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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Why does Messalina poison Vinicius?
(a) He knows about her and Mnester.
(b) He refuses to sleep with her.
(c) He killed Asiaticus.
(d) He threatens Claudius.

3. To whom do the people compare Britannicus during the Saecular games?
(a) Augustus.
(b) Aulus.
(c) Germanicus.
(d) Claudius.

4. Why does Claudius start rumors that Britannicus is epileptic?
(a) So Britannicus will find a true love and not one who wants his potential power.
(b) Britannicus started rumors about Claudius' impotence.
(c) So the populace will focus on Nero.
(d) Because he hates Britannicus.

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

6. What causes Justus to be executed?
(a) Insulting words toward Messalina.
(b) Adultery with Messalina.
(c) Accusations of planning a revolt.
(d) For insulting Claudius' role in the British campaign.

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

8. How does Claudius end up in Hell?
(a) Claudius shows anger at the gods and is subsequently banished into Hell.
(b) Hell's angels call on to the angels of heaven and tell them he is not a god.
(c) Messalina pleads with the gods that it is a mistake if they deify him.
(d) The gods decide not to deify him and send him there.

9. Who does Asiaticus believe instigates his trial?
(a) Vietllius and Poppaee.
(b) Vinicius.
(c) Messalina.
(d) The Petra brothers.

10. How does Pallas get to be so rich?
(a) Unintended bribes and no time to spend it.
(b) He inherits the money from his uncle.
(c) He steals it from his clients.
(d) He pockets the money little by little as the city treasurer.

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

12. Who hands Caractacus over to Ostorius?
(a) Queen of the Brigantians.
(b) The Belgian tribes.
(c) King of Icenians.
(d) The men of South Wales.

13. Why is Narcissus general for a day?
(a) Lucius Geta is ill.
(b) Calpurnia suggests him to Claudius.
(c) Crsipinus revolts with Silius.
(d) He is the only man Claudius trusts.

14. What does Claudius prohibit Sosibius to teach Britannicus?
(a) German history.
(b) Greek philosophy.
(c) War histories.
(d) Religion.

15. How do the people accept Nero as the succeeding emperor after Claudius?
(a) Joyfully.
(b) Bitterly.
(c) With fear.
(d) With surprise.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who orders Messalina to be executed?

2. What does Marsus suggest to Claudius?

3. What causes Herod to change his mind about revolting against Rome?

4. Who is a possible suspect in the first account of Claudius' death?

5. What ability gains Nero popular admiration?

(see the answer keys)

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