Roman Empire trivia quiz: test your knowledge of ancient Rome
Quick, free Roman history quiz to check your knowledge. Instant results.
This Roman Empire trivia quiz helps you check what you know about emperors, battles, and culture in ancient Rome. Get quick feedback as you play, and learn a few new facts along the way. Want more practice? Try our ancient Rome quiz, take the Roman Republic to Empire quiz, or dive into a Roman military tactics quiz for legions and battle formations.
Study Outcomes
- Understand Roman political dynamics -
Learn about the structures of power, major rulers and the governance systems that shaped the empire's rise and fall.
- Recall key Roman emperors -
Identify influential figures like Augustus and Constantine, and summarize their main achievements and historical impact.
- Analyze pivotal battles -
Examine important conflicts such as the Battle of Actium and Teutoburg Forest, and assess their consequences for Roman expansion.
- Identify daily life and culture -
Discover Roman customs, social structures and everyday routines to gain insights into ancient society.
- Apply trivia knowledge -
Use quiz facts to deepen your understanding of Roman history and make connections with broader historical contexts.
- Assess learning gaps -
Evaluate your quiz performance to pinpoint areas for further exploration and study in Roman history.
Cheat Sheet
- Founding and Republic Structure -
Study the legendary origins of Rome with Romulus and Remus (753 BC) and the development of the Roman Republic's checks and balances, including the Senate and annually elected consuls. Remember the mnemonic "SPQR" (Senatus Populusque Romanus) to recall the joint authority of Senate and People of Rome (Oxford University Press).
- Julius Caesar and the Rise of the Empire -
Focus on Caesar's military campaigns and political reforms that undermined the Republic, culminating in his assassination on the Ides of March 44 BC (Plutarch's Lives). Use the acronym "C-P-D" (Conquest, Power, Death) to remember Caesar's path from Gaul to dictatorship.
- Augustus and the Pax Romana -
Review Augustus' establishment of the Principate in 27 BC, marking the start of two centuries of relative peace known as the Pax Romana. An easy way to recall his administrative reforms is "PRIME" (Police, Roads, Infrastructure, Military, Economy) (Cambridge University Press).
- Legion Structure and Key Battles -
Understand the organization of Roman legions into cohorts and centuries, and their tactical flexibility at battles like Alesia (52 BC) and Actium (31 BC). Use the "10-6-1" rule to remember each legion's 10 cohorts, 6 centuries per cohort, and 1 centurion per century (National Army Museum).
- Everyday Life and Monumental Engineering -
Examine daily life through housing (insulae vs. domus), food staples like garum, and entertainment such as gladiatorial games. Memorize "GIR" (Garum, Insulae, Roman spectacles) to link culinary habits, urban living, and public events (Journal of Roman Studies).