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The Roman Empire VI Trivia Quiz

Following the death of Commodus came the thrilling year of five emperors. The winner of those bloody fights eventually established the fourth imperial dynasty, the Second Antonine dynasty known also as the Severan dynasty. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by Kserkso. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
Kserkso

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
283,593

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
402

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Publius Helvius Pertinax was the first of the five emperors to rule the Roman world in the Year of the Five Emperors. How long did his reign last? Hint

60 days

95 days

72 days

87 days

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Question 2 of 10

2. Pertinax ascended the throne after buying it from the Praetorian Guard.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. According to Cassius Dio, Julianus' last words were "But what evil have I done? Whom have I _______?"

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 4 of 10

4. After Julianus' death, the place of the emperor could only be filled by rebels agaist the latter. Severus was in Pannonia, Niger in Syria and Albinus in ________.

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 5 of 10

5. Severus fought his rival Niger in three battles. Niger was defeated in all three. Which one was fought last? Hint

Cyzicus

Issus

Nicea

Ctesiphon

6. After defeating Niger there was only one threat left, Albinus. Yet, the later was smart enough to see Severus' extreme power and allied with him, thus receiving the title of Caesar. Albinus remained effective ruler of much of the western part of the empire with support from three British legions and one Spanish. In Autumn 196 he did a foolish thing, proclaiming himself emperor. Where did Severus' and Albinus' troops meet for the final battle? Hint

Samarobriva

Parisium

Eburacum

Lugdunum

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Question 7 of 10

7. Septimius Severus had the entire empire in his hands. He secured his place as emperor through war and clever propaganda. He claimed his decent from one of the Antonines. From whom exactly? Hint

Marcus Aurelius

Lucius Verus

Antoninus Pius

Hadrian

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Question 8 of 10

8. During Severus' reign the number of legions was increased from 25/30 to 36. He also increased the number of auxiliary corps (numerii), many of these troops coming from the Western borders.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. The reign of Severus provides an interesting example of the persecution meted out to Christians under the Roman Empire. Septimius allowed the enforcement of policies already long-established, which meant that Roman authorities were now intentionally seeking out Christians.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Severus had two sons who didn't get along. There names were Geta and Caracalla. What was Caracalla's real first name? Hint

Avitus

Publius

Lucius

Alexius

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Publius Helvius Pertinax was the first of the five emperors to rule the Roman world in the Year of the Five Emperors. How long did his reign last?

Answer: 87 days

He reigned from December 31, 192 until his death on March 28, 193. Although he ruled only very briefly, many historians regard him as one of the better emperors.

2. Pertinax ascended the throne after buying it from the Praetorian Guard.

Answer: False

It was Pertinax' successor who bought the office of princeps after the Praetoruans assassinated the former. Didius Julianus offered every soldier 25,000 sestertii, outbidding City Prefect Titus Flavius Sulpicianus (the father of Pertinax's wife) who offered only 20,000. Threatened by the military, the Senate declared him emperor. His wife and his daughter both received the title Augusta.

3. According to Cassius Dio, Julianus' last words were "But what evil have I done? Whom have I _______?"

Answer: killed

The auction proved highly unpopular, and . In the face of an increasingly hopeless military situation, Julianus asked the Senate to appoint Septimius Severus as joint ruler, but Severus was nearing Rome and had no need to share power. He marched into Rome and ousted Didius Julianus (June 1, 193).

The Senate passed a motion sentencing Julianus to death, and bestowing divine honours on Pertinax. Severus had Julianus decapitated. He dismissed the Praetorian Guard and executed the soldiers who had killed Pertinax.

4. After Julianus' death, the place of the emperor could only be filled by rebels agaist the latter. Severus was in Pannonia, Niger in Syria and Albinus in ________.

Answer: Britannia

Severus was very lucky to be the nearest to the city of Rome. His luck and skill took him to the top.

5. Severus fought his rival Niger in three battles. Niger was defeated in all three. Which one was fought last?

Answer: Issus

Niger was a governor of Syria who was proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions after the murder of Pertinax and the auctioning off of the imperial title to Julianus. Among the provinces that fell under his direct control was Aegyptus (vital for grain supplies) and he also enjoyed support from the government of Asia Minor. Septimius Severus succeeded in taking Rome first, and he then marched east to destroy Niger and his support. Niger was defeated at Cyzicus and Nicea (in 193) and then, definitively, at Issus (in 194).

He then retreated to Antioch but was killed while attempting to flee to Parthia.

Answer: Lugdunum

In February 197, Albinus met Severus' army at the Battle of Lugdunum. After a hard-fought battle, with 150,000 troops on either side recorded by Dio Cassius, Albinus was defeated and killed himself.

7. Septimius Severus had the entire empire in his hands. He secured his place as emperor through war and clever propaganda. He claimed his decent from one of the Antonines. From whom exactly?

Answer: Marcus Aurelius

It gave him great popularity. Hence the name "The Second Antonine Dynasty". The name Antonine became kind of a title, just like August or Caesar. This we find out in "Historia Augusta" which provides nothing but praise for the Antonines, and despise for the Severs.

8. During Severus' reign the number of legions was increased from 25/30 to 36. He also increased the number of auxiliary corps (numerii), many of these troops coming from the Western borders.

Answer: False

He changed the number of legions to 33. Most auxiliaries came from the Eastern borders.

Answer: False

That was the policy used before Severus. Now when people were accused of being Christians they could either curse Jesus and make an offering to Roman gods, or be executed.

10. Severus had two sons who didn't get along. There names were Geta and Caracalla. What was Caracalla's real first name?

Answer: Lucius

Upon his death in 211, Severus was deified by the Senate and succeeded by his sons, Caracalla and Geta, who were advised by his wife Julia Domna. The stability Severus had provided the Empire was soon gone under their reign.
To be continued ...

Source: Author Kserkso

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