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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Herod cheat his brother, Aristobulus?
(a) He borrows from creditors in Aristobulus' name.
(b) He lies about investment profits and takes the bulk for himself.
(c) Herod keeps his brother's money that he was supposed to invest.
(d) He takes his brother's wife for himself.

2. What is the significance of an owl in the prison with Herod?
(a) The owl is a messenger of Caligula's.
(b) It puts dirt on Herod's shoulder and signifies good luck.
(c) An owl seen outside of nighttime prophecies bad luck.
(d) The owl is a sign of present danger.

3. What change in treasury does Claudius do?
(a) Puts Messalina as the head treasurer.
(b) Lets all but one official go so Claudius can learn.
(c) Appoints the responsbilities to his own cousins.
(d) Returns responsibilities to original treasury officials.

4. Who ends up committing suicide because of the way Caligula rules the Roman Empire?
(a) Antonia.
(b) A quarter of the consuls from the Senate.
(c) Tiger.
(d) Macro.

5. What act does Caligula attempt that angers many Jews?
(a) Erecting statues of Jesus in public squares in Jerusalem.
(b) Banishing all Jewish holiday celebrations.
(c) Burning down all the synagogues.
(d) Erecting a statue of himself in the Holy of Holies.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Claudius not like Justus, his new army commander?

2. Why does Claudius get angry at the magistrate of Ostia?

3. Who does Vinicianus call on to command a coup?

4. What is Claudius' first decision as an emperor?

5. Who saves Geta in battle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What suspicious behaviors and rumors about Herod make the reader believe he might do something dishonest? What changes does Claudius notice about Herod?

2. What causes the governor of the prison to distrust Herod?

3. Why is the title "Protector of the People" important to Claudius?

4. Herod seems to always be on the run, yet others predict Herod's future as powerful. Name these instances, who prophesies them, what they predict and how Herod reacts.

5. Good friends with Caligula, what causes Herod to become hesitant of Caligula's rule?

6. What does Claudius do to embarrass the amateur actors that performed under Caligula's rule? Why does he do this? What does this show about Claudius' character?

7. Although Silas helps Herod many times over, how does Silas depend on Herod?

8. How does Herod run his kingdom? What examples show how he handles his power? Does he use it for himself or for the Jewish population?

9. How does Flaccus rationalize his need for Herod's advice? How does this resemble how Herod feels about himself? What does this say about the importance of family history?

10. How does Claudius show that his power is beginning to affect him while in Ostia?

(see the answer keys)

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