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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 does Tiberius propose rewarding Sejanus for breaking the Leek Green party?

2. Who is the first person that Caligula ordered killed after taking the throne?

3. What finally happens to Plancina?

4. What does Livia tell Claudius about himself?

5. Why does Caligula start to become unpopular?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Cassius threaten to do if the other conspirators refuse to go through with the plot?

2. What does Caligula tell Livia as she is dying?

3. Who are the only male Claudians left by the time Tiberius dies?

4. How does Caligula manage to ride a horse across the Bay of Baiæ?

5. Describe some of Caligula's methods for raising money.

6. Why does Livia play up the rivalry between Sejanus and Castor to Tiberius?

7. How does Calpurnia help Claudius avoid being tried for treason during Caligula's reign?

8. What does Claudius hope will happen once Caligula announces his new status as a God?

9. How does Sejanus arrange for Claudius's divorce?

10. Why is Livia so insistent on becoming a Goddess?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Livia was the most powerful woman of her time in Ancient Rome. But only because she was willing to commit crimes and manipulate those men who held political power. Would Livia have made the same choices in a system where she could rule directly, without a husband or son?

Essay Topic 2

Why did the Roman Republic become a dictatorship? Research and write a paper describing the transition from one system to the other.

Essay Topic 3

Historical fiction is a blend of fact and imagination. Write a paper pointing out when Robert Graves is basing his story on fact and when he is allowing himself to imagine what might have happened.

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This section contains 587 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample