The Roman Empire and Rise of Christianity Practice Test

Review the following study guides if necessary:

• The Roman Empire and Rise of Christianity
• Ancient Italy
• The Roman Republic
• From Roman Republic to Roman Empire
• The Roman Empire
• The Fall of the Roman Empire

Practice Test

1. The Etruscan civilization fell primarily because ________________.

A. it was economically poor

B. it was ethnically and religiously diverse

C. it had no standing army or navy

D. it was not politically unified

2. Under the Roman Republic, the plebeians had all the following powers except _______________.

A. they were represented by the tribunes

B. they could become senators

C. they could hold public protests

D. they could rise to the position of consul

3. The Romans defeated ________________ in the Punic Wars.

A. the Greeks

B. the Etruscans

C. the Phoenicians

D. the Goths

4. What was the primary purpose of the vast network of Roman roads?

A. efficient movement of troops

B. speed of communication

C. ease of travel for merchants and civilians

D. employment for convicts and slaves

5. The Gracchi brothers were murdered because they advocated _________________.

A. social and political reform

B. a return to the republic

C. the assassination of Julius Caesar

D. the division of the empire into two halves

6. The Pax Romana began during the reign of _________________.

A. Marius

B. Julius Caesar

C. Augustus

D. Constantine

7. The Roman state allowed the Jews many special exemptions from the rules but insisted absolutely that they must __________________.

A. pay outward worship to the Roman gods as a matter of form

B. pay extra-high taxes in exchange for their privileges

C. serve in the military for a specified term (if male)

D. remain politically loyal to the empire

8. Christianity and Judaism are similar in all these ways except _________________.

A. they both have moral codes that apply equally to all believers

B. they are both missionary religions

C. they both believe in the worship of the same god

D. they are both exclusive faiths that do not allow their followers to worship other gods

9. Constantine is historically significant because he ________________.

A. gave official sanction to Christianity

B. divided the empire into two halves

C. restored the Roman Republic

D. brutally put down a major slave rebellion

10. At its height, the Roman Empire included all these present-day European nations except _______________ .

A. Spain

B. Portugal

C. Turkey

D. Russia

Answers