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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the royal family keep Claudius' death a secret for a few days?
(a) To write up a new will.
(b) To allow private mourning time before the public knows.
(c) To organize who the successor will be.
(d) To hide any evidence.

2. How does Claudius describe the first five years of his marriage to Agrippinilla?
(a) Uneventful.
(b) Blah.
(c) Chaotic.
(d) Coarse.

3. What is the only thing Claudius regrets among Agrippinilla's selfish actions?
(a) The lack of proper schooling for Britannicus.
(b) The adoption of Nero.
(c) The murder of Calpurnia and Cleopatra.
(d) The death of Vitellius.

4. Of the following, which is NOT a reform that Claudius plans for the government?
(a) Establish consul in chiefs for departments.
(b) Organize Cabinets of consuls that he creates.
(c) Form a separate judicial branch of government.
(d) Change Senatorial terms to five years.

5. For what acts is Claudius tried when in Hell?
(a) Murders.
(b) Pretending to be a god.
(c) Taking from the public when an emperor.
(d) Incest.

6. How do the Britons come to worship Claudius as a god?
(a) Claudius' triumph over them fulfills a legendary prophecy.
(b) Claudius' "magic" in war compels them to believe he is a God.
(c) They mistake Claudius as Augustus.
(d) Aulus orders them to build a temple in Claudius' name.

7. What does Claudius say he plans to do in his 7th year of rule?
(a) Give part of the emperor's role to 7 high consuls.
(b) Make an edict pronouncing Britannicus an heir of the crown.
(c) Honor and give sacrifice for his seven favorite gods.
(d) Finish reforms and restore the Republic.

8. Why does Domitia help raise her nephew, Lucius Domitius?
(a) She feels obliged to her sister.
(b) He is an heir to riches when he becomes an adult.
(c) She feels obliged to her brother.
(d) He is predicted to become emperor one day.

9. In the second account of Claudius' death, what motivates Agrippinilla to hire Locusta?
(a) Claudius states he is going to claim Britannicus his sole heir.
(b) Nero is becoming impatient and urges his mother.
(c) Locusta is Nero's cousin.
(d) Xenophon is back in Cos and Locusta is great at medicines.

10. How does Vitellius die?
(a) From a paralytic stroke.
(b) Murdered in a fire.
(c) Poison by a fellow consul.
(d) Execution.

11. What is the only thing Umbonius sells at his public auction?
(a) His Senatorial robes.
(b) A staff Claudius gave him.
(c) Corn.
(d) His Corinthian goods.

12. What happens to Rome after Nero dies?
(a) The Kings of the Near East take over the empire.
(b) The restoration of the Republic.
(c) Anarchy and civil war.
(d) The Britains build their own empire.

13. Why does Narcissus keep the truth of Messalina from Claudius?
(a) He thought Claudius deserved it.
(b) He does not believe in meddling.
(c) He wants to spare Claudius' feelings.
(d) He is as guilty as all the other men she sleeps with.

14. What does the reader discover about young Pompey?
(a) He is in love with Messalina.
(b) He is gay.
(c) He is unable to have children.
(d) He is illiterate.

15. What plan does Britannicus present to Claudius?
(a) Exile him so he may restore the Republic after Nero dies.
(b) Give him a chance at schooling and fight Nero.
(c) Restore the Republic the day before Claudius dies.
(d) Assassinate Agrippinilla and Nero.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the wedding party of Messalina and Silius know to run before the guards arrive?

2. Why does the crowd from the marketplace follow Asinius to the palace?

3. What brings Claudius to Ostia?

4. What sight makes Claudius happy when he reaches heaven?

5. What causes Justus to be executed?

(see the answer keys)

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