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Quiz about Quotes from Gibbon
Quiz about Quotes from Gibbon

Quotes from Gibbon Trivia Quiz


Gibbon's "Fall and decline of the Roman Empire" is almost as renowned for its prose as it is for its historical merits. Can you answer these questions relating to passages from this work?

A multiple-choice quiz by pvk. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
pvk
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
106,930
Updated
May 05 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
513
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The opening paragraph of "Decline and Fall" states: "In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilised portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the ..." Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. He continues: "Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the
executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines." By what name are these five emperors collectively known?
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. "If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world, during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of ..." Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Perhaps Gibbon's most famous quote: "But the power of __________ is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous."

Answer: (think education)
Question 5 of 10
5. Which emperor's reign inspired the following quote? "As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exalted characters." Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Who was the successor of Commodus, thus described by Gibbon? "The measures of the conspirators were conducted with the deliberate coolness and celerity which the greatness of the occasion required. They resolved instantly to fill the vacant throne with an emperor whose character would justify and maintain the action that had been committed. They fixed on ___________
, praefect of the city, an ancient senator of consular rank, whose
conspicuous merit had broke through the obscurity of his birth,
and raised him to the first honors of the state. He had
successively governed most of the provinces of the empire; and in
all his great employments, military as well as civil, he had
uniformly distinguished himself by the firmness, the prudence,
and the integrity of his conduct. He now remained almost
alone of the friends and ministers of Marcus; and when, at a late
hour of the night, he was awakened with the news, that the
chamberlain and the praefect were at his door, he received them
with intrepid resignation, and desired they would execute their
master's orders. Instead of death, they offered him the throne
of the Roman world. During some moments he distrusted their
intentions and assurances. Convinced at length of the death of
Commodus, he accepted the purple with a sincere reluctance, the
natural effect of his knowledge both of the duties and of the
dangers of the supreme rank."
Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. This emperor was killed after a short reign of less than three months. Which faction, described by Gibbon in the quote below, was responsible for his death?

"They had reluctantly submitted to [the emperor of question 6]; they dreaded the
strictness of the ancient discipline, which he was preparing to
restore; and they regretted the license of the former reign.
Their discontents were secretly fomented by Laetus, their
praefect, who found, when it was too late, that his new emperor
would reward a servant, but would not be ruled by a favorite."

Answer: (Notorious for killing many more emperors)
Question 8 of 10
8. Who established himself as the eventual successor to the emperor of question 6? Gibbon describes him as "a native of Africa, who, in the gradual ascent of
private honors, had concealed his daring ambition, which was never diverted from its steady course by the allurements of pleasure, the apprehension of danger, or the feelings of humanity. On the first news of the murder of [the emperor of question 6], he assembled his troops, painted in the most lively colours the crime, the insolence, and the weakness of the Praetorian guards, and animated the legions to arms and to revenge."
Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The emperor of question 8 married Julia Domna, and his successor was to be his son whose name was?

"Two sons, _________ and Geta, were the fruit of this
marriage, and the destined heirs of the empire. The fond hopes
of the father, and of the Roman world, were soon disappointed by
these vain youths, who displayed the indolent security of
hereditary princes; and a presumption that fortune would supply
the place of merit and application. Without any emulation of
virtue or talents, they discovered, almost from their infancy, a
fixed and implacable antipathy for each other."

Answer: (Famous for his baths and other public buildings)
Question 10 of 10
10. This emperor was killed by his soldiers and succeeded by his son. (This is actually a bone of contention: Julia Domna's sister claimed he was the son due to an uncanny resemblance with the emperor.) Which cousin of his would eventually become emperor?

"The most worthless of mankind are not afraid to condemn in
others the same disorders which they allow in themselves; and can
readily discover some nice difference of age, character, or
station, to justify the partial distinction. The licentious
soldiers, who had raised to the throne the dissolute son of
[the emperor of question 9], blushed at their ignominious choice, and turned with
disgust from that monster, to contemplate with pleasure the
opening virtues of his cousin ___________"
Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The opening paragraph of "Decline and Fall" states: "In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilised portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the ..."

Answer: provinces

The Roman Empire was divided into provinces.
2. He continues: "Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines." By what name are these five emperors collectively known?

Answer: The adoptive emperors

They were called the adoptive emperors since they were either "adopted" by the senate or their predecessor on grounds of competence and ability. Marcus Aurelius regrettably appointed his wayward son as emperor.
3. "If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world, during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of ..."

Answer: Commodus

Marcus Aurelius appointed his son Commodus as his successor. Commodus was not killed by a gladiator called Maximus, but strangled at the behest of his favourite concubine and others within the palace who feared for their own lives.
4. Perhaps Gibbon's most famous quote: "But the power of __________ is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous."

Answer: instruction

The quote pertains to Marcus Aurelius' vain efforts to educate Commodus properly.
5. Which emperor's reign inspired the following quote? "As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exalted characters."

