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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. What is the only thing Umbonius sells at his public auction?
(a) His Senatorial robes.
(b) Corn.
(c) A staff Claudius gave him.
(d) His Corinthian goods.

2. What proof does Claudius see that shows Messalina's deception?
(a) A prepared speech to the Senate claiming a restoration of the Republic.
(b) Silius' new house from Messalina with Claudius' heirlooms.
(c) Her lying eyes when she says she loves him.
(d) Unwarranted documents showing her orders for the privy purse and public stores.

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

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

5. According to Claudius, what proves Asiaticus' guilt?
(a) Asiaticus' sweaty brows.
(b) Asiaticus' resistance to face the court.
(c) Asiaticus' denial of everything charged against him.
(d) Asiaticus' wavering voice.

Short Answer Questions

1. What trick does Posides play on the British guards at the copse?

2. What is the purpose of the Saecular games?

3. What causes Claudius to make it illegal to rob graves?

4. What happens to Claudius' family when he dies?

5. What rumor is going about in the Near East as Claudius fights in Britain?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Silius react to Claudius when they meet for his trial? Does Silius show malicious intent in his acts or as a victim of Messalina?

2. 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?

3. How does Posides help win the war against Britain?

4. What is the invisible barrier between Claudius and the Senate, and how does it come about?

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

6. What is Claudius' view of religion?

7. How are the Romans able to surprise the Britains in the last battle to Colchester? What maneuvers do they take that seem impossible?

8. How might reinstating Mithridater to the Armenian throne help quell the alliance forming in the Near East?

9. Despite citing three different accounts of Claudius' death, what is in common with all of them?

10. What is the reaction of those in Hell when Claudius arrives? Why do they react this way?

(see the answer keys)

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