Roman Emperors : Part A Trivia Quiz

Answer: Augustus

Augustus, despite the fact that he was the master of the Roman world, was known for the disarming, gentle demeanor of his face. This event occurred, of course, long before Augustus became emperor. Tiberius usually wore a dour, severe expression on his face, Caligula could not be described as having a "gentle countenance." Claudius, although he slobbered when he was angry, usually had an affable manner and a pleasant face, but he was never outside of Italy until his campaign in Britain.

Answer: Nero

Nero, acting with or without advice, made this proposal to the Roman Senate. Although the measure seemed humanitarian, his advisers felt that it would not be the best idea for the fiscal survival of Rome.

Answer: Caligula

Caligula was no doubt one of the most idiosyncratic of the Julio-Claudians, and this statement is being kind. After his severe illness, after which he emerged a complete tyrant, he delighted in asserting his power over everyone with threats and executions. Since he considered himself to be a god, he could do no wrong.

Answer: Tiberius

Tiberius had an illustrious military career, particularly against rebel tribes in Germany. Augustus used him often because of his military competence. Augustus himself, although a brilliant statesman, lacked military acumen, but he did surround himself with competent military men, particularly Marcus Agrippa. Caligula went on an abortive campaign to Gaul and Britain, but his military booty consisted of seashells. Claudius undertook the conquest of Britain, but, before this, had no military experience. Nero had no interest in military affairs; one reason for his downfalls was his inability to win favor with the legions.

Answer: Claudius

Herod Agrippa acquired more territories when Herod Antipas was deposed by Caligula. Herod Agrippa was a boyhood friend of Claudius, who made him king of Judea and further extended his territories and authority. This proved to be a great disappointment to Claudius, however.

His lifelong friend betrayed him, building an arsenal and fortifying Jerusalem, with the implied intent to rebel against Rome. For a few years, however, Judea was practically a semi-autonomous state, always under the watchful eye of the emperor, of course.

Answer: Tiberius

When Tiberius was serving Augustus on the German front, his brother, Drusus the Elder, was injured as a result of falling from his horse. Gangrene set in and he quickly succumbed, but not before Tiberius rode 500 miles from Rome to be with him. Claudius had a brother, Germanicus, but he never traveled outside of Italy, except during his campaign in Britain. Nero had no blood brother, and Caligula's brothers were dead by the time he became emperor.

Answer: Augustus and Claudius

Both Augustus and Claudius were deified. Tiberius, due to lack of popularity, was not, and Caligula, on becoming emperor, yielded to senatorial and popular opinion on the matter. Caligula himself, having ruled as a tyrant, was obviously not deified, nor was Nero.

Answer: Nero

Nero took a freedwoman in his household as his mistress, Claudia Acte. He eventually discarded her to marry Poppaea Sabina, but Acte continued to love Nero all her life. When Nero died, by assisted suicide, she buried him in the tombs of the Domitii. Nero's family name was Lucius Domitius.

Answer: The assassins' motives were in question

Claudius had a curious conundrum with regard to the assassins, particularly with Cassius Chaerea, their leader. No one argued that the assassination of Caligula was not a glorious deed. However, each soldier of the Guard swore an oath of loyalty to the emperor, which was violated by murdering Caligula. Claudius determined that, at least in Chaerea's case, he was more motivated by personal injuries under the guise of a supposed political agenda, i.e., the restoration of the Republic.

Answer: We can only conjecture about his involvement

This has been speculated by scholars, particularly since Claudius left the theater before Caligula on the day of the assassination. The very best we can say is that we can only conjecture and speculate.