Answer: Trajan

The quote might well be applied to Caesar, but he was never emperor. Augustus strongly urged his successors to maintain the Rhine, Danube, Euphrates and African deserts as the natural borders of the Empire. Trajan extended the Empire beyond the Euphrates as far as the Tigris and the Arab peninsula, but the Euphrates was restored as the border by his successor Hadrian.
6. Who was the successor of Commodus, thus described by Gibbon? "The measures of the conspirators were conducted with the deliberate coolness and celerity which the greatness of the occasion required. They resolved instantly to fill the vacant throne with an emperor whose character would justify and maintain the action that had been committed. They fixed on ___________ , praefect of the city, an ancient senator of consular rank, whose conspicuous merit had broke through the obscurity of his birth, and raised him to the first honors of the state. He had successively governed most of the provinces of the empire; and in all his great employments, military as well as civil, he had uniformly distinguished himself by the firmness, the prudence, and the integrity of his conduct. He now remained almost alone of the friends and ministers of Marcus; and when, at a late hour of the night, he was awakened with the news, that the chamberlain and the praefect were at his door, he received them with intrepid resignation, and desired they would execute their master's orders. Instead of death, they offered him the throne of the Roman world. During some moments he distrusted their intentions and assurances. Convinced at length of the death of Commodus, he accepted the purple with a sincere reluctance, the natural effect of his knowledge both of the duties and of the dangers of the supreme rank."

Answer: Pertinax

Character sketch: "Accurately distinguishing between the duties
of a parent and those of a sovereign, he educated his son with a
severe simplicity, which, while it gave him no assured prospect
of the throne, might in time have rendered him worthy of it. In
public, the behavior of Pertinax was grave and affable. He lived
with the virtuous part of the senate, (and, in a private station,
he had been acquainted with the true character of each individual,) without either pride or jealousy; considered them as friends and companions, with whom he had shared the danger of the tyranny, and with whom he wished to enjoy the security of the present time. He very frequently invited them to familiar entertainments, the frugality of which was ridiculed by those who remembered and regretted the luxurious prodigality of Commodus."
7. This emperor was killed after a short reign of less than three months. Which faction, described by Gibbon in the quote below, was responsible for his death? "They had reluctantly submitted to [the emperor of question 6]; they dreaded the strictness of the ancient discipline, which he was preparing to restore; and they regretted the license of the former reign. Their discontents were secretly fomented by Laetus, their praefect, who found, when it was too late, that his new emperor would reward a servant, but would not be ruled by a favorite."

Answer: praetorian guard

Gibbon notes of them: "The Praetorian bands, whose licentious fury was the first symptom and cause of the decline of the Roman empire, scarcely amounted to the last-mentioned number. They derived their
institution from Augustus. That crafty tyrant, sensible that
laws might color, but that arms alone could maintain, his usurped
dominion, had gradually formed this powerful body of guards, in
constant readiness to protect his person, to awe the senate, and
either to prevent or to crush the first motions of rebellion. He
distinguished these favored troops by a double pay and superior
privileges; but, as their formidable aspect would at once have
alarmed and irritated the Roman people, three cohorts only were
stationed in the capital, whilst the remainder was dispersed in
the adjacent towns of Italy. But after fifty years of peace
and servitude, Tiberius ventured on a decisive measure, which
forever rivetted the fetters of his country. Under the fair
pretences of relieving Italy from the heavy burden of military
quarters, and of introducing a stricter discipline among the
guards, he assembled them at Rome, in a permanent camp, which
was fortified with skilful care, and placed on a commanding
situation."
8. Who established himself as the eventual successor to the emperor of question 6? Gibbon describes him as "a native of Africa, who, in the gradual ascent of private honors, had concealed his daring ambition, which was never diverted from its steady course by the allurements of pleasure, the apprehension of danger, or the feelings of humanity. On the first news of the murder of [the emperor of question 6], he assembled his troops, painted in the most lively colours the crime, the insolence, and the weakness of the Praetorian guards, and animated the legions to arms and to revenge."

Answer: Septimius Severus

Julianus claimed the throne first. Following civil war between the lot of them, Septimius Severus became emperor. He was the only African-born emperor of Rome.
9. The emperor of question 8 married Julia Domna, and his successor was to be his son whose name was? "Two sons, _________ and Geta, were the fruit of this marriage, and the destined heirs of the empire. The fond hopes of the father, and of the Roman world, were soon disappointed by these vain youths, who displayed the indolent security of hereditary princes; and a presumption that fortune would supply the place of merit and application. Without any emulation of virtue or talents, they discovered, almost from their infancy, a fixed and implacable antipathy for each other."

Answer: Caracalla

Of Severus' attitude towards Caracalla, Gibbon writes "Impatient of any delay or division of empire, he attempted, more than once, to shorten the small remainder of his father's days, and endeavored, but without success, to excite a mutiny among the troops.

The old emperor had often censured the misguided lenity of Marcus, who, by a single act of justice, might have saved the Romans from the tyranny of his worthless son. Placed in the same situation, he experienced how easily the rigor of a judge dissolves away in the tenderness of a parent.

He deliberated, he threatened, but he could not punish; and this last and only instance of mercy was more fatal to the empire than a long series of cruelty."
10. This emperor was killed by his soldiers and succeeded by his son. (This is actually a bone of contention: Julia Domna's sister claimed he was the son due to an uncanny resemblance with the emperor.) Which cousin of his would eventually become emperor? "The most worthless of mankind are not afraid to condemn in others the same disorders which they allow in themselves; and can readily discover some nice difference of age, character, or station, to justify the partial distinction. The licentious soldiers, who had raised to the throne the dissolute son of [the emperor of question 9], blushed at their ignominious choice, and turned with disgust from that monster, to contemplate with pleasure the opening virtues of his cousin ___________"

Answer: Alexander

Elagabalus (or Heliogabalus) was Caracalla's son. Mamaea, Caracalla's sister-in-law, was Alexander's mother; both Elagabalus and Alexander Severus had to contend with the threat of Macrinus.
Source: Author pvk

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