Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 11 (Arts) History (Themes in World History) Chapter 5: An Empire Across Three Continents- The Roman Empire. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.
Introduction
The Roman Empire, alongside its rival the Iranian Empire, dominated most of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East during the period between the birth of Christ and AD 630, extending across three continents. Rome’s origins can be traced back to the eighth century BC, when it was founded as a small settlement on the Italian Peninsula. Over time, Rome transformed from a republic into a powerful empire, with Julius Caesar consolidating power in 37 BC. The political evolution of the Roman Empire can be broadly divided into two periods: the early empire, which lasted until the main part of the 3rd century AD, and the late empire, which followed. The transition from republic to empire was marked by Octavian, a former companion of Julius Caesar, being granted the titles of Augustus, Imperator, and Principate in 27 BC. Despite his claims to uphold the republican title of “First Citizen,” Octavian effectively functioned as the Emperor of the Roman Empire.
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Textual questions and answers
Very short answer type questions
1. Who were Remus and Romulus?
Answer: Remus and Romulus were twin brothers who, according to legend, founded the city of Rome.
2. In which year was the Republic of Rome established?
Answer: The Republic of Rome was established in 509 BC.
3. Who was the first emperor of Rome in 27 BCE?
Answer: The first emperor of Rome in 27 BCE was Augustus.
4. What was the real name of Augustus?
Answer: The real name of Augustus was Octavian.
5. Name any three buildings constructed during Augustus’ reign.
Answer: The Forum, the Ara Pacis Augustae, and the Pantheon were constructed during Augustus’ reign.
Short answer type questions
1. Write few lines on the system of Republic in Roman Empire.
Answer: In 509 BC, the Romans drove the king out of Rome and abolished monarchy. They established a republic and developed a somewhat democratic government. But the real powers lay with a Senate, a body dominated by a small group of aristocratic families who formed the nobility in practice. The common people had no control over the government.
2. Write a short note on Augustus.
Answer: Augustus brought the Pax Romana (the advantages of peace brought by Roman Rule) to the Romans and to the world. Augustus also reformed and refined the administrative system of the Roman Empire in many ways. He created a centralised system of courts under his own personal supervision and assumed direct control over provincial governors, punishing them severely for corruption and extortions. Augustus made tax collection a state function and introduced new import taxes. He appointed senators to newly created positions and throughout his reign, he consulted the Senate frequently and treated it with respect.
3. Write few lines on Augustus Army.
Answer: Augustus recruited the Roman army from the ranks of Roman citizens and officered by men from the aristocratic classes. His armies stood guard at all the frontiers and within all troubled areas in the empire. Augustus was careful to channel the loyalties of his new professional army solely in his direction. The loyalty of the troops to Augustus was assured by taking their personal oath of loyalty to him and by his role as their sole paymaster.
4. Which Roman emperor played an important role to protect the empire from disintegration?
Answer: The decay of the Empire in the third century was checked with the advent of the strong and capable emperors Diocletian (AD 284-305) and Constantine (AD 306-337). Among the policies they adopted to hold the empire together were control of prices and interest rates and export prohibitions on “strategic products” such as iron, bronze, weapons, army equipments and horses.
5. State the contribution of western Roman Empire to the world.
Answer: Despite its fall, the West Roman Empire has left a rich legacy. (i) More apparent are the material remains—the amphitheatres, arenas, temples, aqueducts, roads, and bridges. (ii) Equally important is the linguistic bequest in the form of the Romanized languages of Europe. (iii) Roman Law is very much alive in the legal systems of many countries of Europe and the America. (iv) The organisation and the rituals of the Roman Catholic Church owe much to the Roman imperial structure and religious traditions. (v) Finally, the Pax Romana which had brought two centuries of relative peace and prosperity left a tradition of imperial unity.
