Question

Which of the following statements are true?

A. Peak Roman population was 75 million or a quarter of all humanity.
B. Roman agriculture and resources could not keep up with population growth so most citizens were impoverished and starving.
C. The foundation of Roman wealth and prosperity was military conquest and agriculture.
D. Roman technological progress was marked by one radical invention of the water mill.

Answer 1

The most accurate statement is C, confirming that Roman wealth was based on military conquest and agriculture. Option B is misleading; while poverty existed, it wasn't solely caused by agricultural issues. Option D is incorrect as Roman technology included various advancements, not just the water mill.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the true statements provided, option C, 'The foundation of Roman wealth and prosperity was military conquest and agriculture,' is accurate as many military engagements were intended to secure resources and the work of conquered peoples as slaves contributed significantly to the Roman economy. The Roman Empire's wealth grew from military success and its vast agricultural systems. However, option B, 'Roman agriculture and resources could not keep up with population growth so most citizens were impoverished and starving,' is misleading as it simplifies the complex economic conditions of the time. While there were certainly wealth disparities and some citizens faced poverty, it was not predominantly due to agricultural shortcomings but rather due to wealth concentration among the elite. The statement about the peak Roman population in option A seems plausible given historical population estimates, but it requires further specific historical data to confirm its accuracy. Option D, 'Roman technological progress was marked by one radical invention of the water mill,' is incorrect as Roman technological advancement cannot be attributed to a single invention; their technological progress was continuous and included various developments beyond the water mill. Finally, slavery and conquest were indeed major economic engines in Roman society, corroborating part of option C.

Answer 2

True statements about Roman history include that the foundation of Roman wealth and prosperity was based on military conquest and agriculture, and the Roman population being a significant part of humanity. However, the claim regarding technological progress and economic insufficiency is oversimplified.

Step-by-step explanation:

True Statements about Roman Society and Economy

Which of the following statements are true? After evaluating the given options, we can determine that statement C is true: "The foundation of Roman wealth and prosperity was military conquest and agriculture." This is substantiated by historical accounts that highlight how military conquests not only expanded the empire but also brought in significant resources including slaves for labor. Additionally, agriculture was a critical part of the Roman economy, providing food for the population and exports for trade.

Statement A regarding the Roman population being 75 million or a quarter of all humanity is also considered true. The peak Roman population may have been large, but precise numbers are not available; scholars often provide estimates. Statement D is partially true; the water mill was an important Roman invention, but to say Roman technological progress was marked by only one radical invention would be incorrect. While there were various technological advancements, none overshadowed the others to such an extent.

However, statement B is a simplification and not entirely accurate. While there were indeed pressures on Roman agriculture and resources and a significant portion of the population faced poverty, there is evidence that Roman economic and social structures were complex, and poverty was not simply due to an inability to keep up with population growth. It was also due to factors such as the distribution of wealth, social mobility limitations, and the reliance on slave labor, which affected free citizens' livelihoods, particularly in agriculture.