Question

state building: roman empire
aspect of the world of rome, there was no
fundamental change in the structure of roman
politics, empire, or society between the end of the
first century bce and the end of the second century
ce.\

from mary beard, spqr: a history of ancient rome
(new york: liveright publishing corporation, 2015),
335-336.

what is beard’s claim about how the creation of the
roman empire affected continuity and change in
rome?

choose 1 answer:

a the late republic was a period of revolutionary
political and social change; the early empire was a
period of political and social stability

b both the late republic and the early empire were
periods of revolutionary political and social change

c both the late republic and early empire were
periods of political and social stability

d the late republic was a period of political and
social stability; the early empire was a period of
revolutionary political and social change

Explanation:

First, analyze Beard's claim from the text: "there was no fundamental change in the structure of Roman politics, empire, or society between the end of the first century BCE (late Republic) and the end of the second century CE (early empire)". This means both periods had political and social stability. Now check the options:

• Option A: Says late Republic was revolutionary and early empire stable – contradicts the claim.
• Option B: Says both were revolutionary – contradicts as the claim is about no fundamental change (stability).
• Option C: Says both were periods of political and social stability – matches the claim.
• Option D: Says late Republic stable and early empire revolutionary – contradicts.

Answer:

C. Both the late Republic and early empire were periods of political and social stability