Ancient Rome I Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Senate and the people of Rome

SPQR - Senatus Populusque Romanus.

Did you know that the Emperor Caligula's name translates into "little boots"? As a little boy, he used to dress up in military clothes and thus got the nickname from his father's soldiers.

The Roman soldier's sandal type shoes were called "caligulae".

Answer: Julius Caesar

Caesar was a very powerful general and is considered one of the greatest leaders of ancient Rome. He was not emperor because Rome was a republic at the time of his rule. In 44 B.C he was murdered by his own senators, who felt he had become too powerful and was likely to crown himself emperor.

Answer: A shrine

Ancient Roman homes usually had a shrine called the "lararium", which served as a place of worship. Liquids such as milk, oil and wine were poured over the sacrificial fire lit on the altar.

Answer: Chariot races

Ancient Romans were allowed to place bets only on chariot races or gladitorial fights. Gambling on other occasions was illegal, but probably there were secret houses where men gambled with dice and coins.

Answer: A gladiator who fought animals

A gladiator who fought ferocious animals was called a Bestiarius. Roman people loved to watch contests between gladiators and wild animals. The men in question were only armed with a whip and a spear and the death rate was high for the animals. The Romans also enjoyed the sport of bear-baiting, in which specially trained dogs were made to attack a chained bear.

Answer: All gods

The Pantheon was originally dedicated to not one god, but to all the ancient Roman gods. The Pantheon, which had the biggest dome of its time, was later used as a Catholic church.

The Romans were very careful builders. In order to ensure that a wall was perfectly straight, they used a weight on a string (plumb bob). This gave them a vertical line.

Answer: Man/Goat

Faunus, the Roman god of woodlands, was often accompanied by half man, half goat creatures called fauns. During the Lupercalia festival held in his honour, priests (called "Luperci") walked the streets wearing goatskin and hit passers by with belts made of goatskins.

Answer: Castor and Pollux

The two brothers Castor and Pollux (also called Polydeuces) were known as the "Heavenly Twins". They were associated with the star constellation Gemini. Two of the brightest stars in the constellation were named after the twins.

Answer: Military oath

When a Roman soldier enrolled in legionary service, he swore a solemn military oath to the general and the emperor promising that he would fulfill his duties even to the point of death.

Answer: The Eagle

To an ancient Roman soldier, the most important standard was the legionary eagle. Usually made of bronze or silver, it was the symbol of Rome's power and the legion's honour. It was considered shameful to lose it.