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Roman Emperors : Part B Trivia Quiz

Quiz 2 in my series on the Julio-Claudian emperors. Things do get obscure, don't they?

A multiple-choice quiz by medvedok. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
medvedok

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
283,641

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1512

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Herod Agrippa, alternately affluent and destitute, was imprisoned by which emperor? Hint

Claudius

Augustus

Caligula

Tiberius

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Claudius was unfortunate in all of his marriages. Messalina was a disaster because of her nymphomania and infidelity. What Roman poet wrote a verse about her exploits? Hint

Lucan

Juvenal

Horace

Ovid

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Nero fled to Phaon's villa to hide when his soldiers defected. It soon became apparent that it was expedient to commit suicide. Who assisted him with this suicide? Hint

Lucan

Timon

His freedman, Epaphroditis

Phaon

4. Back to Claudius: Messalina and her last lover were apprehended and executed after performing a mock marriage, with plans to remove Claudius from the throne. Who was this final lover of Messalina? Hint

Lucius Vitellius

Gaius Silius

Gaius Cestius Gallus

Lateranus Plautius

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. After the Great Fire of Rome, most of the Circus Maximus was destroyed, so Nero moved arena activities, including Christian persecution, to a newer arena, Nero's Circus. Where was this arena located? Hint

Vatican Fields

Outside the Servian Wall on the Appian Way

Near the old Circus

Near the Praetorian Barracks

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. When Tiberius learned about Sejanus' treachery, he secretly denounced him to the Senate, sending Macro to Rome with a letter. What lie did Macro tell Sejanus about the contents of the letter? Hint

That more cohorts would be placed under his command

That he could marry Julia Livilla

That he would be named consul

That he would be named Protector of the People and next emperor

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which early Christian leader appealed to which emperor? Hint

Peter to Claudius

James to Caligula

Andrew to Tiberius

Paul to Nero

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Claudius was tolerant towards the Jews and their way of life. Shortly after he became emperor, he wrote a letter to the Jews of which city? Hint

Athens

Alexandria

Jerusalem

Antioch

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which Roman emperor attempted to legislate morality and marriage laws? Hint

Tiberius

Augustus

Claudius

Caligula

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. To compensate Herod Agrippa for his imprisonment, what gift did Caligula give him, besides additional lands in Palestine? Hint

Chains made of gold

A villa at Capua

1,000,000 sesterces

Syrian dancing girls

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Herod Agrippa, alternately affluent and destitute, was imprisoned by which emperor?

Answer: Tiberius

Herod Agrippa was in trouble for a bad debt, but this matter was fairly well resolved. What really aroused Tiberius' rancor was an offhand remark Herod made to Gaius Caligula that Tiberius should pass on and leave the governing of Rome to Caligula.

2. Claudius was unfortunate in all of his marriages. Messalina was a disaster because of her nymphomania and infidelity. What Roman poet wrote a verse about her exploits?

Answer: Juvenal

It is a matter of conjecture how much Claudius did or did not know about Messalina's affairs. One thing is certain---when they took on more political content with a plot to replace Claudius on the throne, Claudius flew to action and ordered her arrested. She was shortly thereafter executed.

3. Nero fled to Phaon's villa to hide when his soldiers defected. It soon became apparent that it was expedient to commit suicide. Who assisted him with this suicide?

Answer: His freedman, Epaphroditis

When his soldiers defected, Nero fled to Phaon's villa in an attempt to escape from Rome. When he learned that the Senate had declared him a public enemy, Nero decided to take his own life. He pressed a dagger to his throat and Epaphroditis helped him press the point home.

Answer: Gaius Silius

Gaius Silius was consul-designate and he divorced his wife to be with Messalina. Lucius Vitellius was a man of high moral fiber and would not have touched Messalina with a ten foot pole. Lateranus Plautius was removed from the Senate for being one of Messalina's lovers, but slightly earlier.

Answer: Vatican Fields

Most of the central part of Rome, where most of palaces, temples, and arenas were located, was destroyed in the Great Fire. A relatively undeveloped area lay across the Tiber River, and Nero opened Nero's Circus there. It was traditionally the site of the games involving the torture and execution of many Christians, including Saint Peter.

6. When Tiberius learned about Sejanus' treachery, he secretly denounced him to the Senate, sending Macro to Rome with a letter. What lie did Macro tell Sejanus about the contents of the letter?

Answer: That he would be named Protector of the People and next emperor

Sejanus asked Macro why he was not asked to deliver the letter. Macro dissembled and told Sejanus that high honors were contained in the letter, intended to be kept secret. Tiberius disallowed the marriage of Julia Livilla because she was a highborn lady of the Claudian family, and Sejanus had lowlier origins.

7. Which early Christian leader appealed to which emperor?

Answer: Paul to Nero

Paul was arrested and tried in Caesarea in 60 AD by Portius Festus. Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar and he was sent to Rome. Nero ordered his house arrest, the imprisonment was lax, and Paul was able to receive guests.

8. Claudius was tolerant towards the Jews and their way of life. Shortly after he became emperor, he wrote a letter to the Jews of which city?

Answer: Alexandria

There had been rioting near the end of Caligula's reign and many issues were left unsettled, along with a terrific loss of life. Basically, Jews in Alexandria were reacting against idols being placed around the city and in their synagogues.

9. Which Roman emperor attempted to legislate morality and marriage laws?

Answer: Augustus

Augustus took a position on the moral highground and passed a series of laws dealing with sexual morality, marriage, and family life. This was not a permanent success, however, since human behavior is very difficult to legislate. Besides, many of Augustus' contemporaries found various dodges and loopholes with relation to the Lex Julia.

10. To compensate Herod Agrippa for his imprisonment, what gift did Caligula give him, besides additional lands in Palestine?

Answer: Chains made of gold

Because chains symbolized Herod's incarceration by Tiberius, and to spite Tiberius' memory, Caligula presented Herod with chains made of gold.

Source: Author medvedok

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