The Late Roman Republic Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tiberius

The Gracchi family were very distinguished, and not normally very reformist. Their grandfather (also Tiberius) led an army in the punic wars, was two times consul, and was "Master of the Horse," which is second in command to a dictator; an enormous honour. His father (Again, also Tiberius), was censor, and was awarded two triumphs; a great honour.

Answer: Venus

Interestingly, Caesar, nephew of his nemesis (Gaius Marius), also claimed special favour from the same god. How fickle love is! Many famous Roman generals used supposed favour from the gods to encourage their troops. Scipio Africanus talked his troops into an audacious plan by saying the whole thing had been shown to him in a dream sent by Neptune.

Answer: Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus

In 79 BC, the brothers gave extraordinarily lavish games as curule Aediles. As proconsul of Macedonia in 72 BC, he defeated the Bessi in Thrace and advanced to the Danube and the west coast of the Black Sea. He was also a minor figure in the war against Spartacus.

Answer: Publius Cethegus

Lucullus was too proud to approach such a disreputable character directly, so instead opted for the lesser evil of seducing his mistress, and hoping that she would bring her lover on board. The ploy worked, and Cethegus' tame bloc of senators that he held some sway over was brought into Lucullus' coalition. He was appointed governor of Cilicia and was free to wage war on Mithridates.

Answer: Tigranocerta

That marked the zenith of his career. After that, he was stripped of his command by Pompey, and went on one of the most flamboyant sulks in history. He spent his vast fortune on fish ponds, which were fabulously expensive. There is an adjective Lucullan in English which means overly extravagant.

Answer: Gaius Verres

He was up against stiff opposition in Quintus Hortensius (nicknamed "The Dancing Master" because of his fancy footwork whilst speaking), the most distinguished orator of the day. Cicero presented all his evidence within ten days (a very short length of time in such trials), and managed to secure the conviction and claim Hortensius' crown.

Answer: Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus

After Caesar illegally forced through a bill, Bibulus (who had been inducted some years previously into the college of augurs) was so outraged that every day that he was in charge, he declared that the auspices were unfavourable, and the senate could not convene that day. This stalemate was only broken when Pompey (who was also an augur) allied himself with Caesar and overruled Bibulus.

Answer: Cato spoke until night fell

This was one of Cato's main talents, and Caesar had a dilemma. However, for a man as calculating as Caesar, there could only be one choice. He reasoned that he could always get another triumph, whereas his enemies could group against him if he did not win the consulship soon.

Answer: Vendetta against his father's killers

Caesar had used many methods that some had considered illegal during his consular year. He therefore needed a position that conferred immunity from prosecution, or he would lose everything.
Pompey had conquered vast swathes of territory in the East, and so Caesar wanted to equal, if not surpass, his achievements.
And money was always helpful ...

Answer: X Legio (Tenth Legion)

One time, when his army was afraid of entering a large, dark forest, in which Gauls were probably waiting in ambush, he told them that he would go on with just his Tenth if necessary. The men were ashamed of their cowardice, and all joined him. He proceeded to win a crushing victory.