Enemies of Rome Quiz | Roman History

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. My name is Brennus. I beat the Romans in 387 BC and sacked Rome, except for the hill of Capitoline. Since my other enemies invaded Northern Italy, I had to leave Rome, but not without the ransom. Can you name my tribe?

Answer: Gauls

If you want to be very specific, it was the Gallic tribe of Senons. The legend has it that the Capitoline hill was left unconquered thanks to the sacred geese in the temple of Juno. Another legend has it that when the Romans paid their ransom, he put his sword into the scale, saying the famous "Vae Victis!" ("Woe to the vanquished!"). The Etruscs were the habitants of Central Italy. For some time they controlled also the Northern and Southern part, but their power wained and they were soon assimilated by the Romans. Samnites were the people of Southern Italy and were also assimilated around the 1st century BC. Illyria was the north-western part of Balkan's peninsula.

The tribes there were conquered by Rome in 3rd century BC and after integration they were valued as good soldiers.

2. I lived from 319 to 272 BC. I was the king of Epeirus and conquered Macedonia and Thessalia. In 280 I landed in Italy and won some bloody battles against Romans. Probably you have heard my quote: "Another such victory, and we are undone". In 275 I lost the battle in Beneventum and had to withdraw. I lost my life in the streetfights in Argos in 272. Who am I?

Answer: Pyrrhus

From the name of Pyrrhus the expression "pyrrhic victory" derives. Hamilcar was the father of Hannibal, in first Punic War he organised the defence of Sicily, later conquered Spain for Carthage. Leonidas was the king of Sparta, he is famous for the Thermopylae battle. Miltiades was the strategist of Athens, he commanded its troops in the battle of Marathon.

3. I was considered the greatest threat to Rome of all time. I commanded my country's army in the 2nd Punic War. Although all know me for crossing the Alps, the thing I am really proud of is the battle of Cannae. Who am I?

Answer: Hannibal

It ended badly for Hannibal: he lost the battle of Zama in 202 BC. In 195 he went to exile, since he was afraid of getting to the hands of Romans and in 183 he committed suicide by poisoning himself.
The battle of Cannae, won by Hannibal, was one of the bloodiest in the pre-modern history and it is considered to be a work of genius.

4. My name is Eunus, probably you have not heard of me. I was a Syrian slave of Romans. I was the leader of slaves' rebellion from 136 to 132 BC and was successful: I created the state and ruled it as king Antiochos. On which island did it happen?

Answer: Sicily

He did not finish too well, either: the rebels lost to Roman consul Publius Rupilius and Eunus himself died in a Roman prison.

5. I was Eunus' colleague, but much more famous. I was a gladiator of Thracian origin and the leader of the most well-known uprising in 74-71 BC. I created mighty army, but the other rebels did not share my opinions about the rebellion, so we were divided. I lost my life in a battle in 71 BC, but I was luckier than those who survived: they were crucified by Romans. Who am I?

Answer: Spartacus

He tried to leave Italy, but his troops forced him to stay to continue plundering. Some sport clubs (Spartak Moscow for exemple) and even political parties (Spartakusbund in Germany at the beginning of 20th century) were named after him.

6. I lived from 132 to 63 BC, and was the king of Pontos. I expanded my state by conquering Bithynia and Capadoce (both in Asia Minor) and my interests clashed with those of the Romans. There were three wars: in the first I managed to sack the Roman province of Asia and the city of Athens, but I lost in Chaironeia in 86 BC. In the other two wars the Romans were also victorious. What is my name?

Answer: Mithridates

According to a legend, Mithridates was so afraid of poisoning that he drank various poisons, hoping it would give him immunity. After the defeat he fled to his son Pharnakes, but when he also turned against him, Mithridates committed suicide (or ordered a slave to kill him according to some variants). Elagabalus (Heliogabalus) was a Roman emperor at the beginning of the 3rd century AD. Menelaus is known from Trojan war: he was the husband of Helen and king of Sparta.

7. I lived from 108 to 62 BC. I was Roman, but tried to seize the power in Rome. So I organized a plot, which was discovered and my followers were arrested and killed. Cicero was my main adversary. Who am I?

Answer: Catilina

When his plot was revealed, Catilina gathered the troops in Etruria, but was defeated and killed in the battle of Pistoria. Cato is known for repeating "gentlemen, Carthago must be destroyed!" Crassus was the one to defeat Spartacus' uprising. Gracchus' brothers were Roman tribunes in 2nd century BC.

8. I was the leader of the tribe of Averns in Gaul. When Caesar invaded my land, I fought back. First I was victorious, but the luck turned and I was defeated and surrendered. Who am I?

Answer: Vercingetorix

Vercingetorix was brought to Rome and he was executed after Caesar's triumph in 46 BC. Decebalus was the leader of Dacians at the beginning of the 1st century AD; he was defeated by Trayan.
Crixus was the leader of group who separated from Spartacus' army during the rebellion and was crushed in 72 BC. I hope that no-one picked Asterix as an answer :).

9. My name is Arminius. I lived from 18 BC to 19 AD, and was the chief of Germanic tribe of the Cherusci. I started to fight for the freedom of my land and managed to inflict a heavy defeat on Roman general Varus in 9 AD. Where was the battle fought?

Answer: Teutoburg

It happened in Teutoburg Forest and after that the Romans gave up their ambitions to move further North. Later Arminius (Hermann) was killed by his own countrymen. Catalaunian battle (Campi Catalaunici), nowadays better known as Chalons, is where the last great Roman general Aetius managed to beat Attila the Hun in 451.

In the battle of Pharsalus Caesar got the victory over Pompey. Saguntum is memorable for its resistance at the outbreak of the 2nd Punic War.

10. I was the queen of Iceni tribe in East Anglia. After my husband's death, I was the one to lead my people to the uprising against the Romans in 61 AD. Unfortunately the Romans were too skillful in the art of war, and all was over in 63 AD. But I am still remembered as one of the greatest heroines of Britain. Who am I?

Answer: Boadicea

According to a legend, the reason of uprising was that Boadicea was publicly beaten by the soldiers of the emperor, and her two daughters raped. Agrippina was the wife of Roman Emperor Claudius and mother of Nero. The names Rowena and Catriona are taken from the books of Walter Scott.

Source: Author Zyxzewski

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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Enemies of Rome Trivia Quiz

Scene from the underwold: 10 shadows of the persons, who once dared to challenge Rome are sitting around the fire, everyone has a story about himself. Your task is simple: just answer one question about each of them.

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