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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. What happened to Martina, the chief witness against Piso and Plancina?

2. Who warns Claudius about the draining of the treasury?

3. What does Livia tell Claudius about her own death?

4. What happens to Nero's brother, Drusus?

5. With Tiberius gone, who was left in charge of the Roman Empire?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Claudius assist in preparing the case against Piso?

2. Who are the three main conspirators in the plot to assassinate Caligula?

3. What makes Germanicus happy about being appointed to oversee the eastern provinces?

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

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

6. How does Antonia discover the plot against Tiberius?

7. How does Claudius save the lives of the three noblemen who accompany him to Lyons?

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

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

10. What metaphor does Claudius use to describe Tiberius's rule?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

What was military life like back in Ancient Rome. Research and write a paper about the typical life of a Roman soldier.

Essay Topic 3

Research a paper about the institution of slavery in Ancient Rome.

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This section contains 501 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample