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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Plutarch claim Caesar said when he heard of Cato's suicide?
(a) "You're a greater man than I, Cato."
(b) "My greatest enemy has been vanquished and now I can rule supreme."
(c) "Cato, I grudge your death, as you have grudged me the preservation of your life."
(d) "I come not to bury Cato, but to praise him."

2. What did Plutarch report to be Agesilaus' physical deformity?
(a) He had one leg shorter than the other.
(b) He was blind.
(c) He had a lame hand.
(d) He had only one eye.

3. What does Plutarch declare to be the condition of men in public life?
(a) "You see what power is--holding someone else's fear in your hand and showing it to them."
(b) "...(They) are content to make themselves the slaves and followers of all the people's humors and caprices."
(c) "There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endangerment of the public liberty.
(d) "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

4. What was Caesar's first step, according to Plutarch, when he was informed of Sylla's power being in decline?
(a) He attended the school of a famous rhetorician named Apollonius.
(b) He began rallying support in the senate to have Sylla removed from power.
(c) He joined with Crassus and Pompey to form a triumvirate to overpower Sylla.
(d) He returned to his home realizing that Sylla no longer had the support to eliminate his enemies.

5. According to Plutarch, what eventually led to Alexander and his mother, Olympia, separating from Philip to become his rivals?
(a) Philip's humiliating defeat against the Spartans.
(b) Philip's squandering the family wealth on horses and soldiers.
(c) Philip's many marriages.
(d) Philip's drunken display at the wedding of one of his nieces.

6. Where does Plutarch report Alexander died?
(a) India.
(b) Babylon.
(c) Persia.
(d) Athens.

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

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

9. What does Plutarch report of Cato during this civil war?
(a) He remained in the Senate to help keep peace in Rome.
(b) He remained neutral only to be taken prison by Caesar after the war ended.
(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.

10. Who does Plutarch report took in Cato and his siblings after they were orphaned, and for what was this person known?
(a) Servilia who eventually became the wife of Brutus.
(b) 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.
(c) Sylla who was the most violent despot of Rome.
(d) Pompaedius Silo who became a captain in Caesar's army.

11. From whom did Phocion learn of the military during his youth, according to Plutarch?
(a) Sertorius, the Roman.
(b) Eumenes, the Spartan.
(c) Chabrias, the General.
(d) Philip, the Macedonian.

12. What does Plutarch report to be the joke that Neoptoleumus, captain of Alexander's lifeguard, told of Eumenes?
(a) That Alexander fought with soldiers, but Eumenes fought with words.
(b) That Eumemes' battles were always fiercer on paper than they were in the field.
(c) That he had followed Alexander with shield and spear, but Eumenes only with pen and paper.
(d) That other armies train with swords, but Ememes' army trains with parchment.

13. What does Plutarch report to be the condition of Lacedaemonia when Agis and his partner began their reign?
(a) It was taken by avarice, a base spirit, luxury, effeminacy and had fallen from her former virtue and repute.
(b) Lacedaemonia had become little more than a crossroad for commerce to more industrious cities.
(c) It was beaten down by wars with citizens who had lost hope of recovery.
(d) Lacedaemonia had risen to become the most powerful of Spartan cities.

14. What subject does Plutarch report Sertorius mastered as a youth?
(a) Oratory.
(b) History.
(c) Mathematics.
(d) Grammar.

15. What Roman political leader does Plutarch claim was a friend to Cato's family?
(a) Pompey.
(b) Sylla.
(c) Caesar.
(d) Sertorius.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Plutarch report to be Phocion's retort when Athens began to celebrate the death of Philip of Macedon?

2. Who does Plutarch report to be the master of Rome before Caesar came to power?

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

4. How did Alexander show favor to Eumenes, according to Plutarch?

5. Who were they, and what were the nationalities of Alexander's parents, according to Plutarch?

(see the answer keys)

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