Long answer questions
1. What was the condition of slaves in Roman empire? Explain the main features.
Answer: The condition of slaves in the Roman Empire was brutal and dehumanizing. Slave-owners viewed slaves as mere instruments, comparable to tools or animals. Upon becoming a slave, a person lost their name, often receiving a derogatory nickname or being identified by their place of origin, like “Persian” or “Egyptian.”
Slave-owners showed no mercy, exhausting slaves with hard labour. During sowing and harvesting, slaves worked up to 18 hours a day. They were often subjected to inhumane conditions, such as being fitted with wooden wheels around their necks to prevent them from eating while milling grain. Slaves received minimal clothing, typically just one blouse a year, which would deteriorate into rags. Even these rags were taken to make quilt blankets.
After a few years, strong men often became invalids due to the harsh conditions. Those who could no longer work were abandoned to die of hunger, while new slaves were purchased to replace them.
Some slaves, known as gladiators, were trained to fight each other for the entertainment of Roman audiences in amphitheaters. These fights could be fatal, depending on the whims of the spectators. The slave-owners used cruel methods to maintain control, including imprisoning slaves at night, chaining them with heavy iron chains, and branding them with their owner’s stamp.
2. Describe the achievements of Augustus.
Answer: Augustus brought the Pax Romana (the advantages of peace brought by Roman Rule) to the Romans and to the world. His achievements may be described as under:
- The Emperor: Augustus did not seek to become an absolute ruler or despot because he respected the Senate, which had controlled Rome during the Republic. The Senate, composed of aristocrats and wealthy families, had existed for centuries. The worst emperors were those who were hostile to the Senate, often acting with suspicion, brutality, or violence.
- Re-organisation of the Army: The Roman Empire had a professional army, unlike its rivals, with soldiers serving for a minimum of 25 years. By the fourth century, the army was the largest organized body in the Empire, numbering around 600,000. Augustus recruited soldiers from Roman citizens and officers from the aristocracy, with the army guarding all frontiers and troubled areas. He maintained a small Praetorian Guard in Rome and added a standing navy. Augustus personally controlled military affairs.
- Administrative Reforms: Augustus reformed the Roman administrative system, transforming the Senate from the chief organ of the state to a more subordinate role. However, he did not undermine the Senate, appointing senators to new positions and frequently consulting them. He also drew administrators from non-senatorial ranks, creating permanent offices with long-term appointments, replacing the Republic’s preference for rotating positions.
- Art and Literature: As Rome’s leading citizen, Augustus became a key patron of the arts. His extensive building program transformed Rome, leading to his famous quote, “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.” Major monuments from his reign include his Forum, the Ara Pacis Augustae, and the Pantheon. Augustus’s style in art and architecture was a blend of conservatism and innovation, often with a Greek influence.
3. Give an account of the achievements of Constantine.
Answer: Constantine, one of the most significant emperors of the late Roman Empire, is best known for several key achievements that had a lasting impact on the empire and the broader history of the world. One of his most notable achievements was the establishment of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new capital of the Roman Empire. By founding this city on the site of the old Greek colony of Byzantium, Constantine not only shifted the center of power from Rome but also laid the foundation for the Byzantine Empire, which would survive for over a thousand years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Another major achievement of Constantine was his embrace of Christianity. He was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and played a crucial role in its spread throughout the empire. His Edict of Milan in 313 AD granted religious tolerance to Christians and allowed the religion to flourish openly. Constantine’s support for Christianity led to the eventual dominance of the religion in Europe, and his involvement in the Council of Nicaea helped to establish the core doctrines of the faith.
In addition to these accomplishments, Constantine also reformed the Roman military and administrative systems. He reorganized the army, creating a more mobile force that could respond quickly to threats along the empire’s borders. He also introduced new coinage, the solidus, which helped to stabilize the economy and became the standard currency in the Mediterranean for centuries.
4. Why is Augustus age considered golden age of Rome? Explain it.
Answer: The age of Augustus is considered the golden age of Rome due to the remarkable achievements in peace, stability, arts, and literature during his reign. Augustus’ rule marked the end of the Republic’s internal conflicts and the beginning of the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace that lasted for over two centuries. This peace allowed for economic prosperity and the flourishing of culture throughout the empire.
