Rome Was Not Built in a Day Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dacia

Locate in Trajan's forum, Trajan's Column commemorates the Emperor Trajan's conquest of Dacia, a large area of Eastern Europe that includes parts of Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary.

The Dacian Wars were triggered partly by the threat from the Moesia - a Roman province, and the need to acquire more resources for the Roman Empire. Initially, Trajan had defeated the Dacian King Decebalus during the conflict between Rome and Dacia in 101-102 A.D. Decebalus though rebuilt his powers leading a second conflict between 105-106 A.D.

The column itself stands 125 ft tall - including its base - depicting the battles between the Roman and Dacian forces. Originally, there was a statue of the Emperor Trajan standing on top of the column. When this statue was lost during the Middle Ages, Pope Sixtus V had a statue of St Peter placed on top of the column in 1587.

Inside the column is a spiral staircase, leading to an observation platform near the top of the column.

Answer: A shopping mall

Designed by Apollodorus of Damascus, it is believed Trajan's Market was constructed between 100 to 110 A.D. Located at one end of the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the market is recognised as one of the world's oldest shopping malls; however, it is also believed the market was a centre for administration during the life of the Emperor Trajan. As well as a number of goods and services that were once on offer at the market, Roman citizens could collect a daily allocation of grain to make bread, given to them free of charge.

During the middle ages, additional levels were constructed on top of the original market, along with a tower in the early 13th century. In addition, a convent was constructed on the site, though this was removed in the early part of the 20th century in a bid to restore the area.

Today, a number of areas of the market are still accessible to the public, including the Museum of the Imperial Fora, containing many artefacts discovered in a number of forums that were once located in Rome. In addition, there are the remains of a library, halls and apartments within the market complex.

Answer: Concrete

Although the use of concrete only began to come into widespread use with the invention of Portland cement, evidence of mankind using concrete in construction goes back to around 6500 BC. By 700 B.C the Nabataeans - who occupied parts of what is now Syria and Jordan - had perfected hydraulic lime (the basis for cement used in concrete) constructing kilns to make mortar for building walls. However, it was the Romans that began using concrete on a wider scale, having perfected techniques not only to stop the concrete from cracking whilst it cures, but also to set whilst submerged in water by adding volcanic ash.

Known as Opus Caementicium - from which the word cement originates - Roman concrete contained a mixture of aggregate of stones, broken tiles and bricks mixed with a mortar. The only real difference between Roman concrete construction and modern concrete constructions is the latter uses steel reinforcing bars to strengthen the construction.

The construction of the Pantheon dome is a testament to the durability Roman concrete, and it is one of the best preserved Roman buildings surviving today.

Answer: Chariot Racing

Located between the Aventine and Palatine hills in Rome, the Circus Maximus was a popular venue for the citizens of Rome to visit to watch a combination of chariot racing and horse racing take place. In addition, athletics, plays, gladiatorial combat, wild beast hunting and religious feasts also took place at the Circus.

With a capacity of approximately 150,000 spectators, the first events to take place in the Circus can be traced back to when Rome was under the control of the Etruscans, with the Circus consisting of a temporary track and stands. It was during the age of the Roman republic that more permanent structures were built on the site.

The Circus was rebuilt under the Emperor Augustus - the first emperor of Rome - after a fire in 31 B.C., complete with an Egyptian obelisk that he had transported to Rome from Heliopolis. Later, the Emperor Claudius made attempts to solve the problem of the Circus being flooded by a stream that runs though the valley where the Circus was located - a problem which persisted during the Circus' use.

By the 6th century A.D. the Circus had fallen into disuse, its stonework being used to construct other buildings. Over time, flooding from the stream that runs through the Circus has buried the original track under approximately 6 metres of soil deposits. Nowadays, the Circus is a public park, used also for meetings, concerts and celebrations.

Answer: True

Since the earliest times of the Roman Empire, it was a custom to bury the deceased outside the city walls, given the ground within the walls of Rome was considered sacred.

Whilst it was not an uncommon practice for those of low status to be buried in a roadside ditch, those Roman citizens of importance - rich, military figures or governors - could be interred in large tombs or mausoleums along the roadside, a practice that occurred throughout the Roman empire.

In addition, shrines and also columbariums (buildings to hold the cremated remains of people) could also be found beside important roads. As the age of the Republic gave way to the age of Imperial Rome, roadside burials increased in popularity, with catacombs being constructed. By the 4th century A.D. the catacombs became a fashionable place for Christians to be interred.

The Appian Way - named after Appius Claudius Caecus who began the construction of the Appian Way in 312 B.C. - was once an important route between Rome and Brindisi, located in modern Southeast Italy. It was once part of a larger network of roads that eventually stretched throughout the Roman Empire. Parts of the Appian way still exist, complete with the stones that made up the road surface.

Answer: Concerts / Opera

Constructed in the early half of the 3rd century A.D., the Baths of Caracalla were once the second largest bath complex in Rome. Given the baths were open to the public then, it would not be uncommon to see those of lower status - such as merchants - bathe alongside those of higher status.

The baths took their name from the nickname of Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus - a Roman emperor who had for a time during the construction of the bath ruled the Roman Empire alongside his father Septimius Severus.

The baths remained in use until the 6th century A.D. when Ostrogoths invaded Rome under Theoderic the Great. However, despite the destruction of the water supply that provided the baths with water, the hypocaust system remained in use for many centuries afterwards.

