Ancient History: Rome : Art and Culture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Ancient History: Rome

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Art And Culture

What does the word "muse" represent in Roman and Greek culture?

Possible Answers:

Doctor

Pottery

Manual Labor

Paintings

Music

Correct answer:

Music

Explanation:

The word, "muse" comes from the Greek word mousike, which means the art of music. The muses in ancient Roman literature are the carriers of music. Pottery and paintings were not around until much later in roman history through mosaics and other visual representations. Music from the muses was a large and important concept in Roman history. We can eliminate doctor and manual labor as these careers did not contribute back to the "arts"

Example Question #2 : Art And Culture

Under what Empire would a religious, sectioned, panel painting, as shown below, have been popular?

800px transfiguration of christ icon sinai 12th century

Possible Answers:

None of these

Julio-Claudian Dynasty

Byzantine Empire

Caesar's Empire

Ottoman Empire

Correct answer:

Byzantine Empire

Explanation:

The Byzantine Empire was characterized by religious panel paintings. The Ottoman Empire followed the Byzantine and was notable for the destruction of many panel paintings such as this one. If you chose Julio-Claudian or Ottoman, remember to consider the time frame of when such paintings would have been popular.  Also remember that Caesar's empire was long before the Byzantine paintings. 

Image is in the public domain, accessed via Wikipedia Media Commons: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastero_di_Santa_Caterina_(Egitto)#/media/File:Transfiguration_of_Christ_Icon_Sinai_12th_century.jpg

Example Question #3 : Art And Culture

The Acta Diurna was a(n) __________.

Possible Answers:

religious festival

hospital

aqueduct

newspaper

military formation

Correct answer:

newspaper

Explanation:

The Acta Diurna (Daily Acts) was a newspaper that was published in Rome beginning in the second century BCE. The purpose of the Acta Diurna was to inform the Roman population about Roman military campaigns, births and deaths of important people, and public gatherings.

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