Question 1: Which regions were included in the Roman Empire?
Answer: The Roman Empire included most of present-day Europe, Western Asia, and a large part of North Africa.
Question 2: Mention the sources of Roman history.
Answer: The sources of Roman history are as follows:
(i) Manuscripts – Annual records, letters, lectures, treatises, and laws written by respected individuals.
(ii) Documentary Sources – Inscriptions engraved on stone slabs or manuscripts written on papyrus tree leaves.
(iii) Physical Remains – Artifacts obtained from excavations by the Archaeological Department, such as buildings, monuments, clay pots, and coins.
Question 3: What was papyrus?
Answer: Papyrus was a plant similar to a reed that grew along the banks of the Nile River. It was used to prepare writing materials. It played a significant role in ancient Roman life. Constitutions, writings, contracts, and official documents were written on papyrus sheets. It held great literary and administrative importance.
Question 4: Which empires were established from the birth of Jesus Christ until the 630s, and what was their status?
Answer:
(i) Two great empires of that time were Rome and Iran.
(ii) These empires spread across most of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
(iii) They were enemies and were constantly at war with each other.
(iv) A small strip of war-affected land also impacted trade activities.
Question 5: Mention the geographical extent of the Roman Empire.
Answer: The Roman Empire mainly included the Mediterranean Sea and all the regions in its north-south directions. Its northern boundary was marked by the Rhine and Danube rivers, while its southern boundary extended to the Sahara Desert.
Question 6: Who were the main 'players' in Roman political history?
Answer: The three main players were:
(i) The Senate
(ii) The Aristocracy
(iii) The Emperor
Question 7: What was the rule of succession in Roman society?
Answer: The rule of succession was based on family lineage. The throne was traditionally passed from father to son. The feudal system supported this, and only the deceased emperor's blood-related son or relative could peacefully become the new emperor of Rome.
Question 8: What is a civil war?
Answer: Unlike conflicts between states, a civil war is an armed struggle that takes place within a country for power.Question 9: What crisis did Roman society face in the third century, and what was its outcome?
Answer:
(i) In the third century, the Persian Emperor Shapur I attacked Rome, capturing 60,000 Roman soldiers. This increased political instability in Rome. Additionally, several Germanic tribes also launched attacks.
(ii) Outcome: The Romans were forced to retreat beyond the Danube River. This turmoil affected the rule of 25 emperors within 47 years.
Question 10: What campaigns did barbarian women undertake?
Answer: Barbarian women were extremely brave. In the absence of men, they organized into groups and participated in military operations.
Question 11: Which were the neighboring eastern states of the Roman Empire?
Answer: The Eastern neighboring regions of the Roman Empire included Syria, Palestine, and Mesopotamia, located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Question 12: Who was Saint Augustine? What did he write about the status of women?
Answer: Saint Augustine (354-430 AD) was a Christian religious thinker. He described the weak status of women in society.
Question 13: What was the status of women in Rome?
Answer: Women had limited rights. They were responsible for managing large households but had little freedom.
Question 14: What was the campaign related to slavery?
Answer: Campaigns were conducted to increase the number of slaves, strengthening the labor system.
Question 15: Why was labor management given importance in Rome?
Answer: Workers were provided with necessary facilities to ensure continuous production and prevent losses due to reduced labor efficiency.
Question 16: Which state was called the Gaul state?
Answer: In the sixth century, tribes like the Goths, Vandals, and Lombards took control of the Gaul state. It was divided into three parts:
(i) A region of Roman dominance
(ii) A Frankish kingdom in Gaul
(iii) A Lombard kingdom in Italy
Question 17: Describe Saint Patrick's account of the empire in Ireland.
Answer: When the western part of the Roman Empire weakened, Saint Patrick described the increasing influence of Christianity.
