Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 History Chapter 2 An Empire Across Three Continents 2025-26

1. Multiple choice questions.

Q1. Which city emerged as the capital of the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus?

• (a) Constantinople
• (b) Athens
• (c) Rome
• (d) Alexandria

Answer: (c) Rome

Q2. The Roman Empire at its greatest extent stretched across how many continents?

• (a) One
• (b) Three
• (c) Four
• (d) Two

Answer: (b) Three

Q3. What does the term 'annona' in Roman history refer to?

• (a) A type of Roman coin
• (b) Annual Roman military reforms
• (c) The system for grain supply
• (d) Religious rituals

Answer: (c) The system for grain supply

2. Very Short Answer (VSA).

Q1. Name the two official languages of the Roman Empire.

Answer: The two official languages of the Roman Empire were Latin and Greek.

Q2. Who was the first emperor of Rome?

Answer: Augustus, also known as Octavian, was the first emperor of Rome.

Q3. What was the main reason for the construction of roads in the Roman Empire?

Answer: The main purpose of constructing roads in the Roman Empire was to enable the quick movement of the army.

Q4. What does 'Romanisation' mean?

Answer: Romanisation refers to the spread of Roman culture, language, and laws among the conquered peoples.

3. Short Answer Questions.

Q1. Explain the significance of the Mediterranean Sea for the Roman Empire.

Answer: The Mediterranean Sea was central to Roman trade, communication, and military control. It served as a unifying factor and was referred to as "mare nostrum" or 'our sea' by the Romans, enabling the movement of goods, people, and ideas across three continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Q2. What roles did slaves perform in Roman society?

Answer: Slaves were a vital part of Roman society. They worked in households, on farms, mines, and even as teachers or clerks. Enslaved people performed manual labor, skilled tasks, and were sometimes freed for loyal services.

Q3. How did the Romans maintain control over their vast empire?

Answer: Romans maintained control through a well-organized military, a network of roads, inclusion of local elites, and a system of laws. The emperor played a central role, while provincial governors managed local administration and ensured loyalty.

Q4. Mention any two factors that led to the decline of the Roman Empire.

Answer: Continuous invasions by barbarian tribes and internal political instability weakened the Roman Empire. Economic troubles, such as inflation and reliance on slave labor, also contributed significantly to its decline.

4. Long Answer Questions.

Q1. Analyse the social structure of the Roman Empire and its impact on daily life.

Answer: The Roman social structure was highly stratified, with clear distinctions between patricians (nobility), plebeians (commoners), freedmen, and slaves. Patricians held political power and large estates, plebeians engaged in trade and agriculture, and slaves did the majority of labor. This structure affected personal freedoms, employment opportunities, and legal rights, creating divisions but also stability as each class had distinct roles. Social mobility was possible through military service, trade, and manumission (freedom of slaves).

1. Patricians enjoyed privileges and influence in government
2. Plebeians struggled for rights but formed the backbone of the economy
3. Slavery was central to the empire's wealth and functioned in various sectors

Q2. Describe the economic exchanges within the Roman Empire and with other regions.

Answer: The Roman Empire's economy flourished due to extensive trade networks, both inland and across the Mediterranean. Goods like grain, oil, wine, and pottery were exchanged within the empire, while luxury items such as silk and spices were imported from Asia. Roman coins ensured economic integration. Local markets and long-distance trade contributed to urban prosperity and cultural exchange with regions like India and China.

1. Trading hubs developed at ports and towns
2. Merchants traveled established trade routes, including the Silk Road
3. Taxation and currency unified economic activities

6. Case-based questions.

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

"In the Roman Empire, officials collected taxes to maintain roads, armies, and public buildings. Citizens in Italy, as well as conquered provinces, contributed to the empire’s expenses. However, not all provinces paid in the same manner. Some offered grain or other goods instead of money, highlighting differences in local economies and connections to the government."

(i) Why did officials collect taxes in the Roman Empire?

Answer: Taxes were collected to fund the maintenance of roads, armies, and public buildings.

(ii) How did the method of paying taxes differ across the empire?

Answer: Some provinces paid taxes with goods like grain, while others paid in money, reflecting economic diversity.

(iii) What does the variation in tax payment methods tell us about the Roman Empire’s provinces?

Answer: It shows that different provinces had distinct economies and levels of connection to the central Roman government.

(iv) What was the role of public buildings in the Roman Empire?

Answer: Public buildings served as centers for administration, social gathering, and displaying Roman authority in cities.

Advantages of Studying Ancient Empires for Class 11 History

With these extra questions class 11 history chapter 2, learners can cover key facts and ideas. Understanding ancient empires helps in exam preparation by building strong concepts. You will also get insights into connections between different continents through history.

Practice using class 11 history chapter 2 important questions and answers in Hindi and English. These question sets touch on main topics, Roman social systems, and short answer questions. They are helpful for assamese medium students too, who want to review for exams.

This collection includes class 11 history chapter 2 important questions and answers pdf and MCQs. You can find questions suited for revision and quick study. Focus on these imp questions to boost your confidence for your 2025-26 History exams.