Under Augustus, Rome experienced a great cultural revival. He was a patron of the arts, and his reign saw the production of some of the most enduring works of Roman literature. Poets such as Vergil, Horace, and Ovid wrote during this period, producing masterpieces that celebrated Rome’s past, its gods, and the emperor himself. Vergil’s “Aeneid,” for example, became Rome’s national epic, glorifying the origins of the Roman people and the emperor’s role in their destiny.
Augustus also initiated a massive building program that transformed the city of Rome, famously claiming to have found it a city of brick and left it a city of marble. His construction projects included the Forum of Augustus, the Ara Pacis, and the restoration of many temples, which not only beautified the city but also reinforced his political and religious authority.
In governance, Augustus established a stable and efficient administrative system that allowed the empire to function smoothly. His reforms in the military, finance, and provincial administration helped to maintain the empire’s stability and prosperity. The combination of political stability, cultural flourishing, and architectural grandeur during Augustus’ reign has led historians to regard this period as the golden age of Rome.
5. How did Christianity spread in the Roman Empire?
Answer: Constantine’s pro-Christian policy accelerated conversion among the upper classes of Roman society. The emperor also took steps to convert the conservative peasantry who worshipped many pagan gods and goddesses. He made observation of Sunday obligatory, built new churches, dedicated the new city of Constantinople to the Blessed Virgin, granted alms to poorer congregations, exempted Christian priests from political obligations and compulsory labour, participated actively in Church Councils and helped to enforce the decisions of these Councils. Under Constantine, it became increasingly difficult to be anything but Christian. Constantine’s successors (except Julian AD 361-63) took more direct steps against paganism (worship of pagan gods). Death penalty was imposed on those who performed pagan sacrifices. Temple properties were confiscated by the state and given to the Church. Pagan priests were deprived of exemptions and privileges. “Heretics” (non-believers in Christianity) were driven into exile. They could not make wills or inherit property. Finally, under Theodosius I (AD 379-395), Christianity became the state religion and Catholicism the only religious faith in the empire.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Caravan city of Palmyra was destroyed by
A. Romans
B. Greeks
C. Iranians
D. All of these
Answer: A. Romans
2. When did the great Jewish revolt take place? Who was the ruler at the time?
A. 115, Tiberius
B. 193, Hadrian
C. 66-70, Augustus
D. All of these
Answer: C. 66-70, Augustus
3. What is Solidus?
A. Coin of Constantine
B. Roman Army
C. Religious Ceremony
D. Chief Justice
Answer: A. Coin of Constantine
4. The life of Augustine, bishop of Hippo, was:
A. 354-430
B. 253-268
C. 312-327
D. None of these
Answer: A. 354-430
5. What is Serapeum?
A. People of Rome
B. Temple of Alexandria
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. None of these
Answer: B. Temple of Alexandria
Competency-Based Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Match the following and select the correct option:
Column A
A. Remus and Romulus
B. Emperor Augustus
C. Stagnum
D. Constantine
E. Aristotle
Column B
(i) First emperor of Rome
(ii) Constantinople was made the capital of Rome
(iii) Supporter of Slavery
(iv) Palace built by Augustus
(v) Founder of Rome
Options:
(a) A-(v), B-(i), C-(iv), D-(ii), E-(iii)
(b) A-(i), B-(iii), C-(iv), D-(ii), E-(v)
(c) A-(v), B-(iii), C-(i), D-(ii), E-(iv)
(d) A-(iv), B-(i), C-(ii), D-(iii), E-(v)
Answer: (a) A-(v), B-(i), C-(iv), D-(ii), E-(iii)
2. Consider the following statements:
(i) Denarius was a silver coin used by the Romans.
(ii) 4.5 gm pure gold was used to make solidus.
(iii) Papyrus is a reed like plant, which is used to make writing material.
