulk
576 plays
25.
  The Roman Empire VII    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The succession of Caracalla and Geta brought the empire some turmoil days that set the base for the third century crisis. Enjoy!
Difficult, 10 Qns, Kserkso, Aug 21 08
Difficult
Kserkso
319 plays
26.
  Rome Before the Punic Wars    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A basic quiz on the wars and conflicts of Ancient Rome before the Punic Wars. Check it out!
Tough, 10 Qns, BakedPotato, Sep 12 11
Tough
BakedPotato
631 plays
27.
  The End of the Republic    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The first in a series of quizzes about the end of the Republic.
Difficult, 10 Qns, bulk, Oct 18 05
Difficult
bulk
764 plays
28.
  Miscellanea Romana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Useless trivia from Roman antiquity.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Dr.Rome, Mar 15 02
Difficult
Dr.Rome
1301 plays
29.
  Later Roman Empire    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz contains questions pertaining to both the Christian and Pagan milieu of the Later Roman Empire from the death of Marcus Aurelius (180 AD) to the reign of Justinian in the east.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Boethius, Mar 01 13
Difficult
Boethius
874 plays

Roman History for Experts Trivia Questions

1. What is considered to be the traditional date of the founding of the Empire (The Principate)?

From Quiz
The Roman Empire

Answer: 27 B.C.

On this date Octavianus received the sacral title of Augustus and adopted the title of Imperator Caesar Augustus divi filius. He was also considered Princeps Civitatis (the first of the citizens/senators), Pontifex Maximus (High Priest, a kind of forerunner of the Pope), Consul, Tribune of the people. All these titles singified that he was the undisputed ruler of the Rome, with powers above all the great political figures Rome had before. Strangely enough, in theory, Rome was still considered a Republic.

2. Who was the last Roman king?

From Quiz Ancient Rome: How well do you know it?

Answer: Lucius Tarquinius Superbus

The last Roman king was Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. He reigned until the famous uprising that led to his disposal and establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC. Romulus Augustus was the last official Roman Emperor in the West. Julius Nepos was the emperor who reigned before Romulus. Servius Tullius was a Roman King, but not the last one.

3. When Romulus and Remus were young adults, what did they like to do with their spare time?

From Quiz Roman Kings

Answer: Raid pirates and return stolen goods

Romulus and Remus indeed liked to raid pirates and return the stolen goods to their rightful owners. This led to them being ambushed by pirates, and Remus was taken to Alba Longa where he met his grandfather Numitor. Thereupon Romulus organized a force to rescue his brother and forced Amulius to abdicate and restored Numitor to the throne. From there they set off to found their own city. (Obviously, this is myth, not history).

4. The Gracchi brothers set the ball rolling with their planned reforms. But who was the elder of the two?

From Quiz The Late Roman Republic

Answer: Tiberius

The Gracchi family were very distinguished, and not normally very reformist. Their grandfather (also Tiberius) led an army in the punic wars, was two times consul, and was "Master of the Horse," which is second in command to a dictator; an enormous honour. His father (Again, also Tiberius), was censor, and was awarded two triumphs; a great honour.

5. The III Augusta Legion was unique in where it was positioned in the Empire in the first century AD. What was unique about it?

From Quiz Roman Legions Quiz

Answer: Only legion in Senate Province

The III Augusta was the only legion of Rome at that time which was controled by the Senate. All others were placed in territories directly under the Emperor's control.

6. What was the title of the commander of a legion?

From Quiz Army of the Early Roman Empire

Answer: Legatus legionis

The legion under the empire was commanded by a legatus legionis. Under the Republic a legate could be of almost any age, background or seniority. But under the more nepotistic system of the empire, most appointees had already worked their way through the Roman magisterial ranks and had been praetors (senior magistrates). This kind of background became the norm, thus making the legateship of a legion a definite step forward in the Roman hierarchy. The post of legate was held for about three years and generally led, at the end of tenure, to the governorship of a small province.

