An Empire Across Three Continents Short and Long Important Question Class 11 History Chapter-2 Book-Themes in World History

 

Question: Discuss the contribution of the Roman Empire to the world.

Answer - 

• strong military organization 

• Roman Law 

• education of state management 

• art of building 

• Business 

• Urban Life 

• Literature and Philosophy 

• Propagation of Christianity 

Question:  What changes did Emperor Diocletian make in the Roman Empire?

Answer - 

• Emperor Diocletian reduced the expansion of the Roman Empire 

• Built forts on the borders of the empire 

• The provinces were reorganized 

• separated civilian activities from military activities 

• gave more powers to commanders 

Question - Why did slave breeding start in the Roman Empire?

Answer - 

• Slave breeding was a practice to increase the number of slaves 

• Under which the female slaves and their men were encouraged to have as many children as possible 

• Their children too later became slaves.  

Question - Discuss the social characteristics of the Roman Empire

Answer - 

• The historian Tacitus divided the major social groups of the early empire into the following classes: 

• senators, equestrian class, respectable class of people, lowest class

• The number of senators was around 1000 and about half of the total senators were from Italian families.

• Senators and equestrians were unified into an extended aristocracy. This 'later Roman aristocracy' was extremely wealthy.

• The middle classes included people in bureaucracy and military service as well as prosperous merchants and farmers 

• The respectable middle class were dependents of the Senate houses 

• There were a large number of lower class groups which included the rural labour force

Question –  Explain the third century crisis of the Roman Empire.

Answer -  

The Crisis of the Third Century was a series of political, economic, and social crises in the Roman Empire that destabilized the empire

1. Military crisis

• The empire and its borders were constantly under attack from barbarian tribes 

• In 225 A.D. Shapur I of the Sassanid dynasty destroyed a Roman army of 60,000

• There were rebellions and civil wars within the empire which weakened the army

2. Political crisis

• At this time began a series of weak and ineffective emperors who were unable to run the administrative system with effective stability. 25 emperors came to power in 47 years.

3. Financial crisis

• Administrative instability led to inflation and shortage of precious metals in the state, which caused social unrest

4. Social crisis

• Roman traditional values ​​and institutions broke down Individualism grew Social hierarchy collapsed 

Question –  What were the characteristics that made the Roman economy modern?

Answer - 

The economic infrastructure of the Roman Empire was quite strong due to the following reasons –

• The Roman Empire had a large number of ports, mines, quarries, brick kilns, and olive oil factories

• The trade of the Roman Empire was quite developed. Wheat, grape wine and olive oil were the main trade items.

• Trade was done with Spain, Gallic provinces, North Africa, Egypt and Italy

• Wine, olive oil and other liquids were transported in jars or containers called amphorae

• Olive oil produced in Spain was primarily shipped in containers called Dressel-20 

• Intensive farming was practiced; productivity levels were very high

• The technology of running mills by water power was in vogue

• The empire had a well-organised commercial and banking system, and money was widely used.

Question –   Describe the main achievements of Emperor Constantine.

Answer - 

• Emperor Constantine's reign lasted from 306 AD to 337 AD  Constantine became the emperor of Eboracum in 306 AD 

• As emperor, Constantine reorganized many administrative, financial, and social functions to strengthen the empire.

• Constantine made new changes in the monetary sector and introduced a new coin called Solidus which was 4.5 grams of pure gold

• Constantine built the second capital, Constantinople, which was surrounded by sea on three sides

• Constantine is called "the first Christian emperor".

Question –   Observe the status and importance of slaves in the Roman Empire.

Answer - 

• Slaves were considered property in Roman law, and were bought and sold in the market 

• Slaves were seen as an investment 

• Most of the labor in the Roman economy was performed by slaves; they served in households, agriculture, mines, the military, workshops, construction, and many services

• Slaves played an important role in Roman society. Enslaved people lived in cities, countryside, homes, and businesses.

• During the reign of Augustus, Italy had 3 million slaves out of a total population of 7.5 million

• At that time, landowners were advised not to use slaves where large numbers were needed or where health could be compromised by diseases such as malaria.

• Slaves were precious; their loss could ruin the accounts

• Upper class people often treated slaves cruelly while common people were more sympathetic

Question –   Briefly describe the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.

Answer -

1. The people in the Roman Empire were plagued by political instability and corruption, which weakened the government and made it difficult to rule effectively.

2. The Roman economy was based on agriculture and trade but it began to decline in the 3rd century AD due to rising taxation, inflation and a decline in trade, the government devalued its currency which led to a decline in the economy and loss of trade 

3. The Roman Empire was known for its strong army, but it was weakened due to lack of resources and decline in army recruitment. The empire had to face attacks from barbarian tribes which weakened the empire. 

4. The Roman Empire was known for its culture and civilization, but it began to decline in the 3rd century BC due to a decline in education, art, and literature.

5. The Roman Empire was known for its vast size and territorial conquests, but this enormous expansion put a strain on its resources and led to increased military spending, which also led to a decline in revenue.

Question –  Briefly describe the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.

Answer -

1. The people in the Roman Empire were plagued by political instability and corruption, which weakened the government and made it difficult to rule effectively.

2. The Roman economy was based on agriculture and trade but it began to decline in the 3rd century AD due to rising taxation, inflation and a decline in trade, the government devalued its currency which led to a decline in the economy and loss of trade 

3. The Roman Empire was known for its strong army, but it was weakened due to lack of resources and decline in army recruitment. The empire had to face attacks from barbarian tribes which weakened the empire. 

4. The Roman Empire was known for its culture and civilization, but it began to decline in the 3rd century BC due to a decline in education, art, and literature.

5. The Roman Empire was known for its vast size and territorial conquests, but this enormous expansion put a strain on its resources and led to increased military spending, which also led to a decline in revenue.