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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Seneca's ancestors treat their slaves?
(a) With respect.
(b) With physical abuse.
(c) With mental torture.
(d) Emotionless.

2. What kind of ailments does Seneca say are not as obvious as they worsen?
(a) Physical.
(b) Breathing-related ones.
(c) Spiritual.
(d) Mental.

3. Who says that excessive anger is a threat to one's sanity?
(a) Plato.
(b) Epicurius.
(c) Seneca.
(d) Sophocles.

4. Who is chastised in Letter III for not discussing his personal matters?
(a) Plato.
(b) Seneca.
(c) Lucilius.
(d) Vatia.

5. What kind of people does Seneca warn Lucilius to steer clear of in Letter XLVIII?
(a) Slaves.
(b) Quibblers.
(c) Drunken people.
(d) Wealthy rulers.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why do people become slaves, according to Seneca?

2. Who spends hours quibbling over meaningless logical puzzles, according to Seneca?

3. What does Seneca say about slaves?

4. Who, according to Seneca, retired out of fear of being persecuted by the Emperor?

5. Why, according to Seneca, shouldn't old age frighten a wise man?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Seneca comforts Lucilius at the loss of his friend, he says grief has a purpose. What is that purpose and how should a wise Stoic man deal with the death of a friend?

2. What is Seneca's opinion of Vatia? How does it differ from public opinion?

3. In Letter II, how does Seneca advise Lucilius to proceed with his study of philosophy?

4. What is the goal of philosophy, as stated by Seneca?

5. What is Seneca's theory on slavery?

6. Discuss the necessity of and the problem with diversions, according to Seneca.

7. What are Seneca's thoughts on fear and how to eliminate it from life?

8. Why does Lucilius call Seneca a hypocrite in Letter VIII?

9. What does Seneca confide to Lucilius about his own vices?

10. What does Seneca say about the study of philosophy?

(see the answer keys)

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