7. What were the light armed troops of the middle period of the Roman Republic known as?

From Quiz Ranks and Terms of the Roman Legion

Answer: Accensi

The Accensi (as described by Livy) were the light armed troops of the middle period of the Roman Republic. Later this term term was used to denote soldiers' servants and non-combatant personnel in general.

8. Caracalla and his brother, Geta, did not get along as well as their father had hoped. Quite the contrary! Caracalla had Geta murdered thus gaining sole power. When did that happen?

From Quiz The Roman Empire VII

Answer: December, 211

Following Geta's assassination, Caracalla issued a "damnatio memoriae" and ordered his name to be removed from all inscriptions. Caracalla also used this opportunity to proclaim proscriptions against his enemies claiming that they had formed a conspiracy with his murdered brother.

9. The common people of Rome were known as what?

From Quiz Ancient Roman History II

Answer: Plebeians

Plebeians, or plebs, were basically made up of people who were not part of the patrician ranks, or the higher classes.

10. After the fall of Vitellius, Vespasian waited until the situation cooled off a bit by staying in Alexandria. Vespasian had gained much support there. Why is that?

From Quiz The Roman Empire III

Answer: There were rumours that he could heal the blind and crippled with his touch

It gave him great popularity with the poor masses because they liked mysticism a lot.

11. After they had murderd Caligula, the conspirators were hoping for the restoration of the republic. Yet they failed to notice that there was one more Julio-Claudian alive: Claudius. Where did the praetorians find him hiding? behind what?

From Quiz The Roman Empire II

Answer: behind the curtains

After finding him, he was proclaimed emperor although he didn't want it. The confirmation of the Senate was quick as well as of all the other institutions.

12. Who was the first Emperor of Rome?

From Quiz Roman History from Augustus to Constantine

Answer: Augustus

The legendary Romulus was the first ruler of Rome, circa 753 B.C.E., and he was not an Emperor but a king. Many mistakenly think that Julius Caesar became the first Emperor but he never put on the purple. Caligula was the third Emperor (we'll get to him later)

13. Who was Germanicus' brother?

From Quiz Rome: Augustus to Marcus Aurelius

Answer: Claudius

Claudius reigned for 13 years and proved to be a very good general. He invaded Britain and died in 54 AD.

14. Greece invades Italy! Who invaded, and where was he from?

From Quiz Rome Before the Punic Wars

Answer: Pyrrhus of Epirus

He was king of the Epirotes and had recently lost the kingdom of Macedon when the Tarentines called upon him to protect him from the invading Romans.

15. After the Romans drove out the Etruscan Kings, Tarquinius Superbus raised an army at Veii. He met the Romans at an indecisive battle. What was the name of that battle?

From Quiz History of the Earlier Republic

Answer: Silva Arsia

All of these locations were locations of battles. Aricia is where the Latins and Cumae defeated Arruns, the son of Lars Porsenna. Lake Regillus is where the Romans defeated Mamilius Octavius. Algidus Pass is where the Aequi were deposed from Mt. Algidus.

16. To the Greeks they were the Tyrrhenoi. The Romans referred to them as the Tusci. What did the Etruscans call themselves?

From Quiz The Mysterious Etruscans

Answer: Rasenna

The Kemet (the "people of the black soil") were the Egyptians. A Pelasgian was a generic Greek term for a prehistoric person and/or a foreign person. The Rutuli were a tribe of ancient Latium whose king, Turnus, was defeated by Aeneas. Rasenna, according to Dionysius, was the eponym by which the Etruscans described themselves.

17. In which war did Roman soldiers first fight overseas?

From Quiz Roman Imperialism under the Republic

Answer: First Punic War

It was indeed in the First Punic War (264-241BC) that Roman soldiers first fought overseas. Depending on how your describe 'overseas' this would either be their invasion of Sicily or Regulus' assault on North Africa in 256-5 BC.

18. The standard armour of the legion was 'lorica segmentata' but what was the name of the scale type of battle corsette?

From Quiz Ancient Rome

Answer: Lorica Squamata

Scale armour was one of the oldest metal defences known to man and the Romans used it for some eight centuries or more. Its inspiration obviously comes probably from the appearance of fish scales or possibly from an animal called the Pangolin. Scale armour was cheaper to produce than mail or plate armour and was easily maintained by the soldier himself. In this form scale armour lasted in Europe until well into the Middle Ages and until the late 19th century in the East.