(iv) The empirical expansion of Rome was weak.
(v) Cultural diversity was found/practiced in Roman empire.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
(a) Only statement (i) and (ii) are correct
(b) Only statement (iii) and (iv) are correct
(c) Only statement (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) are correct
(d) Only statement (iv) and (v) are correct
Answer: (c) Only statement (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) are correct
3. Consider the following statements:
(i) After the death the Prophet Muhamad, large parts of both the eastern Roman and Sasanian empires had fallen to the Arabs.
(ii) In Roman empire three important positions were- Emperor, Aristocrats and Army.
(iii) The Republic lasted from 509 BC to 27 BC in the Roman Empire.
(iv) Nuclear family was practiced in Roman Society.
(v) Roman people were polytheists.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
(a) Only statement (i) and (v) are correct
(b) Only statement (iii) and (iv) are correct
(c) Only statement (ii) and (iv) are correct
(d) All the above statements are correct
Answer: (d) All the above statements are correct
4. “Diocletian change the Roman empire.” Identify which of the following statement(s) prove it.
(i) He fortified the frontiers.
(ii) He reorganised the provincial boundaries.
(iii) He separated the military functions.
(iv) He took away power from the commanders.
Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
(a) Only statement (i) and (iii) are correct
(b) Only statement (iii) and (iv) are correct
(c) Only statement (ii) and (iv) are correct
(d) Only statement (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct
Answer: (d) Only statement (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct
5. The Roman emperor who consolidated the rise of provincial upper classes so as to exclude the senators from military command was-
(a) Gallienus
(b) Tiberius
(c) Augustus
(d) Constantine
Answer: (a) Gallienus
Case-based Question
Read the following passage and answer the questions.
The Roman state was an authoritarian regime: In other words, dissent was rarely tolerated and government usually responded to protests with violence (especially in the cities of the East where people were often fearless in making fun of emperors). Yet a strong tradition of Roman law had emerged by the fourth century, and this acted as a brake on even the most fearsome emperors. Emperors were not free to do whatever they liked, and the law was actively used to protect civil rights. That is why in the later fourth century, it was possible for powerful bishops like Ambrose to confront equally powerful emperors when they were excessively harsh or repressive in their handling of the civilian population.
1. What was the nature of the Roman state?
Answer: The nature of the Roman state was authoritarian.
2. How did the state react to the protests of the people?
Answer: The state reacted to protests by responding with violence.
3. What law emerged as a brake in the 4th century on the powers of the emperors?
Answer: The law that emerged as a brake on the powers of the emperors was the strong tradition of Roman law that developed by the fourth century.
4. Besides the Roman Law, what was another check on the powers of the Emperor?
Answer: Another check on the powers of the Emperor was the powerful bishops like Ambrose who confronted emperors when they were excessively harsh or repressive.
Pictorial Questions
1. Identify the following pictures and write their name.
Answer: A. Forum B. Pont du Gard
2. Study the picture and answer the three questions based on this by choosing the correct option.
(a) What is the name of fort displayed in picture?
(i) Colosseum
(ii) Forum
(iii) Vindonissa
(iv) Pont du Gard
Answer: (i) Colosseum
(b) What was the use of these?
(i) Fight between swordsman and forest animal
(ii) For playing
(iii) For meeting
(iv) For singing
Answer: (i) Fight between swordsman and forest animal
(c) When was it established?
(i) in 79 AD
(ii) in 80 AD
(iii) in 89 AD
(iv) in 75 AD
Answer: (ii) in 80 AD
(d) How many visitors could sit here?
(i) 1000
(ii) 60,000
(iii) 80,000
(iv) more than one lac
Answer: (ii) 60,000
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. Which two powerful empires ruled over most of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East from the birth of Christ to the 630s AD?
Answer: The Roman Empire and the Iranian Empire.
2. How were the Romans and Iranians in relation to each other?
Answer: They were rivals who fought against each other.
