View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who joined Agis to turn back the laws that placed inherited land under control of a few wealthy families, according to Plutarch?
(a) Lysander, the son of Libys and Madroclidas, the son of Ecphanes.
(b) Leonidas, son of Cleonymus.
(c) Agesilaus, his half brother.
(d) Cleomenes, husband to Agiatis.

2. What battle against Macedon, according to Plutarch, that Phocion warned against taking that the Athenians lost under a different general?
(a) The battle at Chaeronea.
(b) The battle of Delphi.
(c) The battle for Euboea.
(d) The battle of Persia.

3. How old was Alexander when Plutarch claims he took the Macedonian throne after Philip's death?
(a) 16.
(b) 18.
(c) 14.
(d) 20.

4. With whom did Pompey make war that Plutarch reported eventually led to his death in Egypt?
(a) Pompey led a civil war against Caesar in an attempt to take Caesar's power.
(b) Pompey led a civil war against Sertorius to exert Roman control over Western Europe.
(c) Pompey led a civil war against Crassus to consolidate the power of the Triumvirate.
(d) Pompey led a civil war against Antony after the assassination of Caesar.

5. 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?
(a) Pompey allied himself with Caesar in an attempt to overthrow Sylla.
(b) Pompey allied himself with Crassus to overthrow Caesar.
(c) Pompey allied himself with a very popular general named Sylla and they united their armies to oppose the tyrant, Carbo.
(d) Pompey allied himself with Metellus to overthrow Sertorius' rebellions in Spain.

6. Why does Plutarch claim Philip believed that Alexander was a demi-god?
(a) 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.
(b) Because there were three omens that prophets interpreted that Alexander's birth was exalted.
(c) Because Philip had a dream about serpents sleeping with Olympia that were signs of Jupiter's presence.
(d) Because Alexander showed unnatural skill and intelligence from an early age.

7. How did Plutarch describe Cleomenes' personality?
(a) Ambivalent toward justice but fiery in his pursuit of battle.
(b) Violent and impetuous in personal relationships but focused and thoughtful in combat.
(c) Temperate and moderate in leadership, but outgoing and social with friends.
(d) Temperate and moderate in his pleasures, but impetuous and violent in his eagerness to pursue anything which he thought good and just.

8. What is a major difference between Sertorius and Eumenes that Plutarch recognized?
(a) That Sertorius was a learned captain, but Eumenes gained all of his knowledge from battle.
(b) Sertorius' soldiers yielded to him freely, whereas Eumenes won a contested office by proving his superiority.
(c) That Sertorious had the support of the government, but Eumenes was in rebellion against the government.
(d) Sertorius was well read, but Eumenes was illiterate.

9. According to Plutarch's report, how did Phocion become general more than 45 times?
(a) He subverted the commands of many generals.
(b) He sold his services to many land owners who needed protection.
(c) He was elected to lead the armies by free election.
(d) He was willing to fight for any kingdom that desired his services.

10. What does Plutarch claim Caesar chose to do while Sylla's power reached its peak?
(a) He left Rome in exile.
(b) He joined a conspiracy with Brutus and Cassius to assassinate Sylla.
(c) He gathered forces to challenge Sylla with a civil war.
(d) He contended with Caesar's power in the Senate.

11. What question, according to Plutarch, did Cato ask his guardian, Sarpedon, as he watched executions that were ordered by the Roman political leader?
(a) "What leader would cause this horror?"
(b) "Is this the only justice for these criminals?"
(c) "What law brings this type of justice?"
(d) "Why does nobody kill this man?"

12. What event led Philip to commission Aristotle to teach Alexander, according to Plutarch?
(a) Alexander broke a horse, Bucephalus, in front of his father and his attendants.
(b) Alexander showed greater intelligence when confronting foes in wrestling matches.
(c) Alexander began surpassing the courses taught him in the royal palace.
(d) Alexander began offering innovative strategies for battle to Philip's captains.

13. What does Plutarch report of Cato during this civil war?
(a) He remained neutral only to be taken prison by Caesar after the war ended.
(b) He remained in the Senate to help keep peace in Rome.
(c) He fled with Pompey and stopped in Utica while Pompey proceeded to Greece.
(d) He joined Caesar to benefit his career in the senate.

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

15. Who did Phocion advise Alexander to make war against rather than the Athenians, according to Plutarch?
(a) The Romans.
(b) The Persians.
(c) The Indians.
(d) The Spartans.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Plutarch report commissioned Caesar to travel to Spain?

2. After his return from Spain, with whom does Plutarch claim Caesar took power over Rome in the Triumvirate?

3. According to Plutarch, how did Caesar begin his rise to power over Rome?

4. How did Plutarch compare Agesilaus and Pompey in their treatment of the men who supported their rise to power?

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,056 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample