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Lesson 1: Rome’s Decline — Practice Questions

  1. 1. What was a primary reason that many Germanic tribes began to move south into Roman territory during the 300s and 400s C.E.?

    • A. They were offered land and citizenship by the Roman emperor to help boost the economy.
    • B. They were fleeing an invasion from the Huns, a group of warriors from Central Asia.
    • C. They wanted to establish a new, unified kingdom with its capital in Rome.
    • D. They were hired as a massive army to defend the Eastern Roman Empire.
  2. 2. Which event in 410 C.E. served as a major shock and revealed the vulnerability of the Western Roman Empire?

    • A. A Germanic general overthrew the last Roman emperor.
    • B. The Visigoths successfully captured and looted the city of Rome.
    • C. The capital of the empire was officially moved to Constantinople.
    • D. The Roman army was defeated by the Huns in a major battle.
  3. 3. As the Roman military grew weaker, what was a common consequence of Germanic tribes crossing into the empire's territory?

    • A. The tribes were peacefully assimilated and given jobs managing Roman farms.
    • B. The Roman government paid them large sums of gold to leave the territory.
    • C. Many tribes raided Roman cities and agricultural lands for supplies.
    • D. The tribes immediately adopted Roman laws and helped defend the borders.
  4. 4. Who was Odoacer?

    • A. The Visigoth leader who led the raid on Rome in 410 C.E.
    • B. The Germanic general who took control in 476 C.E.
    • C. The last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
    • D. A Roman emperor who tried to fix the economy with reforms.
  5. 5. The year 476 C.E. is considered a major turning point in Roman history primarily because it was the year that...

    • A. the city of Rome was sacked by the Vandals.
    • B. the Roman Empire was formally divided into East and West.
    • C. the last Western Roman emperor was overthrown by a Germanic general.
    • D. Constantine moved the capital to a new city in the east.
  6. 6. Which statement best describes the impact of Latin, the language of the Romans, on modern Europe?

    • A. Latin was completely replaced by Germanic languages after the empire fell.
    • B. Modern languages like Spanish and French developed directly from Latin.
    • C. All European languages today are based on the Greek that was spoken in Rome.
    • D. Latin is a language that is now only used for religious ceremonies.
  7. 7. What was the primary fate of Roman culture after the Western Roman Empire's government collapsed?

    • A. It vanished completely.
    • B. It only survived in Asia.
    • C. It shaped new kingdoms.
    • D. It was outlawed by new rulers.
  8. 8. After the fall of Rome, which institution became central to preserving Roman learning and traditions in Western Europe?

    • A. The armies of the new Germanic kings
    • B. The Christian Church
    • C. Guilds of traveling merchants
    • D. Local farming communities
  9. 9. Which important Roman legal idea forms a key principle in many modern justice systems, including that of the United States?

    • A. The belief that rulers and government officials are above the law.
    • B. The principle that an accused person is considered innocent until proven guilty.
    • C. The practice of having different laws for wealthy and poor citizens.
    • D. The requirement that all laws must be rewritten every ten years.
  10. 10. How did the infrastructure of the Roman Empire play a role in the development of Christianity?

    • A. The government required every citizen to attend church services.
    • B. The well-built system of roads allowed Christian ideas to be shared widely and quickly.
    • C. The empire's strong navy was primarily used to transport missionaries.
    • D. Aqueducts were repurposed to provide water for religious ceremonies.