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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Tacitus handle his political position under an emperor?
(a) Followed loyally, despite his own feelings.
(b) Unwavering with his own stance.
(c) Usually manipulated the officials of the emperor to take his stance.
(d) Believed in whatever the emperor believed in.

2. What memorable adventure happened to the Usipi?
(a) They sailed around North Britain, starved and were mistaken as pirates.
(b) They had the best victory over Roman legions in history.
(c) They ran into the Fenni and were almost eaten by them.
(d) They almost drowned in stormy seas off the coast of Britain.

3. The invasion of Italy by the Germans was __________.
(a) Sudden.
(b) Expected.
(c) Inevitable.
(d) A slow creeping progress.

4. Why did Tacitus provide so much British history in "The Agricola"?
(a) It showed how British history influenced Roman culture.
(b) It compared how much Agricola did for the Empire.
(c) It showed how the Roman Empire improved British lives.
(d) It was a warning to the Roman Empire of their dangerous presence.

5. Mattingly observes what defect in Tactitus' writings?
(a) Carelessness in geography and military history.
(b) Exaggeration of stories.
(c) Misspellings.
(d) Carelessness in proper names and dates.

6. Which Roman ruler was the first to try to conquer Britain?
(a) Tiberius.
(b) Caligula.
(c) Claudius.
(d) Julius Caesar.

7. What did Domitian offer Agricola for his triumph?
(a) Nothing.
(b) A parade.
(c) A post in Germany.
(d) Syria.

8. Where did Agricola stand when fighting with his men?
(a) In the middle as his men surrounded him.
(b) He did not fight in the battlegrounds.
(c) In the very front.
(d) In the back.

9. How did Augustus handle the Germans?
(a) He kept them at the Rhine.
(b) He advanced over the Rhine.
(c) He advanced to the Elbe.
(d) He ignored their presence and concentrated on Britain.

10. How did the public feel about Agricola's role in Britain?
(a) They were in favor of his work.
(b) They thought he was too soft with the British.
(c) They believed he was a puppet of Domitian.
(d) They felt he was a failure in his campaigns.

11. What other country did Agricola want to conquer in order to surround Britain?
(a) Gauls.
(b) Germany.
(c) Ireland.
(d) Spain.

12. Agricola called on whose help to equalize the sword fighting skills of the British?
(a) The Batavians and Tungrians.
(b) The cavalry.
(c) The Praetorian Guards.
(d) The Gauls.

13. Between which years were Agricola's campaigns in Britain?
(a) 53-68 A.D.
(b) 2 A.D. - 7 A.D.
(c) 78-84 A.D.
(d) 578 A.D. - 584 A.D.

14. Before Tacitus' time, a person who wrote an autobiography was considered to be__________.
(a) Not worth reading about.
(b) Insecure.
(c) Self-confident.
(d) Egocentric.

15. In the Introduction, Mattingly claims the Germans needed what if they were to ever reach maturity?
(a) A fierce ruler.
(b) Roman discipline.
(c) Power over drinking.
(d) A united kingdom.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Agricola's arrival in Britain differ from the usual arrival of a new governor?

2. For what reason would the Romans not bother to conquer a country?

3. How did Agricola's successes become so famous?

4. Mattingly suggests modern Germany thinks of "The Germania" in what way?

5. How was Agricola's death received in general?

(see the answer keys)

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