Roman Ruins outside Rome Trivia Quiz

Answer: Augustus

Pula is located on the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. The region was conquered by the Romans in 177 BC and with time Pula grew to become the region's administrative centre. Its location along the coast led to its development as an important port. Roman occupation has left many impressive structures in Pula.

The most notable is Pula Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater, one of the best preserved in modern times. Among other significant Roman ruins in Pula is the Temple of Augustus, a temple dedicated to the Roman Emperor Augustus.

It is believed to have been built between 1 BC - 1 AD, the period during which Augustus lived. The temple is built on a podium and has four Corinthian columns.

Answer: Jordan

Jerash is located less than 50 kms away from Amman, the current capital of Jordan. Though archaeological evidence supports human habitation dating back to the Neolithic age, the city developed and flourished under Greek rule in the 3rd century BC. In the 1st century BC, the Romans conquered the city and it became part of the Roman province of Syria. Impressive Roman ruins in Jerash include a hippodrome, two large theaters, and an oval forum, considered to be the only one of its kind.

The Arch of Hadrian is a triple-arched gateway that was built in honour of Emperor Hadrian's visit.

The main central arch was designed for chariots and horses to pass through. The two smaller entryways at the sides were for pedestrians - with one exclusively for nobility and the other for commoners.

Answer: Library

Ephesus in Turkey is another city that was initially controlled by the Greeks before it became part of the Roman Empire in 129 BC. During Greek occupation it was renowned for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The building shown in the photograph is the Library of Celsus.

It was constructed between 114-117 AD in honour of the Roman Senator Celsus. Celsus was buried within the crypt underneath the structure. The library was built to store up to 12,000 scrolls. It was one of the most impressive of its kind in the ancient world, ranking only behind the libraries at Alexandria in Egypt and Pergamum, in Turkey. Unfortunately the interior was destroyed merely 150 years later in 262 AD with conflicting accounts attributing it to an earthquake or a Goth invasion.

Answer: Wine

Baalbek is located in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon. The site is found 85 kms northeast of the national capital of Beirut. Under Greek and Roman occupation it was known as Heliopolis. Baalbek is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, being home to two of the grandest Roman temple ruins outside modern Italy.

The two temples are the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Jupiter. Bacchus is the Roman counterpart of the Greek god, Dionysus, and is associated with wine, agriculture and fertility. Jupiter is the chief god in Roman myth, the equivalent of Zeus in Greek myth.

The Temple of Bacchus is slightly smaller than the Temple of Jupiter, but is larger than the better known Parthenon in Athens, Greece.

Answer: Bullfighting

The city of Arles in the south of France was once an important stop on the ancient trade route connecting Italy to Spain. Its many Roman monuments have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1981 and earned the city the nickname of "Rome of France".

The most magnificent of these monuments is a Roman amphitheater with two tiers. The amphitheater was built to seat over 20,000 spectators who flocked to watch chariot races and other battles. It was built in 90 AD and contains 120 arches that form a ribboned shape on the exterior. La Feria d'Arles (festival of Arles) is held twice a year - one in April called the Easter Feria and one in September called the Rice Feria. Both events have bull fighting at the centre of the festivities. Crowds gather to watch the bull fights within the ancient Roman amphitheater.

Answer: Spain

The city of Segovia is located in the autonomous region of Castile and León in Spain. It is famous for its historic structures, one of which is a Roman aqueduct. Aqueducts were constructed by Romans throughout the Empire to bring water to the cities. This Roman invention helped them to ensure adequate supply to cities even from sources located well outside the immediate settlement.

The Aqueduct of Segovia is known as an aqueduct bridge as it is built at an elevated level. Its importance to the city can be gauged from the fact that it is found on the city's coat of arms. Likely built around the 1st century AD, it was constructed to bring water from the River Frio, 17 km away, to the city.

It served its purpose of bringing water to the city right until the 19th century.

Answer: Bath

Bath is located in the county of Somerset in England. Roman settlements in the region date back to 60 AD. The presence of hot springs in the area led the Romans to name the place "Aquae Sulis" ("the waters of Sulis" - Sulis was a Celtic goddess whom the Romans equated with their own Minerva).

The Roman Baths remain one of the popular tourist attractions of the city. Bath was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. Archaeological discoveries related to Roman occupation continue to be made.

In 2012, 30,000 Roman silver coins were found at a site around 150 meters from the Roman Baths.

Answer: Libya

Leptis Magna was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC but gained prominence under Roman rule. At its height, it was the largest Roman settlement in North Africa. Located along modern day Libya's coastline, it was an important trading post for the Romans.

It is also famous as the birthplace of the Roman Emperor, Septimius Severus, who reigned from 193 to 211 AD. Severus commissioned various structures in his birthplace including an amphitheater, baths, a basilica and new docks. A triumphal arch commissioned by him continues to stand and was possibly built when he toured the province as Emperor in 203.

The marble structure is decorated with motifs of both historical and religious significance.

Answer: City gate

Trier was founded in 4th century BC by the Celts, and eventually occupied by the Romans in the 1st century BC. Roman monuments and structures found in the city include an amphitheater, a Roman bridge dating back to 2nd AD, the Constantine Basilica and the largest Roman baths to be found north of the Alps. Porta Nigra (literally 'black door or gate'), along with the other monuments, forms the UNESCO World Heritage site of the city.

Originally built of grey sandstone, the structure has darkened over the years leading to the name Porta Nigra.

It was one of four city gates built by the Romans to enclose the city and the only one to survive to date. From the 11th century, it was used as a church, until in the 19th century Napoleon mandated for it to return to its original purpose, that of a city gate.

Answer: Morocco

Volubilis was first established as the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania in northern Africa in the 3rd century BC. Eventually it fell to the Romans in 44 BC with Mauretania itself being annexed by the Roman Empire. Under Roman rule, the city expanded and many important structures were built including a triumphal arch, temples and a basilica.

However, the city was not easily defended by the Romans as it lay away from their larger settlements. In 285 AD, it was conquered by the local Berber tribes and Rome did not regain control thereafter. Volubilis has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Among its attractions are the ruins of the Arch of Caracalla, the Basilica and the Capitoline Temple.

These are among the best known Roman sites in the modern day country of Morocco.