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Quiz about Augustus An Interesting Fellow

Augustus: An Interesting Fellow! Quiz

Let's take some time to get better acquainted with our ole friend 'Gus'!

A multiple-choice quiz by chiquita_91827. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
chiquita_91827

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
259,341

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1876

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 136 (5/10), Guest 107 (7/10), Guest 69 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The conventional date of Augustus' birth is: Hint

July 23, 63 BC

August 23, 63 BC

September 23, 63 BC

October 23, 63 BC

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Question 2 of 10

2. Augustus' first betrothal was to a certain Servilia; this was cancelled due to more advantageous prospects. In 43 BC Augustus was betrothed to Claudia: what was Augustus' political reason for entering into this? Hint

Claudia was the daughter of Lepidus

Claudia was the step-daughter of Marc Antony

Claudia came from a high ranking senatorial family

Claudia was the daughter of a provincial ruler

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Question 3 of 10

3. Augustus' first marriage in 40 BC to Scribonia was done to cement an alliance with whom? Hint

S. Pompeius

M. Claudianus

L. Antonius

T. Nero

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Question 4 of 10

4. Numismatics: on an Augustan coin, what letters would indicate that Augustus was Caesar's 'divine son'? Hint

DIVI F

IMP CAESAR F

VRB ROM F

PP F

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Question 5 of 10

5. Amongst many of the new additions to Roman governance, Augustus added the Vigiles in 6 AD; what was their function? Hint

A new pontifical college of priests

The first formal police and firefighters

To manage the grain shortages

Ensured fair taxation in Rome and in the provinces

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Question 6 of 10

6. Lepidus died in 13 BC. When did Augustus officially get 'voted' the title of Pontifex Maximus? Hint

March 6, 13 BC

March 15, 13 BC

March 6, 12 BC

March 15 12 BC

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Question 7 of 10

7. Why did Augustus wait a while to take the title of Pontifex Maximus? Hint

Augustus held Lepidus too highly to dishonour him

It was not an illustrious role, and Augustus didn't care to challenge Lepidus

He wanted to remove connections to political corruption and illegitimacy

Augustus didn't have a strong enough backing to take the title

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Question 8 of 10

8. Again, going back to Augustus' reforms in governance, what were the 'Amici Caesaris'? Hint

A sounding board for senatorial addresses

A propagandist branch of civil governance

An informal group of advisors

Augustus' personal body guard

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Question 9 of 10

9. What powerful 'gens' was Augustus born into? Hint

Livii

Octavii

Vipsanii

Claudii

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In April of AD 13, Augustus left four documents with the Vestal Virgins; of the four we have his catalogue of achievements, which were to be set on two bronze pillars in front of his mausoleum. There are three surviving copies of this. Where is the main one located? Hint

Caesariensis

Tarraconensis

Alexandria

Ancyra

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Dec 19 2024 : Guest 136: 5/10
Nov 20 2024 : Guest 107: 7/10
Oct 23 2024 : Guest 69: 7/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The conventional date of Augustus' birth is:

Answer: September 23, 63 BC

This is the conventionally accepted date; unfortunately, we have no way of knowing EXACTLY when he was born.

Answer: Claudia was the step-daughter of Marc Antony

Claudia was the daughter of Fulvia and P. Claudius. The betrothal was agreed upon after the battle of Mutina to secure an alliance with Antony as well as to enforce their Triumvirate connection (43 BC). In 41 BC Augustus returned Claudia to Fulvia in response to anti-Gus sentiments that her mother was a part of.

3. Augustus' first marriage in 40 BC to Scribonia was done to cement an alliance with whom?

Answer: S. Pompeius

Pompey's pirates were plaguing Sardinia and Sicily; Augustus wanted to secure the safety of the Mediterranean passage and to ensure that grain was available in Rome. Marrying the aunt of Pompey's wife, Augustus was able to secure an unsteady peace for the time being; ultimately, the liberty which Pompey received allowed his supporters to return from the East (39 BC) - among them was Augustus' future wife Liva.

4. Numismatics: on an Augustan coin, what letters would indicate that Augustus was Caesar's 'divine son'?

Answer: DIVI F

The typical form would be 'CAESAR DIVI F' = 'son of the divine Caesar'
As a note:
VRB ROM = mint marks for Rome (the F was added on for fun)
IMP CAESAR F = Imperator (honorary title and eventual praenomen of Emperors) Caesar (another designation for Emperors) F (Filius 'son') *totally made up, but a combination of existing marks
PP F = Pater Patriae "father of his country" (again the F was just added in)

5. Amongst many of the new additions to Roman governance, Augustus added the Vigiles in 6 AD; what was their function?

Answer: The first formal police and firefighters

At the time of their creation there was an obvious need for them: in 5 AD there was a 7 day flooding of the Tiber River and there were electoral disturbances, and in 6 AD there was another grain shortage (again in 7 AD). There were divided into 7 groups, and each was responsible for two districts within the city of Rome.

6. Lepidus died in 13 BC. When did Augustus officially get 'voted' the title of Pontifex Maximus?

Answer: March 6, 12 BC

Until 13 BC Augustus was in Gaul. On March 6, 12 BC Augustus was officially given the title of his 'father', Julius Caesar.

7. Why did Augustus wait a while to take the title of Pontifex Maximus?

Answer: He wanted to remove connections to political corruption and illegitimacy

Augustus wanted to restore the position to its former dignity, and throughout his Res Gestae he insists that he has "taken no magistracy contrary to custom". He was interested in maintaining and promoting a pan-Roman sense of morality and virtue.

8. Again, going back to Augustus' reforms in governance, what were the 'Amici Caesaris'?

Answer: An informal group of advisors

The 'Amici' were not necessarily friends of Augustus, but their function was to meet privately and discuss issues and plans which would then be presented to other groups/counsels. This was an important political distinction for each individual member, but to be removed from this group likely meant the end of your political career or your life.

This custom was not maintained much past the early stages of Tiberius' reign.

9. What powerful 'gens' was Augustus born into?

Answer: Octavii

This was a rich and infuential plebeian family in ancient Rome. Later he was adopted posthumoulsy by Julius Caesar, to whom he was already distantly related. His family tree is very complicated.

Answer: Ancyra

The main inscription is found at the 'Monumentum Ancyranum'. Inscribed on the walls of the temple to Rome and Augustus is this text which appears in Latin and is paraphrased in Greek. There are two other inscriptions found at Apollonia and Antioch.

Source: Author chiquita_91827

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