As well as pools, the baths contained a series of rooms that were either heated or cold, along with a gymnasium and even a public library. In fact, the baths were more akin to a modern leisure centre, such was the decoration and facilities found in the bath complex.

Open to the public, the baths do have certain areas that have restricted access to preserve mosaic floors. The grounds surrounding the baths also hosted the Rome Grand Prix between 1947-51. In addition, the baths are also home to the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma which use the bath complex as a summer home for outdoor performances.

Answer: True

The largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire, construction of the Colosseum began during the reign of the Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.D. and was completed during the reign of his son Titus. The Colosseum was then further modified under Vespasian's second son Domitian. Since these three Emperors were part of what was known as the Flavian dynasty, the Colosseum originally took its name as the Flavian Amphitheatre. However, it is believed the Colosseum acquired its name from a large statue of Nero that was once erected outside the Colosseum.

In addition to gladiatorial combat and spectacles involving wild animals, the arena floor could be flooded so that important sea battles could be re-enacted for the public. However, the Colosseum had a darker part to play in Roman history, becoming a venue for public executions, most notably the execution of Christians.

Holding an estimated 65,000 spectators, the Colosseum continued to be used up to the early Medieval Period when it fell into disuse. As the Colosseum began to decay, building materials were taken from the site, and much of the elaborate equipment used during Roman times to stage events was lost. After this period, people began living in the Colosseum, building not only homes but workshops. In the 12th century AD the Colosseum was fortified, being used as a castle for the Frangipani family.

It was under the reign of Pope Benedict XIV in the 18th century that the Colosseum was declared a sacred site - due to the fact many early Christians became martyrs there. As such, the Colosseum became protected to prevent its fabric being destroyed for construction of other buildings. Under the reigns of his successors, restoration of the Colosseum began to take place, with even Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, beginning the restoration of what remained of the arena floor.

Answer: The Emperor of Rome

Constructed upon the Palatine Hill - overlooking the Circus Maximus - lie the ruins of a vast complex that was once home to the Emperors of Rome. The most central of the seven hills that made up ancient Rome, the Palatine Hill is said to be the site of a cave in which a she-wolf raised Romulus - who was said to have founded Rome - and his brother Remus.

Although evidence of occupation on the hillside can be traced to around 10,000 B.C., it was between 5th to 1st centuries B.C. that the hill became a home to affluent Romans during the Age of the Republic.

During the age of the Roman Empire, the first Emperor of Rome, Augustus, built a residence and temple dedicated to Apollo overlooking the Circus Maximus. His son Tiberius and successive emperors also built residences on the side of the Palatine Hill, either overlooking the Circus Maximus, or the Forum Romanum on the other side of the hill. Today the ruins of Augustus, Tiberius and Domitian's palaces can still be visited, along with the remains of the House of Livia - the wife of Augustus.

In addition, the Hippodrome of Domitian was also located on the hill. Regardless of the fact that the hippodrome was too small to hold events such as chariot and horse racing, it is believed the hippodrome was used to exercise and stable for horses as well as foot races. In 2007 A.D., a cave was found under the Palatine Hill and despite the fact that the cave is partially collapsed it could be seen that it was richly decorated in mosaics and shells.

Answer: Egypt

Although pyramid-like structures can be found in areas of the world such as South America and Asia, it is with the Egyptian culture that most associate the construction of pyramids.

At the beginning of the Roman empire, Egypt was an ally of Rome, governing a large area from southern Syria to neighbouring Libya in the west and Nubia in the south. Once ruled by pharaohs, during Roman times Egypt was ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty. Egypt eventually became a Roman province after the defeat of forces loyal to the last in the Ptolemaic line, Cleopatra VII, who committed suicide following the death of her lover, the infamous Marc Anthony. This occurred after the fall of Alexandria to forces loyal to Octavian - who went on to become the first Roman emperor, Augustus.

The pyramid depicted in the image is actually a tomb for a magistrate named Gaius Cestius. Having been incorporated into the city walls, the Pyramid of Cestius is one of Rome best preserved buildings from the age of the Roman Empire. Built between 18-12 B.C. the pyramid stands 37 metres tall, and is of brick and concrete construction covered in marble slabs. Inside the pyramid is a barrel-vaulted room decorated in frescos, which only became accessible to the public by special appointment in 2015.

Incorporated into the Aurelian Walls, the Pyramid of Cestius is situated near to the Porta San Paolo which was once one of the gateways into Rome.

Answer: Water

As Rome grew in size, there was a need to supply fresh water to the city, therefore in 312 B.C. construction of the first aqueduct to supply water to Rome was built by Appius Claudius Caecus - who was also responsible for the construction of the Appian Way. Since aqueducts use gravity to help the flow of water, the source of water to the aqueduct needs to be higher than its final discharge point. As such aqueducts usually follow contours in hills, using bridges - as depicted in the image - to cross valleys.

As Rome grew in size, more aqueducts were built, not just to supply drinking water, but for the many baths, fountains and gardens that were once found in Rome. The source of water for a number of aqueducts that supplied Rome originated from springs located in the Anio (Aniene) Valley region that is the source of the River Aniene. In addition, aqueducts also supplied water to farms and was even used in Roman industry for mining and water mills.

With the growth of the Roman Empire, many aqueducts were constructed in other Roman provinces. Such was the durability of Roman aqueducts that many were maintained long after the fall of the Roman Empire, with some still today carrying limited water supplies. Two of the most notable surviving Roman aqueducts are the Pont du Gard in southern France and the Aqueduct of Segovia in Spain.