The Early Empire
Who was the first emperor of Rome?
Augustus
Who was the well-educated Jew and Roman citizen responsible for spreading early Christianity?
Paul
Why did the size of the Roman Empire eventually become a problem?
It was too big for one person to govern
On whose traditions did the Romans base their poetry?
The Greeks
What were the stone channels designed by engineers to carry clean water into cities?
Aqueducts
What was the period of peace and prosperity that began under Augustus?
The Pax Romana
Within which community did early Christianity first develop?
The Jewish community
What did Diocletian establish when he divided the empire and shared rule with three other men?
A tetrarchy (rule by four)
What is the Roman art of public speaking called?
Oratory
Which city's ruins provide a revealing glimpse into everyday Roman life because it was "frozen in time"?
Pompeii
What did Rome use to standardize trade, collect taxes, and pay its soldiers?
A standard currency
What was the main appeal of Christianity to many people?
The promise of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus
How did constant warfare impact the Roman economy?
It interrupted trade and caused currency to lose its value
What is the term for a realistic sculpture where figures are raised against a flat background?
Bas-relief
What major product was imported to Rome from outside the empire?
Spices
What were the beautiful country homes owned by wealthy Romans?
Villas
Which emperor issued orders that ended the persecution of Christians?
Constantine
Which group invaded Rome and sacked the city in A.D. 410?
The Visigoths
What feature of the U.S. government was directly influenced by the Roman system of dividing power?
The system of checks and balances
From where did most of Rome's grain supply come?
North Africa (across the Mediterranean)
What kind of stories did Jesus use to teach moral lessons, such as "The Prodigal Son"?
Parables
Who pushed the Germanic tribes out of their lands and into the Roman Empire?
The Huns
Which institution is responsible for preserving Roman literature after the fall of the empire?
The Roman Catholic Church
What was the correct chronological order of the emperors Augustus, Diocletian, Constantine, and Theodosius?
1 Augustus, 2 Diocletian, 3 Constantine, 4 Theodosius