Name Date Mastering the Content Assessment: The Legacy of the Roman Empire Circle the letter next to the best answer. 1. Which of the following methods was commonly used to choose a new Roman emperor? A. selection by philosophers B. fighting among private armies C. secret ballot by the Senate D. voice vote by Roman citizens 2. In the later empire, why did large numbers of Roman small farmers move to the cities? A. They could sell more food by moving closer to the markets. B. They knew jobs were available for all who wanted to work. C. They could not compete with large landowners who had slaves. D. They felt that cities were safer and more secure. 3. Which of these made the empire harder to defend as it grew? A. slow communication B. diminishing resources C. variety of conflicting laws D. revolts by prosperous colonies 4. What protected the borders of the Roman Empire? A. treaties B. soldiers C. wild lions D. wood fences 5. Study this timeline. Which event belongs on the blank line? 200 C.E. Height of the Roman Empire 330 C.E. 410 C.E. Germanic tribe attacks city of Rome 476 C.E. Fall of Rome in the west A. The Roman capital moves to Byzantium. B. The Praetorian Guard is dissolved. C. The Romans develop the alphabet. D. The Romans conquer Gaul.
6. Whose action reduced the importance of the city of Rome within the Roman Empire? A. Caesar Augustus B. the Praetorian Guard C. Constantine D. Marcus Aurelius 7. What event marked the fall of Rome in 476 C.E.? A. The eastern half of the empire won control over the western half. B. Workers in the cities demanded a voice in government. C. Wealthy families turned their estates into private kingdoms. D. Germanic tribes overthrew the last emperor in the west. 8. What type of Roman sculpture inspired some American artists? A. lifelike statues of famous people B. abstract statues of fanciful beasts C. large statues of horses in action D. humorous statues of children playing 9. Which term describes Roman artwork made from small pieces of tile, glass, or colored stone? A. cameo B. fresco C. mosaic D. mural 10. Which of these structures is Roman? A. A B. B C. C D. D
11. The Romans built aqueducts to carry A. armies. B. merchants. C. ships. D. water. 12. Which engineering feat connected the city of Rome with territory throughout the empire? A. canals B. roads C. ships D. runners 13. Which languages are most closely related to Latin? A. Greek and Turkish B. Polish and Russian C. French and Spanish D. German and Danish 14. Which of the following describes how Latin most influences modern English? A. prefixes and roots B. numeral style C. sentence structure D. alphabet style 15. Which of these traits did the Stoics value most? A. courage and self-control B. imagination and creativity C. personal ambition and wealth D. emotions and pleasure 16. Which feature of American democracy comes from the Romans? A. All people are born equal. B. Leaders are elected directly by the people. C. Government is based on a written constitution. D. Citizens have certain rights and responsibilities.
Applying Social Studies Skills Use the map and your knowledge of history to complete the items below. 17. Name three geographic formations that acted as the northern borders of the Roman Empire at its height. 18. What form of transportation was most likely used to carry trade goods between the cities of Rome and Carthage? 19. Find Byzantium on the map. Briefly describe how its geography made it a good location for a city.
Exploring the Essential Question: To what extent have the contributions of ancient Rome influenced modern society? 20. Draw a picture showing three Roman influences on modern society in such areas as art, architecture, engineering, philosophy, law, citizenship, language, and writing. Then write a short paragraph to describe each of the three influences you drew. Make sure to do the following in your paragraphs: Support your statements with descriptions, facts, or examples. Express clear and accurate ideas. Include main ideas and the most significant details.