From Republic to Empire
Who was the first emperor of Rome, marking the start of the Roman Empire?
Augustus (Octavian)
Most wealthy Romans lived in small, crowded apartments called insulae.
False. Wealthy Romans lived in large homes called villas.
Nero rebuilt parts of Rome after the Great Fire.
True
What was the name of the time when Rome faced civil wars, weak emperors, and invasions before the fall?
The Imperial Crisis
What does the word barbarian mean to the Romans?
A person outside the Roman Empire considered uncivilized.
What happened to citizens’ political power when Rome changed from a Republic to an Empire?
Citizens lost influence as emperors gained total control.
The government provided free grain and entertainment to keep the poor from rebelling.
True. This policy was known as “bread and circuses.”
What was one major achievement of Emperor Trajan’s rule?
Expanding Rome’s territory and improving public works.
Name three major problems that weakened the Roman Empire before its fall.
Weak leadership, economic troubles (inflation, corruption), and invasions by foreign tribes.
During what period did Rome face civil wars, invasions, and economic collapse before the empire split?
The Imperial Crisis
What period of peace and prosperity began after years of civil war in Rome?
Pax Romana
How were the roles of men, women, and enslaved people different in Roman society?
Men held political power; women managed the household and family; enslaved people had no rights and worked for others.
Which emperor moved the capital of Rome to Byzantine?
Constantine
What kind of soldiers did Roman leaders begin hiring when the empire’s own army grew weaker?
Mercenaries — foreign soldiers who were paid to fight for Rome but were often less loyal.
What happened to Roman money and prices when emperors began reducing the gold and silver in their coins?
The debasement of coins made money worth less, so merchants charged higher prices. This led to severe inflation in the Roman economy.
What did Augustus do to bring stability to Rome after years of civil war?
He reorganized the army, improved government administration, and started the Pax Romana.
How did food and entertainment differ for rich and poor Romans?
The wealthy ate fine foods like meat and olives at banquets, while the poor ate bread or porridge and enjoyed free entertainment at the Colosseum.
Which emperor focused on strengthening and defending the empire rather than expanding it?
Hadrian
How did the Huns indirectly help cause the fall of the Western Roman Empire?
The Huns invaded Europe from Central Asia, forcing Germanic tribes like the Visigoths and Vandals to flee into Roman territory. These displaced tribes began attacking and settling inside the empire, which weakened Rome’s borders and led to the eventual collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
What was the Byzantine Empire?
The Eastern Roman Empire that continued after the fall of the West.
What monument did Augustus build to celebrate the peace and stability that began during the Pax Romana?
The Altar of Peace (Ara Pacis).
What was the name of the Roman marketplace where people shopped and met for business?
The Forum Augustus
Which emperor began the last major persecution of Christians, and which emperor later made Christianity legal?
Diocletian began the persecution; Constantine made Christianity legal.
What were two major economic problems that weakened the Roman Empire before its fall?
Heavy taxes and inflation hurt the economy. Roman coins lost value because they contained less gold and silver, prices increased, and trade declined as warfare and invasions disrupted business.
During the Imperial Crisis, what major political problem weakened Rome’s leadership?
There were dozens of emperors in only fifty years, as generals fought for power and overthrew one another.