View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Asinius Gallus mean?

2. What happens when Claudius begins his speech to the soldiers?

3. What does Marsus suggest to Claudius?

4. Why are the chariots ineffective in the Colchester battle for the Britons?

5. Why does the crowd from the marketplace follow Asinius to the palace?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Claudius marry Agrippinilla over other potential women?

2. Why does Claudius call for support from the palace guards? What about them does he trust above others?

3. 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?

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

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

6. What deceit does Messalina play on Claudius and his army commander while Claudius is in Britain?

7. How does Herod symbolize his manifestation as the Messiah?

8. Of the five additional honors the Senate gives Claudius for his victory in Britain, describe two of them and explain why he is chosen to have these honors.

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

10. How do the Senate and people react to Messalina and Claudius' separation?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Druid rituals and practices. Then, discuss why Roman culture would disagree with the religion more than any other religions it tolerates within its kingdom.

Essay Topic 2

What is the prophecy of the Jewish Messiah? Why would King Herod believe he is the one? What contributing factors lend him to such a belief?

Essay Topic 3

What is the role of the emperor versus the role of the adviser? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each role? Cite examples from the book to show the pros and cons of each position.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,330 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample