Roman Republic: By the Numbers Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year was the last Roman King deposed and the Roman Republic established?

Answer: 509 BC

The last Roman king was Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. He reigned until the famous uprising, led by Junius Brutus and Collatinus, which ended with his being deposed and the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BC.

2. In what year did the Decemviri publish the Twelve Tables of Roman law ?

Answer: 449 BC

The Twelve Tables was the legislation that stood at the foundation of the Roman Law. It was published by the Decemviri, wich was a group of ten men, initially consisting only of patricians (451 BC).

3. In what year did the first war with Carthage (First Punic War) begin?

Answer: 264 BC

The Punic Wars were one of the most important military campaigns in Roman History: Rome had to face one of its most formidable opponents - Carthage. Although the Romans had experience only in fighting on land, in order to win this war, naval battles were necessary. The First Punic War finally ended after more than 20 years of fighting, with a peace treaty and the victory of Rome.

4. In what year did the wars with Carthage end? (Third Punic War).

Answer: 146 BC

During this war, the Roman Republic faced one of the most brilliant generals in history (Hannibal Barca), who proved to be a serious threat, winning decisive battles, such as the Battle of the Trebia, the Battle of Lake Trasimene and, most famously, the Battle of Cannae.

These wars represented Rome's first overseas conquest, and a significant gain in territory, resources and fame, having conquered vast territories in North Africa and defeated one of the strongest civilizations at that time.

5. The Gracchi brothers were considered to be among the most significant of the "populares", because of their attempted reforms. In what year was Tiberius Gracchus elected tribune and afterwards assasinated by the senate?

Answer: 133 BC

The Gracchi brothers were plebeian "nobiles", that were both elected in the office of tribune and attempted to pass land reform legislation. According to this legislation, the poor, who didn't claim any land, would be offered land from the patricians and the rich population that held too much land.

The Senate, wich was formed mostly of patricians and equites (rich plebeians) disapproved, because this would diminish their wealth. Having gained the support of the mob (the populace), and thus a lot of power, the Senate believed that the Gracchi brothers planned to proclaim themselves kings.

Therefore, with this excuse the brothers were assassinated. These events marked the beginning of the fall of the Republic.

6. How many times was Marius Gaius elected to the office of consul?

Answer: 7

Marcus Gaius is known for his military reforms of 107 BC and also for his popularity and successful political career, being elected as consul 7 times!

7. Marcus Crassus was defeated and killed at Carrhae. In what year did this happen ?

Answer: 53 BC

Marcus Crassus was probably the richest man in the Republic by that time, but that wasn't enough for him. Unlike his rival Pompey, he didn't really have any military achievements, except for the victory against the rebel slaves, led by Spartacus. Therefore, in order to gain more popularity, he started a millitary capaign in Parthia. Because of the harsh conditions in the desert, which the Roman soldiers weren't used to, they had a serious disadvantage.

They were ambushed, mostly by cavalry (mounted archers) and eventually defeated at Carrhae in 53 BC.

8. Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River without disbanding his army in what year?

Answer: 49 BC

According to Roman Law, a general was obliged to disband his army before reaching the borders of Italy. The Rubicon River marked that border, and when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon it led to civil war. Caesar entered Rome afterwards with his loyal legions, when Pompey fled, together with most of the city.

9. In what year did the naval battle of Actium, between Octavian and Marcus Antonius take place ?

Answer: 31 BC

In order to become the sole ruler of Rome, Octavian had to defeat one more foe, Marcus Antonius. The reasons on wich Octavian declared war to Antonius were various. According to his testament, Antonius wished to be buried in Egypt, he adopted the Egyptian religion, had children with Cleopatra, in other words, he wasn't really a roman anymore.

The Battle of Actium in 31 BC was the decisive battle that marked the person that would rule Rome entirely, Octavian.

10. In what year was Octavian proclaimed "Augustus" by the Senate, becoming the sole ruler of Rome?

Answer: 27 BC

The Fall of the Republic began about 100 years earlier, since the assassination of the Gracchi borthers in 133 BC, when Sulla used his army in order to extend his dictatorship, and mainly when Julius Caesar, after winning the civil war, declared himself dictator for life and was afterwards assassinated.

It was already clear that the power couldn't be held much longer by the senate, and that ultimately it would be possessed by one powerful and ambitious person. Caesar's adoptive son, Octavian had only one more foe that stood in his way, Marcus Antonius.

A few years, after defeating him, he was officially declared by the senate: "the first man" (principes), with the title "Augustus" and thus became the first Roman Emperor.

Source: Author Aarchemon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This is a quiz that consists mainly of questions regarding dates, years in which important events took place in the Roman Republic. Let's see how well you are prepared. Good luck !

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