The Grandeur That Was Rome Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (Caesar Augustus)

Gaius Julius Caesar, perhaps the greatest figure of pre-imperial Rome, was offered the title of 'Emperor' of Rome on three separate occasions, and each time, he refused. He was assassinated on March 15, 44B.C. Following his death, three men - Octavian, Antony and Lepidus - formed a 'triumvirate' of power-sharing, which was soon to break into warring factions.

In the end, Octavian emerged victorious after the suicide of Antony and the banishment of Lepidus. He was proclaimed Emperor in 27 B.C. but didn't acquire full imperial authority till 23 B.C.

He held the position till his death in 14 A.D.

Answer: Eagle standard-bearer

The standard-bearer, carrying into battle the proud eagle emblem which symbolised the might of Rome, was one of the most protected, and respected, officers in the entire unit. Above all else, the standard (in Latin, eagle is 'aquila') had to be be kept aloft.

Answer: The Senate and people of Rome

The motto can still be seen on many buildings and other public places in the modern city of Rome.

Answer: He was a horse

Gaius Caesar, 'Caligula', was at first a very popular Emperor amongst his people. Following an illness, however, he descended into madness and cruelty and is now remembered as a bloodthirsty tyrant, whose assassination was not lamented. The story about Incitatus being made a consul is, however, a myth.

Answer: Vespasian

Galba, Otho and Vitellius were all in their turn proclaimed Emperor by loyal soldiers in their respective territories, but none commanded the full support of the majority and their reigns were short and ended in death. When Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus was declared Emperor in 69, he was in the middle of waging a war against Jews in the Roman province of Judea, but returned to Rome and stayed in charge for a decade as the Emperor Vespasian.

Answer: Flavius Valerius Constantinus, 'Constantine the Great'

Domitian (ruled 81 - 96A.D.) was famous, or infamous, for his cruelty and megalomania, and was assassinated. Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161 - 180A.D.), famous philosopher-statesman, is associated with the phrase 'Meditations', this being the name of 12 volumes of his published Stoic philosophy. Marcus Maxentius was closest to 'in hoc signo vinces', because it was he who was defeated at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312A.D., thus setting in motion the adoption of Christianity as the official state religion of the Empire.

But it was Constantine to whom the phrase had personal significance. The 'sign' referred to is the Cross, which Constantine, so the story goes, saw superimposed on a cloud on the eve of his confrontation with Maxentius. He was indeed victorious, and attributed his win to the power and protection of the Christian God.

The Roman Empire, and the world, was never the same again.

Answer: Julian

Julian ruled the Empire for just two years, 361 - 363A.D., before being killed in battle. He is the subject of an excellent historical novel by Gore Vidal, also called 'Julian'.

Answer: The Western Empire ceased to exist

In the 370s, new cracks began to appear in the power structure of the reunited Empire, until in 395 it was split in two, with an Emperor ruling the West from Milan and later Ravenna - Rome itself had been abandoned - whilst in the East a 'New Rome', Byzantium, was established over which another Emperor had authority.

In 476, the young Emperor Romulus Augustulus was forced to abdicate his Western throne to the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, and the Roman Empire was gone forever in the West.

Answer: Legate

The centurion commanded a century - that is, 80 men. Sixty centuries made up one legion, which was commanded by a tribune. (In the First cohort the centuries were usually about 160 men strong). The aquilifer carried the standard for each century. The word 'legionary' refers to ordinary soldiers.

Answer: Robert Graves

James Michener published a vast amount of historical fiction in his 90 years of life, but never (to my knowledge) wrote of life in Roman times. Howard Fast was the author of one very well-known book dealing with Rome, but his story dealt with pre-Empire times: 'Spartacus'. And Leslie Charteris was the creator of the fictional Simon Templar, 'the Saint'. Robert Graves, internationally renowned British poet and author, was the originator of the two very fine works dealing with the fascinating Claudius.