Roman Republic Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Before the emperors came the Republic — explore the era of senators, consuls, and citizen soldiers that shaped Western civilization.

1.
In what year was the Roman Republic traditionally founded, after the overthrow of the last king?
A
753 BC
B
450 BC
C
509 BC
D
264 BC
2.
What were the two chief magistrates elected annually to lead the Roman Republic called?
A
Censors
B
Praetors
C
Consuls
D
Tribunes
3.
What governing body of wealthy patricians held great power throughout the Roman Republic?
A
The Tribune
B
The Assembly
C
The Senate
D
The Comitia
4.
What were the common people of Rome, as opposed to the patrician nobility, called?
A
Citizens
B
Plebeians
C
Freedmen
D
Equestrians
5.
What was the Tribune of the Plebs, a key office in the Roman Republic?
A
An elected official who could veto laws harmful to commoners
B
A judge
C
A military commander
D
A tax collector
6.
Which famous Roman orator and senator opposed Julius Caesar and defended the Republic?
A
Brutus
B
Pompey
C
Cicero
D
Cato the Younger
7.
What was the first written code of Roman law, created around 450 BC?
A
The Twelve Tables
B
The Code of Hammurabi
C
The Justinian Code
D
The Lex Romana
8.
Who led the most famous slave revolt against Rome in 73 BC?
A
Jugurtha
B
Spartacus
C
Boudicca
D
Vercingetorix
9.
What political alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus informally ruled Rome?
A
The Decemvirate
B
The Triumvirate
C
The Principate
D
The Consulate
10.
Which brothers, both tribunes, attempted radical reforms for the poor and were both killed?
A
The Gracchi brothers
B
Cassius and Brutus
C
Scipio and Fabius
D
Romulus and Remus
11.
What famous phrase, meaning 'I came, I saw, I conquered,' was coined by Julius Caesar?
A
Carpe diem
B
Veni, vidi, vici
C
Alea iacta est
D
E pluribus unum
12.
What river did Julius Caesar cross in 49 BC, an act that started a civil war?
A
The Rubicon
B
The Rhine
C
The Po
D
The Tiber
13.
What was a Roman dictator during the Republic?
A
A temporary emergency leader with absolute power
B
The head priest
C
A permanent tyrant
D
The wealthiest citizen
14.
Which Roman general is famous for his victory over Hannibal at the Battle of Zama?
A
Scipio Africanus
B
Quintus Fabius Maximus
C
Lucius Sulla
D
Gaius Marius
15.
The phrase 'crossing the Rubicon' now means what in common English usage?
A
Winning a great victory
B
Retreating from battle
C
Making a compromise
D
Passing a point of no return

Answer Key

Question 1

C. 509 BC

Question 2

C. Consuls

Question 3

C. The Senate

Question 4

B. Plebeians

Question 5

A. An elected official who could veto laws harmful to commoners

Question 6

C. Cicero

Question 7

A. The Twelve Tables

Question 8

B. Spartacus

Question 9

B. The Triumvirate

Question 10

A. The Gracchi brothers

Question 11

B. Veni, vidi, vici

Question 12

A. The Rubicon

Question 13

A. A temporary emergency leader with absolute power

Question 14

A. Scipio Africanus

Question 15

D. Passing a point of no return

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