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Later Roman Empire Trivia Quiz

This quiz contains questions pertaining to both the Christian and Pagan milieu of the Later Roman Empire from the death of Marcus Aurelius (180 AD) to the reign of Justinian in the east.

A multiple-choice quiz by Boethius. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Boethius

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
77,106

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
869

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which famous orator was the principal teacher of Marcus Aurelius? Hint

Ausonius

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Fronto

Demosthenes

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which philosopher, who remained in dutiful correspondence with the emperor Julian, wrote the treatise 'On the Gods'? Hint

Lactantius

Porphyry

Celsus

Sallust

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Question 3 of 10

3. Name the philosopher and statesman who was unjustly imprisoned and executed under the Ostrogothic king Theoderic in AD 524 for an alleged conspiracy?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which Christian divine was known as the 'Golden-Mouthed'? Hint

Gregory Nazianzus

Dionysius the Areopagite

John Chrysostom

Simeon Stylites

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Question 5 of 10

5. What Latin historian brilliantly documented the annals of the Later Roman Empire from AD 354-378? Hint

Tacitus

Sozomen

Evagrius Scholasticus

Ammianus Marcellinus

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which emperor was renowned for his extraordinary size and strength? Hint

Maximinus

Majorian

Maxentius

Magnentius

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which Christian emperor was responsible for closing the Athenian Academy? Hint

Theodosius

Constantius

Constantine

Justinian

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which bishop wrote the 'Lives of Illustrious Men'? Hint

Augustine

Jerome

Ambrose

Athanasius

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Question 9 of 10

9. What Greek god did Commodus model himself after? Hint

Zeus

Hercules

Apollo

Achilles

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which pagan senator pushed to have the Altar of Victory restored in Rome? Hint

Symmachus

Curtius Rufus

Boethius

Tiberius Gracchus

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which famous orator was the principal teacher of Marcus Aurelius?

Answer: Fronto

Many of Fronto and Marcus Aurelius' letters survive today which discuss the maxims of oratory and Stoic {philosophy;} they also include sharp invective against the Christians.

2. Which philosopher, who remained in dutiful correspondence with the emperor Julian, wrote the treatise 'On the Gods'?

Answer: Sallust

Sallust was among the primary proponents of Julian's 'great cause,' which sought to restore Paganism once again as the state religion.

3. Name the philosopher and statesman who was unjustly imprisoned and executed under the Ostrogothic king Theoderic in AD 524 for an alleged conspiracy?

Answer: Boethius

While Boethius awaited his trial and execution he wrote the monumental work 'The Consolation of Philosophy'--a work that profoundly influenced medieval thought.

4. Which Christian divine was known as the 'Golden-Mouthed'?

Answer: John Chrysostom

There is no proof that the nickname 'golden-mouthed' was used during the life of John Chrysostom (AD 347-407), although it was in common use by the end of the fifth century.

5. What Latin historian brilliantly documented the annals of the Later Roman Empire from AD 354-378?

Answer: Ammianus Marcellinus

Not only was Ammianus a skilled writer but he was also an excellent general.

6. Which emperor was renowned for his extraordinary size and strength?

Answer: Maximinus

Maximinus is said to have been eight foot and six inches tall.

7. Which Christian emperor was responsible for closing the Athenian Academy?

Answer: Justinian

Out of all the schools in Athens--the Stoics, Epicureans, Peripatetics, and Academics--only the Neoplatonist's really had any influence after the time of Marcus Aurelius.

8. Which bishop wrote the 'Lives of Illustrious Men'?

Answer: Jerome

Jerome included several pagans in with the most prolific Christians from the Apostles up to his own day.

9. What Greek god did Commodus model himself after?

Answer: Hercules

It is said by Herodian that Commodus went as far to call himself not the 'son of Marcus, but of Hercules, son of Jupiter' instead.

10. Which pagan senator pushed to have the Altar of Victory restored in Rome?

Answer: Symmachus

Despite Symmachus' paganism, he enjoyed a relatively successful political career in the Christian Empire.

Source: Author Boethius

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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