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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What had Marcus's father just been appointed as on his last departure, according to the narrator in Chapter 1?
(a) The Praetorian Guard.
(b) First Cohort of the Hispania.
(c) The Sixth Legion of Egypt.
(d) The First Legion of Egypt.

2. What had an artist of a long-departed garrison etch into the bath-house wall, according to the narrator in Chapter 2?
(a) A wild cat.
(b) A dragon.
(c) A snake.
(d) A wolf.

3. What is the name of the Surgeon of Marcus's garrison that tends to him in Chapter 4?
(a) Lutorius.
(b) Tartarus.
(c) Esca.
(d) Aulus.

4. Who is referred to in Chapter 4 as "A most efficient officer ... with the air of a grey-headed Legate" (52)?
(a) Centurion Cassius.
(b) Centurion Pilus Prior.
(c) Centurion Herpinius.
(d) Centurion Maximus.

5. Near what ancient city did Marcus Flavius Aquila grow up with his mother on the family farm?
(a) Valencia.
(b) Isca.
(c) Clusium.
(d) Calleva.

6. What former Roman province is Marcus setting out for in his mission in Chapter 10?
(a) Valentia.
(b) Anderida.
(c) Eburacum.
(d) Isca.

7. What is Marcus's response when Esca asks him in Chapter 8, "Was it as bad as that" (108)?
(a) "Don't ask."
(b) "Go to sleep."
(c) "I cannot say."
(d) "Yes."

8. What word from the novel refers to an open-roofed central court in an ancient Roman home?
(a) Foyer.
(b) Pilum.
(c) Atrium.
(d) Typhon.

9. Galarius claims in Chapter 8 that an oculist's craft is one for a follower of whom?
(a) Aesculapius.
(b) Procyon.
(c) Perseus.
(d) Tartarus.

10. What shocks Placidus about Marcus in Chapter 9?
(a) He is shocked that Marcus is alive.
(b) He is shocked to learn that he is related to the emperor.
(c) He is shocked to learn he was a Centurion.
(d) He is shocked that Marcus has not married.

11. How long does Uncle Aquila say it has been since he has been to Eburacum in Chapter 10?
(a) 15 years.
(b) 25 years.
(c) 12 years.
(d) 16 years.

12. How long has it been since Marcus's surgery in the beginning of Chapter 9?
(a) Eight months.
(b) Two weeks.
(c) Six months.
(d) Two months.

13. What kind of war does Centurion Quintus Hilarion say is "ever the most deadly kind, for it recks nothing of consequences" (15) in Chapter 1?
(a) "Direct-contact war."
(b) "War of revenge."
(c) "Global war."
(d) "Holy war."

14. Where was Marcus sent upon arriving in Britain in late autumn, according to the narrator in Chapter 1?
(a) Essex.
(b) Valencia.
(c) London.
(d) Isca.

15. What does the garrison Surgeon give Marcus to drink after he awakens in Chapter 4?
(a) Beer.
(b) Milk.
(c) Mead.
(d) Water.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where has Marcus's wolf cub been put during his surgery in Chapter 8?

2. What Centurion does the narrator say is overfond of using his vine-staff on his men's backs in Chapter 2?

3. What does the word "cockcrow" (44) refer to in Chapter 4?

4. How do the gods show themselves, according to the narrator in Chapter 3?

5. What word refers to an ancient Roman silver coin, originally worth ten asses?

(see the answer keys)

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