The Discourses Quiz

Take our free The Discourses quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

What does Machiavelli claim causes unity in a Republic? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, The Army, Its Discipline and Component Parts, The Administration of Conquered Territory and Other Problems Which Admit of No Middle Course, Mistakes Often Made in Connection With War, Rome's Dealings With Neighboring)

Fortune and leisure.

Idleness and peace.

Wealth and industry.

Fear and war.

According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money? (from Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government)

It raised taxes on Nobles.

So many Citizens joined the military that there were not enough to perform necessary jobs throughout the Republic.

Soldiers began expecting regular pay raises.

Rome was required to produce more currency to meet the payments, so the currency was devalued.

What advice does Machiavelli offer in Book 1, Section 52 to those who want to pursue their ambitions? (from Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government)

"He who is blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher must herafter fall with greatest loss."

"Ambition is the last infirmity of Noble minds."

"...(C)onsider the defects and perils which it [presents], and not to undertake it if it should be more dangerous than useful,...."

"Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make yhou believe that you too can become great."

If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War)

."The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history."

"History is written by the winners."

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

"Go where you belong--on the ash heap of history."

What opportunities come to Princes who take Machiavelli's advice in acting to take something from another Prince. (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Salus Populi, Suprema Lex, Further Reflections Based on the Samnite Wars, The Preservation of Freedom in a Republic)

The Prince who is being assaulted will be imprisoned.

The Prince who is being assaulted will have their army away from the City.

The Prince who is being assualted will not be able to consult his Captains.

The Prince who is being assaulted might make decisions fueled by anger.