The Later Roman Empire (284-476 CE) - Ancient History: Rome

The word, "muse" comes from the Greek word mousike, which means the art of music. The muses in ancient Roman literature are the carriers of music. Pottery and paintings were not around until much later in roman history through mosaics and other visual representations. Music from the muses was a large and important concept in Roman history. We can eliminate doctor and manual labor as these careers did not contribute back to the "arts"

The Acta Diurna (Daily Acts) was a newspaper that was published in Rome beginning in the second century BCE. The purpose of the Acta Diurna was to inform the Roman population about Roman military campaigns, births and deaths of important people, and public gatherings.

The capital city of the Roman Empire was officially moved from Rome to the ancient Greek city of Byzantium in 330 CE.

The city was renamed to Constantinople in honor of emperor Constantine I (the Great).

The correct answer is "tetrarchy." A tetrarchy is a form of government that is split between four different heads of government. The key here is the concept of decentralizing power. The other forms of government put the power in one person's hands, unlike a tetrarchy. This move by Diocletian ended the crisis of the third century.

The Western Roman empire did not experience devastating climate change. The other answers did contribute to the fall of Rome, indicating the complexity of its decline. It is important to remember that this decline was an extremely slow and drawn out process. Just as there is truth to the saying "Rome was not built in a day", so too did it not fall in a day.

Alaric the Visigoth was the leader of a Germanic group of people (called the Visigoths) in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. He led a devastating sack of the city of Rome in 410 CE, which contributed heavily to the decline of the Western Roman Empire. It was also of great symbolic significance for people living in this time period, because it was the first time Rome had been sacked in more than seven hundred years.

Odoacer led a revolt of the Roman armed forces during the waning days of the Roman Empire. He deposed the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus, in 476 CE, and brought to an end the rule of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer took the title of First King of Italy and enjoyed the political support of the Roman Senate.

The Roman Empire was divided into western and eastern empires during the reign of Diocletian in 285 CE. The Western Roman Empire would last for almost two centuries, before succumbing to a series of barbarian conquests and military coups; the Eastern Roman Empire, however, would last until the fifteenth century. The Byzantine Empire is the name generally used by historians to refer to the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Romulus Augustus was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire. He reigned briefly in 475 and 476 CE, before being deposed by Odoacer. The end of Romulus Augustus’ reign is said to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire, although the transition was hardly smooth.

The correct answer is relationships with neighboring countries because the new government tried to model themselves after Constantinople. If you chose separating from the church, remember that Constantine brought Catholicism into Rome. They were not trying to separate until later in the Roman Empire. If you chose colonizing Asia or Africa, remember that these conquests did not begin until way later as well. Keep time frame in mind while making your choices.

The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields was fought in the middle of the fifth century, in the midst of the decline of the Western Roman Empire. It was fought between an alliance of Roman and Visigothic soldiers against the forces of Attila the Hun. The battle ended in a stalemate, but can be best understood as part of the decline of Rome. The Roman army was unable to match the range and tactics of Attila, and massive parts of Roman Europe were pillaged.

The power in the Roman Kingdom was largely centered on the King. The Senate was NOT an independent body, it could only be assembled at the behest of the King.

The Roman Republic came into existence in the second-half of the sixth century BCE. Previously, Rome had been governed by a monarchy. It is worth noting that much of the history of this time period is shrouded in myth and legend, but it is generally believed that Rome was ruled by a succession of seven kings, before the last king, Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown in a violent revolution.

In the early years of the Roman Republic, it was common for poor plebeians to be enslaved by patricians if they accumulated significant debts. This debt slavery was abolished in 450 BCE with the codification of Roman law through the Twelve Tables.

The term interregnum is a Latin term that literally means “between kings.” During the period of time when Rome was ruled by a monarchy, the kingdom would enter a period of interregnum _f_ollowing the death of a king. In the Roman Kingdom, during interregnum, power would devolve to the Senate who would then elect a new king.

A republic is a system of government in which people elect representatives to enact laws on their behalf. It is distinct from direct democracy in that the people do not actually get to vote on issues themselves, but instead appoint representatives. It was the political system which prevailed in Rome from 507 BCE until the rise of the Roman Empire in 27 BCE. It is also the political system which prevails in the modern United States of America.

In the Roman Kingdom, the Senate was responsible for nominating and electing a king. After a king died, the Senate was convened to appoint a new ruler. That ruler would then have to be approved by the people, the Gods, and the Curiate Assembly (a government body under the effective control of the Senate).

During the history of the Roman Kingdom, the Curiate Assembly had the final authority over the appointment of a king. The Curiate Assembly was a government body made up of wealthy patricians and under the effective control of the Roman Senate.

The procedure for the nomination and appointment of a Roman monarch was quite convoluted. First, the Senate had to choose a candidate for the monarchy. Then, that monarch needed to get the support of the people. Next, he had to court the approval of the Curiate Assembly. Finally, a would-be monarch needed religious approval and the reaffirmed support of the Senate. Only after all this would a ruler have the title of imperium conferred upon him and become king.