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. Who supports the law to give Pompey increased powers to fight the pirates?

2. What does Cicero's name mean?

3. Whom does Clodius ask for help when he is planning his attack on Cicero?

4. What leads to Mithridates' suicide?

5. Where is Pompey living before joining Sulla's military effort?

Short Essay Questions

1. What causes the Egyptians to betray Pompey, how does he die, and what is Caesar's reaction?

2. How do the people show their support for Caesar when he enters politics and what does Cato do to try to lessen Caesar's popularity at that time?

3. How does Caesar die and why has the event become so famous?

4. What kind of reputation does Pompey have with regard to the way he treats enemy soldiers?

5. How does Cicero approach young Caesar when he arrives in Rome, and what happens to cause the two to be on opposite sides?

6. Why does Cicero leave Rome after he draws the ire of Clodius, and how does he return?

7. What are some of the omens that Plutarch discusses leading up to Caesar's death?

8. Why does Cicero retire from public life, and what do his plans include at this point in his life?

9. What is it about Caesar's actions that cause him to lose support from the people, and how does he become a dictator for life?

10. What is the contrast between Caesar's troops and Pompey's troops, and how does that affect the outcome of their war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the civil war between Caesar and Pompey, including an analysis of all factors surrounding the events that led up to it, how it was waged, and the way that it ended. Use the entire book to provide insight on both men to explain the reasons for their parts in the war, and the overall effect it has on the future of Rome.

Essay Topic 2

Caesar's political career was hugely successful as he became appointed a dictator for life by the Roman people.

1) Compare Caesar's approach to politics and the offices he held with others who came before him, particularly Sulla, who had a distinctly different view of the people.

2) Describe the key events that caused Caesar to become so popular among the people, how his decisions and actions contributed to the popularity, and why the people connected with him in that way.

3) Analyze Caesar's political accomplishments and the situations that led him to become consul and then dictator. Also, include a description of the things that Caesar does to lose the support of the people and what his reasons are for them.

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 1,360 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample