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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the first similarity that Plutarch recognized between Sertorius and Eumenes?
(a) That they were both ferocious in battle.
(b) That they were both embraced by the political leaders of their countries.
(c) That they both came from laboring families but worked up to the Noble class.
(d) They were both banished to foreign lands, but came to be commanders of powerful forces.

2. What did Plutarch report to be the difference between how the island allies of Athens treated other arriving Athenian admirals compared to their reception of Phocion?
(a) Islands were opened very freely to other admirals, but they feared Phocion's plundering ways.
(b) Other admirals were treated as an enemy suspect, but Phocion was greeted with private boats and barges with streamers and garlands.
(c) Other admirals were treated with ambivalence, but they regarded Phocion with tremendous fear.
(d) Other admirals were greeted with private boats and barges with streamers and garlands, but Phocion was treated as an enemy suspect.

3. Who does Plutarch report took in Cato and his siblings after they were orphaned, and for what was this person known?
(a) Livius Drusus, an uncle on Cato's mother's side, raised the orphaned siblings, he was known for his role in the government and as being a very eloquent speaker.
(b) Sylla who was the most violent despot of Rome.
(c) Pompaedius Silo who became a captain in Caesar's army.
(d) Servilia who eventually became the wife of Brutus.

4. What did Plutarch report to be Phocion's view of war whenever he was brought into debates with other Greek leaders?
(a) He always advocated drawing the enemy out into the open.
(b) His advice was always for peace and quietness.
(c) He believe a man could have no greater virtue than the desire to face bloody combat.
(d) He thrilled in the adventure of defeating an enemy.

5. There were 12 Roman Caesar's. Which one is Plutarch chronicling?
(a) The first Caesar, Gaius Julius Caesar.
(b) Tiberius Caesar.
(c) Octavious Caesar.
(d) Caesar Augustus.

6. Why does Plutarch claim Philip believed that Alexander was a demi-god?
(a) Because Alexander showed unnatural skill and intelligence from an early age.
(b) Because Philip once saw a serpent sleeping with his wife and he was advised by a pagan priest that the serpent was Ammon (Zeus, Jupiter) who had taken that form.
(c) Because Philip had a dream about serpents sleeping with Olympia that were signs of Jupiter's presence.
(d) Because there were three omens that prophets interpreted that Alexander's birth was exalted.

7. What was the most notable sign that Plutarch suggests that proves Caesar had begun to win popular support to challenge Sylla?
(a) When he praised an enemy of Sylla's, named Marius, during the eulogy of Marius' wife.
(b) When he challenged Sylla's hold on power directly in the Senate.
(c) When he took possession of a field owned by Sylla.
(d) When he allied himself with Sylla's enemies in the Senate.

8. What are the character qualities Plutarch attributes to Cato from infancy?
(a) He had an uncommon ability to retain knowledge.
(b) He had an inflexible temper, resolute in purpose, and not easily provoked to anger.
(c) He had an influential rhetorical style that easily impressed audiences.
(d) He showed great sensitivity to women and plebes.

9. Who did Plutarch claim Agis had imprisoned and hanged?
(a) Agesilaus.
(b) Lysander.
(c) Leotychides.
(d) Leonidas.

10. How does Plutarch compare the climb to power between Agesilaus and Pompey?
(a) Pompey made his rise to greatness by the fairest and justest means, but Agesilaus rose through the deception of a misinterpreted prophesy.
(b) Pompey made his rise to power with great military victories, but Agesilaus rose by negotiating peace.
(c) Pompey made his rise to power by murdering rivals, but Agesilaus rose by negotiating with rivals.
(d) Pompey made his rise to greatness by confronting tyrants, but Agesilaus rose through allying with tryants.

11. How does Plutarch claim the birth order of Agis and Agesilaus affected their lives?
(a) Agis, the older, was educated to be king, and Agesilaus was given a common education.
(b) Agis, the older, was trained in military matters, but Agesilaus was trained in agricultural arts.
(c) Agis, the older, was the favorite of the father, but Agesilaus was the favorite of their mother.
(d) Agis, the older, was given the inheritance of the king, but Agesilaus was given the authority over a province.

12. In what sort of family does Plutarch claim Sertorius was raised?
(a) A ruling class family.
(b) A military family.
(c) A noble family.
(d) A poor laboring family.

13. What did Plutarch report to be the result of Cato's management of the exchequer?
(a) Cato was inundated with dealing with corruption and faced down opposition.
(b) Cato reduced taxes, but the senate was preoccupied with using the treasury for political favors.
(c) Cato filled it with treasure and made it appear the state might be rich without oppressing the people.
(d) Cato served only briefly because of the corrupt expectations of the political system.

14. According to Plutarch, who authored laws in Lacedaemonia that caused land that was once subject to inheritance within families to be taken into a few wealthy hands?
(a) Leonidas.
(b) Lysander.
(c) Epitadeus.
(d) Leotychides.

15. Why does Plutarch suggest that Cleomenes eliminated the office of ephors from Spartan Government?
(a) Because the ephors were a barrier to his desire to battle the Greeks.
(b) Because he discovered he was king in name only and that the ephors had all the power.
(c) Because he discovered the ephors were stealing from the public coffers.
(d) Because the ephors were inciting the public to overthrow him.

Short Answer Questions

1. With whom did Pompey ally himself to overcome the reputation of his father, and who did Plutarch report they oppose in a civil conflict for power over Rome?

2. From whom did Phocion learn of the military during his youth, according to Plutarch?

3. What event led Philip to commission Aristotle to teach Alexander, according to Plutarch?

4. What was a political hurdle that Plutarch claimed Pompey had to overcome?

5. How far to the East did Plutarch claim Alexander spread his empire?

(see the answer keys)

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