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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Use and Abuse of Dictatorship, The Road to Ruin, Sundry Reflections Based on the Decemvirate.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are two reasons Machiavelli gives for foreign forces building a city?
(a) To spread the culture of the homeland and use resources for financial development.
(b) To exercise power over enemies and expand the power of an established system.
(c) To offer people in other lands the benefits of the existing system and to make their abilities and resources for universally beneficial.
(d) To relieve existing towns of excessive inhabitants and for the defense of the country from which the forces come.

2. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?
(a) He advocates smearing them with public proclamations about the threat they pose.
(b) He recommends that efforts be made to temporize (compromise) them rather than crush them.
(c) He advises Princes to allow his supporters to conspire to assassinate the enemies.
(d) Princes should name appoint them to offices to leave their actions open to public scrutiny.

3. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The plebeian branch.
(b) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(c) The princes.
(d) The legislative branch.

4. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example to be provided by leaders in a Republic?
(a) For leaders to make a law and refuse to observe it.
(b) For leaders to choose weak captains.
(c) For leaders to avoid harsh punishments for law breakers.
(d) For leaders to neglect the ordering of an army.

5. How long did Sparta peacefully exist without changing its laws, according to Machiavelli?
(a) 350 years.
(b) Until its domination by Rome.
(c) 800 years.
(d) Through the reign of Lycurgus.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli predict will come to Republics that do not provide for dictatorships or powerful authorities in times of urgent perils?

2. What are the two important items that Machiavelli considers to be unwise for a Prince to put entirely into peril?

3. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?

4. Who were the Decemvirs?

5. What historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?

(see the answer key)

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