19. By tradition, what year marks the beginning of the Roman Monarchy?

From Quiz The Roman Monarchy

Answer: 753 B.C.

Romulus and Remus argued about who would be the first king of their new city and who should name it. When Romulus cut the new city in half, Remus crossed the boundary therefore defying the gods, so Romulus was justified in killing Remus and named Rome after himself. (This of course is a matter of mythology, not history).

20. Lucius Cornelius Sulla strengthened the position of this class in Roman politics.

From Quiz Fall of Roman Republic

Answer: Senatorial class

Sulla transferred power over the courts to the Senate and nullified many tribunician powers.

21. In what year was the Roman Republic founded?

From Quiz SPQR - Res Publica

Answer: 509 B.C

In 509 B.C. the son of Etruscan king of Rome, Tarquinus Superbus, violated the wife of a prominent Roman aristocrat. Brutus, whose family had been persecuted by the Tarquins, rose to the opportunity and rallied the native Roman aristocrats and plebs against the foreign rulers. The wars against the Etruscans were brutal, and constituted civil war in a sense, as many Romans chose to remain loyal to the Tarquins; amongst this number were Brutus' own two sons, whom he had executed under his very eyes in spite of the Senate's decision to spare their lives. Brutus too was to die before the Tarquins were decisively beaten.

22. Which famous orator was the principal teacher of Marcus Aurelius?

From Quiz Later Roman Empire

Answer: Fronto

Many of Fronto and Marcus Aurelius' letters survive today which discuss the maxims of oratory and Stoic {philosophy;} they also include sharp invective against the Christians.

23. Pliny the Elder recommended placing a brassiere on one's head for what purpose?

From Quiz Miscellanea Romana

Answer: Curing headaches

See A. Richlin, 'Pliny's Brassiere' in J. P. Hallett and M. B. Skinner, eds. 'Roman Sexualities' (1997), pp. 197-220.

24. What was the battle where the Germanic tribes defeated the Roman legions in 9 AD?

From Quiz The Roman Empire

Answer: The Battle of Teutoburg Forest

The Germanic tribes of the Cherusci, led by Arminus, inflicted a devastating defeat on the three Roman legions commanded by Quintilius Varus. This defeat determined Octavianus Augustus to instate the so called "Pax Romana", deciding to focus on the defense of the Roman borders, instead of the expansion of the Empire.

25. Who were the first consuls of the Roman Republic ?

From Quiz Ancient Rome: How well do you know it?

Answer: Lucius Junius Brutus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus

Lucius Junius Brutus and Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus were actually the leaders of the uprising in 509 BC and thus the first consuls.

26. When Romulus and Remus debated on which hill to lay the foundation, on what did they agree would be a sign from the gods as to who is right?

From Quiz Roman Kings

Answer: Vultures flying overhead would indicate the right brother

When the two were debating they agreed that whoever saw the most vultures flying overhead would decide where to site the city. Romulus claimed to have seen more and immediatly started laying foundations which angered Remus and led to him leaping over the foundations laid by Romulus. This in turn angered Romulus and he killed his brother on the spot. The other choices seem plausible omens but they weren't the ones that the two brothers agreed on.

27. At the time that one of them died, Milo and Clodius were both running for public office. Which one was standing for the office of praetor?

From Quiz Incident on the Appian Way

Answer: Clodius.

Milo was a praetor, and was trying to become consul - the highest political post in Rome. Unfortunately, the fallout from this incident ensured that nether man would hold office again.

28. Lucius Cornelius Sulla claimed special favour from this God:

From Quiz The Late Roman Republic

Answer: Venus

Interestingly, Caesar, nephew of his nemesis (Gaius Marius), also claimed special favour from the same god. How fickle love is! Many famous Roman generals used supposed favour from the gods to encourage their troops. Scipio Africanus talked his troops into an audacious plan by saying the whole thing had been shown to him in a dream sent by Neptune.

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