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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Book 1, Section 37, what does Machiavelli claim to be the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) They keep the public and the Citizens rich.
(b) They keep the public [State] rich and its Citizens poor.
(c) They keep the Citizens rich and the public poor.
(d) They keep the public and the Citizens poor.

2. According to Machiavelli, how did the Nobles of Rome attempt to correct the limit on the wealth that was placed on them by Agrarian Laws?
(a) They raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(b) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.
(c) They reduced taxes on themselves and used their increased wealth to buy back their land.
(d) The Nobles took political control over the Senate and changed the laws to allow Nobles to control all the land of the Empire.

3. What does Machiavelli identify as tactics the Citizen seeking not to be harmed uses?
(a) The financial ability to buy protection.
(b) Acquiring friendships either through honest means or by supplying money to protect themselves from the powerful (bribes).
(c) Obscurity.
(d) Friendships with Citizens who are bold enough to fight.

4. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?
(a) To great works of antique art that have been found and preserved.
(b) To the state of political instability in which was common to Machiavelli's day.
(c) To his ideal state that combined the most successful institutions from those civilizations.
(d) To his projections of the future in which Machiavelli speculated on how power would be preserved.

5. If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be?
(a) "Go where you belong--on the ash heap of history."
(b) "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
(c) ."The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history."
(d) "History is written by the winners."

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?

2. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?

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

4. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?

5. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?

(see the answer key)

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