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A Walk in Ancient Rome Trivia Quiz

I'm Caius your tour guide for today, the Ides of March. Everyone ready? Let us begin and have fun in the greatest city on earth.

A multiple-choice quiz by Fiachra. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Fiachra

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
174,920

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2377

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. "The large square where we begin our tour is known to Romans by which of these names?" Hint

Forum

Circus

Colosseum

Catacomb

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. "That thin hungry looking gentleman with the scrolls must be going to the Basilica"? Is he going to pray?

Yes

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. "As we proceed with our tour you will notice the tall buildings where the poorer Romans live". What are they better known as? Hint

Insulae

Domus

Villa

Tenement

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "I must apologise for that dreadful smell, it's garum". What did Romans do with garum? Hint

Wore it

Washed it

Ate it

Beat it

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. "In front of you is the Colosseum, our great amphitheatre. The games have been cancelled due to last nights dreadful storm." How many could the stadium hold? Hint

12,000

20,000

50,000

60,000

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. "What is the noise? Where is everyone going? It must be the free grain which is given to the poor." Under what name would the Romans recognise this gift? Hint

Libra

Dole

Salarium

Obol

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. "I've never seen so many people running. Perhaps it is a funeral." Where were rich peoples ashes buried? Hint

Catacombs

Columbaria

Vomitoriums

Ludos

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. "Who said murder? Who was murdered on the Ides of March?" Hint

Marcus Aurelius

Julius Caesar

Caligula

Nero

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is dreadful news. Let us seek refuge for a time in my uncle's peristylum?" Where did our plucky tourists hide? Hint

Private walkway

Tavern

Hall

Bath

10. "Again let me apologise, Ladies and Gentlemen. My uncle insists you stay as his guests overnight. The common people are enraged and it is not safe to stir outdoors." In which room would the tourists dine? Hint

Triclinium

Culina

Cubicula

Atrium

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "The large square where we begin our tour is known to Romans by which of these names?"

Answer: Forum

This was the marketplace, Romans gathered here to buy and sell. Politics was passionately discussed here too, especially when orators addressed the people.

2. "That thin hungry looking gentleman with the scrolls must be going to the Basilica"? Is he going to pray?

Answer: No

Basilicas were law courts which along with the Senate, and the Temple of Vesta surrounded the Forum.

3. "As we proceed with our tour you will notice the tall buildings where the poorer Romans live". What are they better known as?

Answer: Insulae

These were huge blocks of flats (apartment blocks). Poor people rented a room, and believe it or not, access to the upper floors was by a wooden ladder.

4. "I must apologise for that dreadful smell, it's garum". What did Romans do with garum?

Answer: Ate it

Garum was a fish sauce, apparently it was very smelly. Before the days of fridges meat went rotten easily and the Romans disguised this with sauce.

5. "In front of you is the Colosseum, our great amphitheatre. The games have been cancelled due to last nights dreadful storm." How many could the stadium hold?

Answer: 50,000

The Colosseum was a huge venue where games, contests, fights, etc. were held. There was a big parade held prior to the event, it was called a "pompa".

6. "What is the noise? Where is everyone going? It must be the free grain which is given to the poor." Under what name would the Romans recognise this gift?

Answer: Dole

The free grain was called dole. The slaves in the rich houses often ate better than the poor as such free gifts were rare.

7. "I've never seen so many people running. Perhaps it is a funeral." Where were rich peoples ashes buried?

Answer: Columbaria

A coin called an obol was placed in the corpse's mouth to pay the ferryman to take the soul across the River Styx to eternity. Professional mourners were hired, the funeral was a great spectacle.

8. "Who said murder? Who was murdered on the Ides of March?"

Answer: Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Senate. Legend and Shakespeare claim that on the eve of his death there was a terrible storm. "The ghosts did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets".

9. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is dreadful news. Let us seek refuge for a time in my uncle's peristylum?" Where did our plucky tourists hide?

Answer: Private walkway

This would have been relatively safe. It was enclosed by high walls and was reserved for the use of a particular household.

Answer: Triclinium

Romans laid out on sofas to eat, the food was arranged on plates on a table and slaves poured out the wine. Romans often ate til they were stuffed. They then went out, where a servant tickled their throats with a feather, they got sick and then rejoined the feast.

Source: Author Fiachra

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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