U4- The Roman Republic test
1. What were the major social classes in the Roman Republic?
- Patricians: The wealthy landowning class who held most of the power in the government.
- Plebeians: The common people who made up the majority of the population and had fewer rights and privileges than the patricians.
- Slaves: Enslaved individuals who had no rights and were considered property.
2. What were the main responsibilities of the Roman Senate?
- The Senate was responsible for advising the magistrates and passing laws.
- They also played a role in the administration of the government, foreign policy, and financial matters.
- The Senate was composed of 300 members who were typically patricians and served for life.
3. How was power divided in the Roman Republic?
- Power in the Roman Republic was divided among various branches of government: the Senate, the magistrates, and the assemblies.
- The magistrates, such as consuls and praetors, were elected officials who had executive and judicial powers.
- The assemblies were made up of citizens who could vote on laws and elect magistrates.
4. What were the causes of the fall of the Roman Republic?
- Political corruption and infighting among the elite classes.
- Economic inequality and the exploitation of the lower classes.
- Military expansion and the strain of maintaining a vast empire.
- The rise of ambitious individuals, such as Julius Caesar and Augustus, who sought to seize power for themselves.
5. How did the Roman Republic transition into the Roman Empire?
- The Roman Republic officially ended in 27 BCE when Octavian, later known as Augustus, became the first Roman Emperor.
- Augustus effectively consolidated power in his hands and set up a system of imperial rule that lasted for centuries.
- The transition from republic to empire marked a significant change in Roman governance and society.