HWH Unit 4 Focus Questions

1)      In what ways was Rome’s location an advantage?

2)      What other geographic advantages did Italy possess?

3)      What was the role of the senate in the republic and how long did senators serve?

4)      What checks and balances existed in this form of government?

5)      How was the right of plebeians to elect tribunes a check on the power of the patrician senate?

6)      What rights and freedoms did Romans gain over time?

7)      Was religion a divisive or a unifying force in Roman society?

8)      What values made Roman citizens good soldiers?

9)      How did these values influence Rome’s efforts to expand?

10)  Why might the islands of Sicily and Sardinia be a good place for Rome to begin its expansion?

11)  Rome’s treatment of the Carthaginians different from its treatment of conquered peoples in earlier wars?

12)  What effect did Mediterranean conquest have on the Roman social class system?

13)  What values replaced simplicity, hard work, and devotion to duty in Rome?

14)  What issue led to civil wars in the Roman republic?

15)  How ere the new professional armies different form Roman legions?

16)  Why might commanding a professional army make Caesar and other generals more willing to engage in power struggles?

17)  Why was Caesar murdered?

18)  Why was Augustus careful not to declare himself dictator while acting as one?

19)  What event marked the end of the Roman republic and the beginning of the Roman empire?

20)  What political and economic reforms helped Augustus create a stable government?

21)  What was the long-term effect of the reforms made by Augustus?

22)  What is the goal of writing satire?

23)  How did the Romans show their admiration for Greek literature, philosophy, and the arts?

24)  What were the main differences between Roman and Greek sculpture and literature?

25)  What were some practical applications of Roman engineering skills?

26)  What original research did Greek citizens of the empire do?

27)  How was the Rome’s greatest legacy and show is it reflected in the U.S. justice system?

28)  What were citizens of different faiths expected to do in exchange for toleration of their religious beliefs and practices?

29)  What was the outcome of the Zealot revolt?

30)  What new beliefs attracted many followers to Jesus?

31)  How did Paul spread Christianity?

32)  What was the effect of Paul’s missionary work?

33)  Why did the Romans persecute Christians?

34)  How did the unity of the empire make missionary efforts easier?

35)  Why did Church leaders seek a hierarchy or structure for the Church?

36)  What issue led to disagreement between the Church in the Latin-speaking west and the Greek-speaking east?

37)  Why are political instability and frequent, violent changes in leadership a serious problem for a government?

38)  How did over cultivation of land and the empire’s economic problems affect the status of small farmers?

39)  Why did Rome’s internal problems make it harder to stop the Huns and other invaders?

40)  How were military and social problems related?

41)  Why are the developments that ended the Roman empire more correctly called a decline than fall?