How Well Do You Know the Ancient Romans?

Rome was built on the hills overlooking the Tiber River. The original settlement was located on Palatine Hill, though the surrounding hills were eventually incorporated as well.

Supposedly with their father being the god Mars, Romulus and Remus were born to a virgin named Rhea Silvia. At birth, they were taken from their mother and abandoned near a river where they were supposed to die.

The Rape of the Sabine Woman was an important event in Renaissance art. Famous artists from Giabologna to Pietro da Cortona tackled this subject.

Roman kings ruled over their subjects much like fathers over a household throughout Roman history. A king had responsibilities such as inflicting punishment, going to war and maintaining religious practices.

The Roman economy was quite sophisticated from the start of the kingdom. Not only did they have a unit of value for trading, but different members of society performed various occupations from pottery to carpentry to flute-playing.

Consuls only served one year terms after being elected. The Romans believed such a short occupancy would help prevent corruption.

Gaius Marcius Rutilus was a plebeian dictator who overcame a combined Etruscan force in 356 BC. His victory earned him fame among the plebian class, but the Senate​ overlooked his victory.

Rome certainly had democratic elements, but the entire city wasn't free under the Roman Republic. Slaves were a huge labor source and were imported from cities which lost to the Romans in battle.

The Twelve Tables helped shape law in the western world for hundreds of years. The tables formulated new concepts such as justice, equality and land rights.

Carthage was the rival empire of the Romans for part of early Roman history. The empire dominated much of North Africa and the Mediterranean, putting them into constant conflict with Rome.

Hannibal was a very strategic general. One​ of his greatest feats was marching his army, which included elephants, over the Alps to attack Rome on its own land.

Roman legions were made up of citizens of Rome who were awarded land and money at the time of retirement. This system helped Rome maintain loyal soldiers throughout its history.

Roman aqueducts were a result of sewage problems throughout the city. Citizens often faced disease and death if they drank from rivers which were infected with feces and other contaminants​.

The reign of Julius Caesar is as complicated today as it was in his own time. That's because it's hard to pinpoint if he was a savior of the people or a dictator seeking power.

Though his family was relatively new to the Roman nobility, Pompey proved himself from a young age to be a great military genius. He was particularly instrumental in Sulla's second civil war, where he earned the nickname "Magnus."

Gaius Marius' changes to the Roman army helped bring about an end to the Republic. Because of his reforms, soldiers were more loyal to Roman generals than to the Republic.

After winning a civil war and marching on Rome, Sulla famously posted a list of all the enemies of the state. These enemies were sought and murdered in a violent episode of Roman history.

The First Triumvirate crumbled when Crassus was killed at the Battle of Carrhae. The leader was seeking glory but suffered a humiliating defeat to a much smaller force.

Julius Caesar was assassinated at the site known as the Curia Pompeia. The site is now a sanctuary for hundreds of cats.

William Shakespeare wrote about Brutus and his plot to assassinate Julius Caesar. He portrayed Brutus as a loyal Roman who wanted to protect the Republic from a tyrant.

Cicero served as consul in 63 BC. While in the position, he helped stop the overthrow of the Roman Republic, which earned him the title "Pater Patriae."

Augustus consolidated power throughout Rome in a way that had not been matched before. Today, he's regarded as Rome's first emperor.

Augustus was known for bringing peace to the Roman empire. However, he also expanded that empire greatly into areas like Spain and Egypt.

Claudius suffered from many physical disabilities which were mocked even by members of his own family. He took over as emperor after his nephew, Caligula, was assassinated.

There is little evidence that Nero actually started the fire that wiped out several districts across Rome. However, the fire did allow him to build a city more suitable to his liking.

After the death of Nero in 68 AD, Rome broke out into a period of civil​ wars. By the end of 69 AD, Vespasian ruled Rome, and a new dynasty was formed.

Hadrian's Wall was built by the Roman legions, which consisted of around 5,000 men each. The wall took about six years to build.

Roman gods were adapted from many Greek gods. They were simply given Roman names.

The Colosseum was built by thousands of slaves in the Roman empire. It is the largest amphitheater in the world.

Supposedly, the Roman Forum started as a meeting place between Romulus and a rival leader. The Forum eventually developed into an area for most public events, from shopping to religious practices.

Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which allowed religious tolerance in the Roman empire. The edict was an important point for Christianity, which would come to dominate Europe in future centuries.

The height of the Byzantine Empire was reached under Justinian I. One of Justinian's most important contributions was the Justinian Code, which incorporated various Roman laws into a single book.

The Visigoths were a segment of the Germanic people who invaded Western Europe beginning around the 4th century. The invasion was due to encroachment by the Huns into Germanic territory.

Togas are the most easily recognized piece of clothing worn by the Romans. Today, it is widely used in various forms of culture from movies to toga-themed parties.

The Roman Empire officially collapsed with the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The Ottoman Empire replaced the Byzantine Empire by sacking the city in the Conquest of Istanbul.