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Rome, the Eternal City, is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and delicious food. From the Colosseum to the Vatican City and the Trevi Fountain, the city is home to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, our list of Rome trivia questions is the perfect way to explore the city and learn more about its many wonders.
Our list of trivia questions covers a wide range of topics, including the city's history, landmarks, food, and entertainment. You'll find questions about the origin of Rome's name, the oldest building in the city, famous museums and galleries, traditional Italian dishes that originated in Rome, and much more. With our trivia questions, you'll be able to explore the city like never before and gain a deeper understanding of what makes Rome such a special place.
So, pack your bags and get ready to explore the city! Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just someone looking for a fun way to learn more about Rome, our trivia questions are sure to provide you with an enjoyable and informative experience. Don't hesitate - start exploring Rome today and discover all the fascinating facts and trivia this city has to offer!
1. Next stop...The Colosseum! Also the name of an ancient empire, what is the capital of the country of Italy?
Answer: Rome
2. The 1953 film "Roman Holiday" is famous for its scenes of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck riding around Rome on a scooter made by what Italian brand whose name means "wasp?"
Answer: Vespa
3. The words “planes”, “more” and “testier” are all anagrams of cities found in which European country?
Answer: Italy (Naples, Rome, Trieste)
4. What “A” word is a watercourse engineered to carry water from a source to a distribution point? Used today to describe pipes, canals, and tunnels, it was most famously used in Ancient Rome, construction that stands to this day.
Answer: Aqueduct
5. Used in ancient times by the poet Tibullus, "The Eternal City" is a nickname given to what European capital?
Answer: Rome
6. Cincinnati is named after Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a 5th-century-BC hero of what ancient empire?
Answer: Roman Empire
7. "Beware the Ides of March" is a line from what Shakespeare play set in ancient Rome?
Answer: Julius Caesar
8. A name that will be recognized by fans of “Star Trek,” which legendary founder of Rome is said to have killed his brother Remus over an insult about a wall?
Answer: Romulus
9. Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinale, and Viminale are the seven hills upon which city was founded?
Answer: Rome
10. Although there is little evidence that it genuinely happened, which Roman emperor is said to have played the fiddle while Rome burned during the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64?
Answer: Nero
11. According to the historian Livy, what ancient city was warned by a group of sacred geese of an attack by the Gauls in 387 BCE?
Answer: Rome
12. Valentine's Day is, of course, named after Saint Valentine who was a clergyman in the Roman Empire who ministered to persecuted Christians and was martyred and buried in Rome on February 14. In what year did Saint Valentine die?
Answer: 269 (69 - 469 accepted)
13. Celebrants of Valentine's Day precursor Lupercalia threw a huge party on Palatine Hill, in what modern day world capital?
Answer: Rome
14. The namesake of a Diablo Cody movie, what goddess of ancient Rome was the wife of Jupiter and the equivalent of the Greek goddess Hera?
Answer: Juno
15. Despite its gross-sounding name, what Ancient Roman place was actually an entrance to a stadium or theater, and not a room where rich people would throw up giant meals so they could go eat more?
Answer: Vomitorium
16. During his embassy days in Rome, 14th and 15th century Dutch erotic poet-slash-diplomat Dirc Potter van der Loo found inspiration for his epic poem "The Course of Love" in the works of what saucy Florentine "Decameron" writer?
Answer: Giovanni Boccaccio
17. You can ride Bird scooters in Verona, an Italian city famous as the setting for the two young, tragic lovers in what Shakespeare play from the 1590s?
Answer: Romeo and Juliet
18. Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Canal, who is known for his paintings of Venice, Rome and London, is better known by which mononym?
Answer: Canaletto
19. Every year, the Italian charity Caritas receives over 1 million Euros in donations taken from the coins thrown by tourists into what iconic fountain located in Rome?
Answer: The Trevi Fountain
20. The Appian Way was one of the most impressive and important roads in Ancient Rome, linking Rome to Brindisi, which is in the southern portion of which boot-shaped country?
Answer: Italy
21. The Great Fire of Rome occurred in 64 AD during the reign of what emperor, who later built his "Golden Palace" on the burned area and was even accused of "fiddling while Rome burned?"
Answer: Nero
22. Inspired by observing a cafe near the Pantheon in Rome in 1975, Eric Favre invented what coffee brewing system that was first sold to consumers in 1986 in Japan, Italy, and Switzerland?
Answer: Nespresso
23. Enacted as early as the 4th century in Rome, blue laws are designed to ban or restrict individuals from engaging in certain activities or business practices on what day of the week, due to religious reasons?
Answer: Sunday
24. What figure from Greek mythology gave fire to man? His punishment was being tied to a rock and having his liver eaten by an eagle every day.
Answer: Prometheus
25. You don't have to be a history scholar to guess that Remus Lupin's codename for Potterwatch broadcasts was what first king of Rome?
Answer: Romulus
26. After the death of Cleopatra in 30 BC, Alexandria came under the rule of which empire?
Answer: Roman
27. Incitatus was the favorite horse of what Roman emperor, who, according to legend, exhibited his madness by trying to have Incitatus appointed as consul of Rome?
Answer: Caligula
28. Lorem ipsum text comes from a 1st-century BCE speech by what Roman statesman and namesake of a Chicago-area town?
Answer: Cicero
29. Calling your dog “Fido” (which comes from the Latin term for “faithful”) has largely become a cliche. While the pet name for your pet goes back to Ancient Rome, it didn’t catch on in modern times until the 1860s. When he took office in 1861, which president made the name popular when he introduced his dog, Fido, to America? The loyal hound attended his funeral a few years later.
Answer: Abraham Lincoln
30. Roman geese (in America, they are called tufted Roman geese) helped protect the city of Rome from invasion by the Gauls in 4 B.C. by honking loudly and alerting the Romans of the attack. In honor of this, the Romans erected a temple to the goddess to whom the geese were sacred. What goddess was that?
Answer: Juno
31. What was the name of the two-handled containers used in Ancient Greece and Rome to ship goods such as wine, olive oil, and honey?
Answer: amphora
32. The largest public space in Ancient Rome was a venue designed for horse and chariot racing, which seated around 150,000 people. Because of its size, it was also used for festivals and animal shows. What was it?
Answer: Circus Maximus
33. Reigning as emperor of Rome from 98 to 117 CE, Marcus Ulpius Traianus, who helped expand the Roman Empire and was known for public works projects, is best known today by what one-word name?
Answer: Trajan
34. In the year 193 AD, the Praetorian Guard killed emperor Pertinax and then offered up what at auction? Didius Julianus outbid everyone else which initiated a brief civil war.
Answer: Roman Empire
35. What Puccini opera is set in Rome in June of 1800, and tells the story of an opera singer, her lover (a painter), and a corrupt Chief of Police? A performance of this opera was the setting for a scene in the James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace."
Answer: Tosca
36. The year of Five emperors, where five different men claimed to be Emperor of Rome, was in which year?
Answer: 193 CE
37. What award-winning author moved to Rome wrote her 2018 novel "Whereabouts," or "Dove il Trovo," in Italian, after writing all her previous works in English?
Answer: Jhumpa Lahiri
38. Julius Caesar invaded Britain but did not establish a Roman province there. Rome invaded and established a province under the rule of what emperor?
Answer: Claudius
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