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 prompts Marius to pursue greater ambitions after his first military service?

2. What does Crassus ignore during his first winter in Syria?

3. What is Marius's statue made out of?

4. What does Sulla require Pompey the Great to do?

5. What does Warner indicate is exaggerated by Plutarch?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Rex Warner describe Plutarch's biography of Marius and why?

2. How does Sulla approach a possible confrontation with the younger Marius?

3. What is Crassus's plan after being elected to the consul, and what mistake does he make that winter?

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

5. How does Marius distinguish himself when he is voted into the office of tribune?

6. What questionable things does Marius do during his sixth term as consul?

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

8. What age does Marius retire from the leadership command position in the military, and what does he do afterward?

9. Where does the expression, "one of Marius's mules" originate?

10. How does Marius's first military experience inspire him to pursue greater accomplishments?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cicero makes an important decision while serving his office that has an unintended effect on his status in Rome.

1) Analyze the decision Cicero has to make concerning the death penalty for Catiline's men who remain in Rome and are planning to destroy the city. Explain both sides of the issue, why Cicero is hesitant to make the decision, and what factors he considers.

2) Describe the political fallout from Cicero's decision, his feud with Clodius, and how the decision is used against Cicero to cause his departure from Rome.

3) Explain the events that take place while Cicero is away from Rome and what ultimately causes his return.

Essay Topic 2

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 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)

This section contains 1,111 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample