Five Great Generals from Ancient Roman History Quiz

Answer: Gnaeus Julius Agricola

General Arigcola was appointed Governor of England by Emperor Domitian in 77 CE and remained in that position until 85 CE when he was recalled to Rome.

Gnaeus Julius Arigcola was born to a wealthy and politically influential family. Thus, he held several prominent political positions before his appointment as Governor of England. His construction of a series of forts at strategic locations helped Rome to solidify its position in Britannia. He led campaigns that secured for Rome territories in Wales and other areas in northern England.

He was recalled to Rome by Emperor Domitian likely because he was gaining too much power and prestige for the emperor's liking.

Answer: Scipio Africanus

Scipio Africanus had a 100% victory rate. At the Battle of Llipa, near present day Seville, in Spain, Scipio defeated a larger force of Hannibal's brother Maco Barca in 206 BCE. His tactics influenced many Roman generals after him. At Llipa he attacked early before the Carthaginian force had breakfast, and put his best fighters on the flanks.

While at one time a Roman hero, he passed his later years in relative obscurity.

Answer: True

True. Flavius Stilicho was known for his victories against the Visigoths in 402 CE at the Battle of Pollentia and the Battle of Verona. Both victories secured the Western Roman Empire for a while longer. He repelled yet another attempt by Germanic tribes to invade Italy in 406 CE.

He tried to unite the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, during his decade long tutelage of Emperor Honorius, but political intrigue led to his execution.

Answer: Flavius Belisarius

General Flavius Belisarius attempted to restore Rome to its past glory in the 5th century CE under Justinian I. It was Justinian's goal to re-unite the Western Empire and Easter Roman Empire, which was was termed the Byzantine Empire after its capitol Byzantium (later Constantinople, later Istanbul). With his many victories in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, Belisarius came close to reuniting the two halves, but jealousy and political intrigue at court led to his downfall.

He is often called the last great Roman because he adhered to the Roman virtues of honor, loyalty, and dignity.

Answer: Scipio Africanus

Scipio Africanus was extremely popular with the Roman public and with his army. His aristocratic bearing inspired his troops and his appreciation of Greek philosophy and culture endeared him to the Roman high society. His victory over Hannibal during the 2nd Punic War at the Battle of Zama served to enhance his popularity and influence, and opened the way for Rome's control of North Africa. Of course, such attributes give rise to jealousies. Cato (the Elder) was Scipio's chief rival.

The rivalry resulted in Scipio's retirement.

Answer: all of them

Flavius Stilicho has also been described as the most powerful man in the Roman Empire during his time. He won many victories against the Vandals and Germanic tribes that preserved Rome's Western Empire. Had Stilicho not been executed in 408 CE, many historians believe that the Visigoth's sack of Rome in 410 CE would not have occurred.

Answer: Gnaeus Julius Agricola

The Battle of Mons Graupius, though a Roman victory, was Rome's final major attempt to conquer Scotland. The Romans were led by General Gnaeus Julius Agricola. The Roman's opponent was the Caledonian Confederacy, a group consisting of Celtic tribes who fought valiantly against the Romans. Ultimately deciding that conquering Scotland and holding it was not worth the cost both in men and material, Rome settled for a northern boundary set by Hadrian's Wall.

Answer: Nero Claudius Drusus

Nero Claudius Drusus (38B CE - 9 CE) was a gallant and well-respected general. He won victories against many of the Germanic tribes, such as the Usipetes and Tencteri. While Rome never won complete control over Germany, Drusus led his army as far north as the Elbe River. He was only 29 years old when he died in a riding accident. He fathered two sons, Germanicus and Claudius. Claudius became Emperor Claudius in 41 CE.

Answer: Vandal

From 435-439 CE the Vandals won control over Carthage and the western Mediterranean trade routes. In 455 CE they destroyed and looted Rome, but did not occupy it. The Vandalic War took place from 533-534 CE in which a large force from the Eastern Roman Empire led by Flavius Belisarius defeated Vandal King Gelimer.

The defeat of the Vandals restored Roman control over Carthage and the western Mediterranean for a short time.

Answer: Nero Claudius Drusus

Nero Claudius Drusus was the brother of Emperor Tiberius and the father of Emperor Claudius. He was also the stepson of Emperor Augustus. Nero Drusus spread Roman influence over much of Germany during the period 12 BCE to 9 BCE, while winning victories over Germanic tribes and taking the Roman army further than any Roman army had been before, to the banks of the Elbe River.