1 | Page
CLST 2102 Michael Katchmer Questions and
Correct Answers
What advantages did Rome's location have? Ans: -beyond reach
of colonizing foreigners
-mediterranean cimiate (mild temp and sufficient rainfall) made
for more agricultural production
-had a lot of mineral wealth and major rivers allowed for
transportation
-mountains at top and middle of Italy made it harder to pass
-defensible hills, abundant water, and a natural crossing place
below tiber island
What mountain range forms the "spine" of Italy? Ans: apennines
Which mountain range creates a barrier in the north of Italy? Ans:
alps
How did plains people differ politically from hill people? Ans:
Plains people: had a polis- politically autonomous city-state ruled
by its citizens
-communal freedom under laws they make and enforce
-communal worship of the gods
-higher proportion of citizens involved in the running and
defending of the state
hill people: tend to be tribal with less complex political structure
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
-traditional lifestyle
-prefer indolence over collectivity
-loose confederations
-tend to move around
What did Rome probably look like in the 8th century? Ans: Rome
gains wealth from river trade
-it benefits financially and culturally from contact with more
civilized people (Greeks, Phoenicians, and Etruscans
-greater wealth means population growth and the growth of an
upper class
What is synoecism? Ans: the coming together of several villages
or settlements into one community
Which river flows through Rome? Ans: tiber river
How did it affect Rome socially and financially? Ans: the city
could receive products it needed from the river and dispose of its
commodities
it could bring up the necessities of a civilized life
allowed for a plentiful watered streams and a healthy area by the
hills
it gave them protection from enemies
What type of society seems to have developed in Latium in the 9th
and 8th centuries? Ans: population growth
burials give evidence of strong family groups centered on
important warrior males and extraordinary wealth
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
What do their grave goods reveal as important in their society?
Ans: burials give evidence of strong family groups centered on
important warrior males and extraordinary wealth
What is a gens? Ans: it is an extended family, clan
-All free-born persons descended from a common ancestor
through the male line
-they share the same name and certain family traditions
-a man's gens is the second name in the system of three names
common in the republic
-ex: C. JULIUS Ceaser; P. CORNELIUS Scipio
Why are our literary sources for the history of Rome during the
monarchy problematic? Ans: they were written many centuries
after the events were supposed to have taken place as were the
literary sources that were used
-ancient historians did not try to uncover new facts about they
past; they tried to present received information in a new way
-filled in gaps of knowledge creatively (historical fiction)
From where did Aeneas come and why was he famous? Ans: came
from troy
-he defeated Turnus
-famous for his pietas: devotion to family, gods, and country
-he saved his father and son when troy fell
Who was his divine parent? Ans: the goddess Venus
© 2025 All rights reserved
CLST 2102 Michael Katchmer Questions and
Correct Answers
What advantages did Rome's location have? Ans: -beyond reach
of colonizing foreigners
-mediterranean cimiate (mild temp and sufficient rainfall) made
for more agricultural production
-had a lot of mineral wealth and major rivers allowed for
transportation
-mountains at top and middle of Italy made it harder to pass
-defensible hills, abundant water, and a natural crossing place
below tiber island
What mountain range forms the "spine" of Italy? Ans: apennines
Which mountain range creates a barrier in the north of Italy? Ans:
alps
How did plains people differ politically from hill people? Ans:
Plains people: had a polis- politically autonomous city-state ruled
by its citizens
-communal freedom under laws they make and enforce
-communal worship of the gods
-higher proportion of citizens involved in the running and
defending of the state
hill people: tend to be tribal with less complex political structure
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
-traditional lifestyle
-prefer indolence over collectivity
-loose confederations
-tend to move around
What did Rome probably look like in the 8th century? Ans: Rome
gains wealth from river trade
-it benefits financially and culturally from contact with more
civilized people (Greeks, Phoenicians, and Etruscans
-greater wealth means population growth and the growth of an
upper class
What is synoecism? Ans: the coming together of several villages
or settlements into one community
Which river flows through Rome? Ans: tiber river
How did it affect Rome socially and financially? Ans: the city
could receive products it needed from the river and dispose of its
commodities
it could bring up the necessities of a civilized life
allowed for a plentiful watered streams and a healthy area by the
hills
it gave them protection from enemies
What type of society seems to have developed in Latium in the 9th
and 8th centuries? Ans: population growth
burials give evidence of strong family groups centered on
important warrior males and extraordinary wealth
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
What do their grave goods reveal as important in their society?
Ans: burials give evidence of strong family groups centered on
important warrior males and extraordinary wealth
What is a gens? Ans: it is an extended family, clan
-All free-born persons descended from a common ancestor
through the male line
-they share the same name and certain family traditions
-a man's gens is the second name in the system of three names
common in the republic
-ex: C. JULIUS Ceaser; P. CORNELIUS Scipio
Why are our literary sources for the history of Rome during the
monarchy problematic? Ans: they were written many centuries
after the events were supposed to have taken place as were the
literary sources that were used
-ancient historians did not try to uncover new facts about they
past; they tried to present received information in a new way
-filled in gaps of knowledge creatively (historical fiction)
From where did Aeneas come and why was he famous? Ans: came
from troy
-he defeated Turnus
-famous for his pietas: devotion to family, gods, and country
-he saved his father and son when troy fell
Who was his divine parent? Ans: the goddess Venus
© 2025 All rights reserved
