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

Short Answer Questions

1. How is Scipio taken captive by Sulla?

2. What happens to Metella, Sulla's wife, during one of his banquets?

3. What does Sulla publish after taking control of Rome?

4. What tactic does Sulla employ to overcome his men's fear of war?

5. What does Rex Warner, the translator, say about Plutarch's account of Marius's political skill?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Caesar affect the political career of Crassus?

2. Why does Sulla give up the dictatorship and how does he live his life at this point?

3. What is interesting about Sulla's funeral and the inscription on his burial stone?

4. What happens to Sulla's wife, Metella, and what does Sulla do?

5. What is Crassus's main vice, and how is this displayed?

6. What happens to Crassus's son?

7. How does the feud between Marius and Metellus begin?

8. What does Marius do when elected consul to endear himself to the people?

9. How does Crassus die and what do the Parthians do after his death?

10. How does the civil war between Marius and Sulla start, and what is the result of it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Plutarch mentions that Caesar has a more impressive military career than any of the other Roman leaders mentioned in the book. Analyze Caesar's military experience and the way he chooses to fight his battles, citing specific examples of what earns him so much respect from his soldiers and the people of Rome. Also, describe the way Caesar's military accomplishments compare to those of the other leaders and if your analysis supports Plutarch's opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Omens played a big part of the way Romans lived their lives and made their decisions.

1) Using each of the six figures for which Plutarch provides a biography, describe the different omens that they encounter and the way that they choose to react to them.

2) Analyze the differences or similarities between how the Roman leaders responded to omens during their lives, and the results of their regard for them.

3) Explain what you think the significance of omens were in general to the Roman Republic and the people who lived during that time.

Essay Topic 3

Pompey's death was a result of the betrayal of the Egyptians.

1) Describe the dilemma that the Egyptians are faced with as Pompey approaches their shores. Analyze their decision, whether or not you agree with it, and why.

2) Explain the way Pompey decides to proceed to the shores of Egypt, his reaction to his impending death, and how he is killed .

3) Describe Caesar's response to Pompey's death along with his actions following it, and what you think his reasons are for both.

(see the answer keys)

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