3. What separated the Roman and Iranian Empires geographically?
Answer: A strip of land along the river Euphrates.
4. What are the three broad sources of history for the Roman Empire?
Answer: Texts, documents, and material remains.
5. What type of plant was used to create the writing material papyrus?
Answer: A reed-like plant.
6. What did the material remains of the Roman civilization include?
Answer: Buildings, monuments, pottery, coins, and mosaics.
7. Who founded Rome according to legend?
Answer: Twin brothers Romulus and Remus.
8. In what year did the Romans abolish monarchy and establish a republic?
Answer: In 509 BC.
9. Who became the undisputed master of the Roman Empire in 37 BC?
Answer: Julius Caesar.
10. What title was conferred upon Octavian in 27 BC?
Answer: Augustus.
123. What were the main factors that led to the supremacy of the Roman Papacy?
Answer: The supremacy of the Roman Papacy was established due to several key factors. Firstly, Rome’s traditional position as the centre of the Roman Empire gave the Roman Bishop a significant advantage over other Christian leaders. Secondly, the removal of imperial political authority to the East after AD 339 left the Roman Bishops as the primary authority in the West, especially after the barbarian invasions. These invasions often left the Roman Bishops as the sole temporal (political) power in the region. Additionally, the succession of very able Bishops at Rome, coupled with the unwavering orthodoxy of the Roman Bishops, helped solidify their claim to supremacy. Pope Leo (AD 440-446) further strengthened the primacy of the Roman Bishops by persuading Emperor Valentinian III to decree that Rome was to be the chief seat of ecclesiastical power for Christianity, and that the decrees of the Roman Bishop were to have the force of law for the entire church.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. Which two powerful empires ruled most of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East between the birth of Christ and the AD 630s?
A. Roman and Byzantine
B. Roman and Iranian
C. Byzantine and Iranian
D. Greek and Roman
Answer: B. Roman and Iranian
2. What natural feature separated the Roman and Iranian empires?
A. The Nile River
B. The Danube River
C. The Tiber River
D. The Euphrates River
Answer: D. The Euphrates River
3. What are the three main sources of history of the Roman Empire?
A. Texts, Documents, Pottery
B. Histories, Letters, Coins
C. Texts, Documents, Material remains
D. Monuments, Laws, Mosaics
Answer: C. Texts, Documents, Material remains
4. What was the name of the common meeting place established by the early settlers of Rome?
A. The Capitol
B. The Senate
C. The Forum
D. The Pantheon
Answer: C. The Forum
5. In which year was the Roman monarchy abolished?
A. 509 BC
B. 27 BC
C. 37 BC
D. 14 AD
Answer: A. 509 BC
6. Who became the undisputed master of the Roman Empire in 37 BC?
A. Octavian
B. Romulus
C. Julius Caesar
D. Augustus
Answer: C. Julius Caesar
7. What title was conferred upon Octavian by the Senate in 27 BC?
A. King
B. First Citizen
C. Augustus
D. Dictator
Answer: C. Augustus
8. Which phase of the Roman Empire is referred to as “The early empire”?
A. Before the 3rd century AD
B. After the 3rd century AD
C. 1st century BC
D. 2nd century AD
Answer: A. Before the 3rd century AD
9. What was the service requirement for soldiers in the Roman army?
A. 10 years
B. 15 years
C. 20 years
D. 25 years
Answer: D. 25 years
10. Which famous quote is attributed to Augustus regarding the transformation of Rome’s architecture?
A. “I found Rome a city of marble and left it a city of gold.”
B. “I found Rome a city of gold and left it a city of marble.”
C. “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.”
D. “I found Rome a city of marble and left it a city of stone.”
Answer: C. “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble.”
88. Which aspect of Roman culture is still used by scientists and doctors today?
A. Roman engineering techniques
B. Latin language for scientific names and medical prescriptions
C. Roman military strategies
D. Roman political systems
Answer: B. Latin language for scientific names and medical prescriptions
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
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