The Roman Empire 25/7/2011 Background/ Revision Exercise This unit will start in approximately the year 60 BC. The purpose of this lesson, however, is to briefly consider what had happened before this date. Some of the people in your team were in the Roman Republic unit last semester. They will have 20 minutes to explain the answers to the questions below to their teammates. We will then have a quiz where each of these questions are asked (no notes allowed). Initially, only the newbies will be entitled to answer each question. Only if none of the newbies can answer a question will the Republicans be allowed to answer. The team gains one point for a correct answer and loses one point for a false answer. The winning team takes all (the lollies).

Q) In what year was the mythical foundation of the Rome?

Q) In what year was the mythical foundation of the Rome? A) 753 BC

Q) How, according to Roman mythology, did the city acquire its name?

Q) How, according to Roman mythology, did the city acquire its name? The twins, Romulus and Rhemus, having escaped the wrath of their uncle and been raised by a shepherd established a village of their own on the Capitoline Hill. The twins could not agree on who should name and rule their new village. A fight broke out and Romulus won, killing his brother, Rhemus, in the process.

Q) Name three advantageous aspects of Rome’s location and geography...

Q) Name three advantageous aspects of Rome’s location and geography... A) * The seven hills of Rome provided strong defensive positions * Fertile soil due to volcanic activity (although volcanic activity was also responsible for malaria infected swamps * Easy access to the sea * The island in the Tiber made it possible to bridge the river – hence the main North-South trade route passed through Rome * No marks for “position in the Mediterranean” – this only became really important from the 3rd century B.C.

Q) What were three ways that the Romans were influenced by the Etruscans (who ruled them for much of the 6th century BC)?

Q) What were three ways that the Romans were influenced by the Etruscans (who ruled them for much of the 6th century BC)? A) * Building of the Roman forum * Building of the Cloaca Maxima (great sewer) * Use of the arch in construction * Religion: augury, necropolises

Q) In what year was Tarquin “The Proud” overthrown by Lucius Junius Brutus and the Republic estabilished?

Q) In what year was Tarquin “The Proud” overthrown by Lucius Junius Brutus and the Republic estabilished? A) 509 BCE

Q) Take the name Gaius Julius Caesar. Which is the first name Q) Take the name Gaius Julius Caesar. Which is the first name? Which is the family name? Which is the clan name?

Q) Take the name Gaius Julius Caesar. Which is the first name Q) Take the name Gaius Julius Caesar. Which is the first name? Which is the family name? Which is the clan name? A) Gaius = first name Julius = clan name Caesar = family name

Q) ‘patrician’ vs. ‘plebean’ Patricians were from noble families (traditionally, the founding families of Rome). Over the course of the Republic they had been the most powerful class, controlling politics and religion. Plebeians: the commoners… Second-class citizens for much of the Republic. This had diminished over time