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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 the wedding party of Messalina and Silius know to run before the guards arrive?
(a) Pallus sends a messenger ahead of the guards to warn everyone.
(b) Barbillus predicted their coming.
(c) By the trampling noise of the officers' feet.
(d) Vettius warns them from atop a tree.

2. What do Cleopatra and Calpurnia see in Rome that causes them alarm for Claudius?
(a) Vitellius and Messalina committing adultery.
(b) Silius speaking suspiciously to the commander of the palace guards.
(c) The Senate convening to speak of restoring the republic.
(d) Messalina and Silius getting married.

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

4. Who tries to persuade Claudius to adopt Lucius Domitius?
(a) Lucius Domitius.
(b) Agrippinilla.
(c) Octavia.
(d) Pallas.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Claudius expel from the city?

2. What does Marsus suggest to Claudius?

3. Why does Claudius give sacrifices to Diana and Apollo?

4. What proof does Claudius see that shows Messalina's deception?

5. How does Vitellius die?

Short Essay Questions

1. What punishments does the court in Hell consider for Claudius?

2. What is Britannicus relationship with his father? How does it change in the last years of Claudius' life?

3. Why does Claudius seem to favor Nero above Britannicus? What is his true plan?

4. How does Calpurnia show her loyalty to Claudius?

5. What are the gods' opinions of Claudius as they confer on his deity?

6. How does Agrippinilla give power into Nero's hands? How does Claudius react to this?

7. What are the usual feelings about a solar eclipse by the public? How does Claudius get the populace to feel differently about it?

8. According to Claudius, what is the most important reason to conquer the British isles? What does it give to the Roman Empire above other commodities?

9. As Claudius presides over the trials of Messalina's adulterers and traitors at the wedding party, Messalina writes him three letters. Describe these letters and how it shows Messalina's true character.

10. How does Claudius use his power as an emperor for personal use, and how does he justify his action?

(see the answer keys)

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