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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 group believed happiness is the enjoyment of pleasure and the avoidance of pain?

2. Who is the discussion between, in "Discussions at Tusculum"?

3. Who does Grant say took over power in the Roman Republic during Cicero's writing?

4. When did Cicero do his writing, according to the introduction?

5. What are the series of arguments about in "On Duties"?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the importance of stability in external goods, according to "Discussions at Tusculum"?

2. What does Discussions at Tusculum discuss?

3. What style did Cicero write in and why?

4. How do wise rulers win their subjects, according to Cicero?

5. Describe what Cicero said about justice and intelligence, in "On Duties."

6. Tell why Cicero didn't identify with one type of philosophical school.

7. Of those listed in the introduction, what were some of the opinions the various author's had of Cicero?

8. What did the Stoics believe made a happy life and did their belief mean?

9. How was Cicero received by the public?

10. What are 'preferables,' 'unpreferables,' and 'indifferents' according to the Stoics?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how each chapter of "On The Good Life" supports Cicero's own lifestyle and opinion of living. Discuss if you think Cicero lived the life of goodwill and virtue he suggests and outlines for his readers to be able to reach "the good life."

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss how the role of Africanus in Chapter 3: Laelius: On Friendship and Chapter 5: The Dream of Scipio are both similar and yet different. Discuss how the role of Africanus is different from the other characters in each chapter of "On The Good Life."

Essay Topic 3

Analyze and discuss the scene where Scipio sees the cosmic universe in The Dream of Scipio. Explain what symbolism Scipio's focus of earth suggests about human connection and spirituality.

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