01/19/03

                  Roman Civilization Roman Republic and Roman Empire

1. How is Italy’s geography a key to Roman History?

2. How did Rome become the master of the western Mediterranean?

3. How did Rome become master of the eastern Mediterranean?

4. What was Roman society and government like during the Roman Republic?

5. What major problems did Roman farmers face after the Punic Wars and other wars of conquest?

6. What did the Gracchi brothers offer as a solution to the problems of the landless farmers?

7. Why did the rich oppose giving public lands to the poor?

8. How did changes in the qualifications for recruitment into the army contribute to the decline of the republic?

9. How did Caesar contribute to the end of the republic?

10. What happened to the republic after Caesar’s death?

11. What political actions did Octavian take to bring stability to the new Roman Empire?

12. What do you think caused the downfall and collapse of the Roman Republic?

13. Why were the Romans successful empire builders and rulers?

14. What was life like for the Romans in the first century of the empire (about 75 A.D.)?

15. What crises did the Roman Empire face in the 3rd century A.D.?

16. What steps did Diocletian take to save the Empire from collapsing?

17. What was the significance of the battle of Adrianople?

18. What caused the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire?

19. Why did Christianity become so popular with the people of the Roman Empire?

20. What did Augustine believe should be the aims of a Christian life?

21. What were the achievements of ancient Rome?

22. Describe Rome’s contributions in the law to Western civilization?