Essay Questions Pertaining to the Roman Empire
Here is a list of essay questions that not only provoke creative thought, but require thought and research beyond simple cutting and pasting from a text-book.
- The Roman Empire flourished under a direct dictatorship. How?
- How different would Europe be today if Carthage had won the Second Punic War?
- How do the strategies of Ancient Rome mirror strategies used by modern armies? How do they differ?
- The Roman Empire could not have flourished without it's direct connection to the Mediterranean. Agree or disagree?
- Rome's downfall was because of an ignorance of infrastructure and a too rapid expansion.
- Christianity would not be as pronounced today if Rome hadn't adapted it, Agree or disagree?
- How does the treatment of slaves in Rome differ from the treatment of slaves in [Greece, Africa, Central and South America, America before the Civil War]?
- You are a Roman farmer in Gaul in 49 BC, how do you feel about Caesar's power? Cite pros and cons.
- Was Rome's decline rapid and unexpected? Or were there warning signs, and it was slow decline? Explain.
- During Pax Romana how would the people feel about their Empire? W hat are the similarities with post-WW2 America?
- Was Rome's downfall simply a matter of time? Or was it a or a series of specific events?
- Rome borrowed heavily from Greek culture, where are these influences most evident?
- The third and final Punic war wasn't really necessary. Agree or disagree.
- Was the division of the Empire good or bad for the Empire?
- The Roman Empire was called "A Nation of soldiers", how was the Roman attitude towards violence affected by the high number of warriors?
- How did the Empire face the number of cultures surrounding them? To what extent were they influence and to what extent did they ignore cultures.
- Rome's religion was simply a tool to control the masses. Agree or disagree.
- Compare the growth of Rome to another great Empire, such as the Gupta Empire or Ancient Egypt.
- Did Rome have a 'caste' system? How strong were the borders between 'castes'?