Ancient History: Rome : Fall of Rome

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Fall Of Rome

What factor did not contribute to the fall of Rome?

Possible Answers:

Attacks and invasions by Barbarian tribes

Decreasing political effectiveness of the Senate

Decreasing loyalty of the Roman legion

Devastating climate change

Economic strife due to overspending

Correct answer:

Devastating climate change

Explanation:

The Western Roman empire did not experience devastating climate change. The other answers did contribute to the fall of Rome, indicating the complexity of its decline. It is important to remember that this decline was an extremely slow and drawn out process. Just as there is truth to the saying "Rome was not built in a day", so too did it not fall in a day.

Example Question #1 : Fall Of Rome

The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields was part of the invasion of Roman territory by __________.

Possible Answers:

Theodoric I

Odoacer

Alaric the Visigoth

Tamerlane

Attila the Hun

Correct answer:

Attila the Hun

Explanation:

The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields was fought in the middle of the fifth century, in the midst of the decline of the Western Roman Empire. It was fought between an alliance of Roman and Visigothic soldiers against the forces of Attila the Hun. The battle ended in a stalemate, but can be best understood as part of the decline of Rome. The Roman army was unable to match the range and tactics of Attila, and massive parts of Roman Europe were pillaged.

Example Question #3 : Fall Of Rome

After the Fall of Rome, what did the rulers of the empire focus on to establish themselves as a strong government?

Possible Answers:

Colonization of countries in Asia and Africa

Export taxes

Relations with neighboring countries

Separating from the Church

Government welfare

Correct answer:

Relations with neighboring countries

Explanation:

The correct answer is relationships with neighboring countries because the new government tried to model themselves after Constantinople. If you chose separating from the church, remember that Constantine brought Catholicism into Rome. They were not trying to separate until later in the Roman Empire. If you chose colonizing Asia or Africa, remember that these conquests did not begin until way later as well. Keep time frame in mind while making your choices.  

Example Question #4 : Fall Of Rome

Odoacer is notable for __________.

Possible Answers:

instituting a series of reforms of the Roman Republic

resisting the Roman conquest of central Europe

deposing the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire

destroying the Roman Senate and sacking the city of Rome

leading the eastern portion of the empire after Diocletian’s reforms

Correct answer:

deposing the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire

Explanation:

Odoacer led a revolt of the Roman armed forces during the waning days of the Roman Empire. He deposed the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus, in 476 CE, and brought to an end the rule of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer took the title of First King of Italy and enjoyed the political support of the Roman Senate.

Example Question #5 : Fall Of Rome

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire continued as __________.

Possible Answers:

the Byzantine Empire

the Ottoman Empire

the Parthian Empire

the Ptolemaic Kingdom

the Roman Republic

Correct answer:

the Byzantine Empire

Explanation:

The Roman Empire was divided into western and eastern empires during the reign of Diocletian in 285 CE. The Western Roman Empire would last for almost two centuries, before succumbing to a series of barbarian conquests and military coups; the Eastern Roman Empire, however, would last until the fifteenth century. The Byzantine Empire is the name generally used by historians to refer to the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Example Question #6 : Fall Of Rome

__________ was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

Possible Answers:

Augustus Caesar

Marcus Aurelius

Antoninus Pius

Trajan

Romulus Augustus

Correct answer:

Romulus Augustus

Explanation:

Romulus Augustus was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire. He reigned briefly in 475 and 476 CE, before being deposed by Odoacer. The end of Romulus Augustus’ reign is said to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire, although the transition was hardly smooth.

Example Question #2 : Fall Of Rome

Alaric the Visigoth is notable for __________.

Possible Answers:

surrendering to Julius Caesar in the Gallic Wars

ruling over the Eastern Roman Empire during the fifth century

defeating Julius Caesar in the Gallic Wars

leading the sack of Rome

forcing the Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity

Correct answer:

leading the sack of Rome

Explanation:

Alaric the Visigoth was the leader of a Germanic group of people (called the Visigoths) in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. He led a devastating sack of the city of Rome in 410 CE, which contributed heavily to the decline of the Western Roman Empire. It was also of great symbolic significance for people living in this time period, because it was the first time Rome had been sacked in more than seven hundred years.

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