Roman Republic and Julius Caesar Quiz

Roman Army Tactics

• The Wedge was a tactic used to divide the enemy by creating a 'V' shape.
• The Repel-Cavalry was used to protect against soldiers on horses.
• The Orb was used when the army had been split, where legionaries formed a circle with their shields to protect archers and officers.

Rewards and Punishments

• Rewards for bravery included medals, arm bands, and neck bands.
• Gold crowns and silver spears were given to officers.
• Punishments for deserters, soldiers who left their post, or fell asleep on look-out included being beaten to death by their fellow soldiers.

Roman Republic Government

• The Roman Republic governed Ancient Rome for 500 years.
• Consuls were a powerful position, with two elected for one-year terms.
• Consuls decided when to go to war, how much taxes to collect, and what laws were.
• The Senate advised the consuls, and senators were selected for life.
• The Citizen Assembly (Plebeian Council) allowed common people to elect their own leaders, pass laws, and hold court.

Ancient Rome

• Rome was founded on the river Tiber in 753 BC, providing a source of water and transportation.
• The city was built on 7 hills, which helped protect them from enemies.
• The first hill built on was Palatine, and the twin brothers Romulus and Remus are seen as the founders of Rome.

Roman Society

• Roman citizens were divided into two main classes: Patricians (top of Roman society) and Plebeians (working class).
• Slaves were not seen as Roman citizens, but formed a third class.

Roman Army

• Soldiers could enroll at 18 and served for 25 years.
• During enrollment, they received a viaticum of 3 gold coins.
• They received land at retirement after 25 years of service.
• Roman soldiers walked 36 kilometers (30,000 paces) and wore armor weighing 20kg.
• They started walking with their right leg, believing the left was unlucky.

Fall of the Roman Empire

• The Roman Republic grew larger and more populated, making it difficult to maintain order and stability.
• Julius Caesar gained control, but was assassinated by senators fearing he would be made king.
• Octavian, Caesar's adopted son, emerged as the winner of a power struggle and became the first emperor of the Roman Empire, taking the name Augustus Caesar.
• Augustus expanded the empire, rebuilt its infrastructure, and made changes to Rome's system of taxation, leading to a period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.

Reasons for the Fall of the Roman Empire

• The empire stopped growing and became expensive to maintain.
• Roman officials raised taxes, making it hard for ordinary Romans.
• It became harder to become educated, and agriculture declined.
• Slave labor took work from ordinary Romans, and politics grew corrupt.
• By the end of the 5th century, the Roman empire fell under its own internal problems and external raids.