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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How did Plutarch compare Agesilaus and Pompey in their treatment of the men who supported their rise to power?
(a) Both Agesilaus and Pompey betrayed those who helped them through their careers.
(b) Both Agesilaus and Pompey remained loyal to those who helped their careers.
(c) Pompey remained loyal to Sylla even through the years Sylla had withdrawn his favor, but Agesilaus cast off Lysander with reproach after he rose to power on Lysander's misinterpretation of prophesy.
(d) Agesilaus placed Lysander in an important province to honor his help whereas Pompey began making political connections so he could escape the influence of Sylla.

2. 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 served only briefly because of the corrupt expectations of the political system.
(c) Cato filled it with treasure and made it appear the state might be rich without oppressing the people.
(d) Cato reduced taxes, but the senate was preoccupied with using the treasury for political favors.

3. Who was the Persian King that Plutarch reported Alexander defeated on his expedition to India?
(a) Hercules.
(b) Philip.
(c) Antipater.
(d) Darius.

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

5. Who does Plutarch report to be the master of Rome before Caesar came to power?
(a) Cassius.
(b) Sylla.
(c) Cato.
(d) Crassus.

6. 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.

7. What disaster does Plutarch report occurred on the day that Alexander was born that later added to the legend that he was a demi-god?
(a) The Temple of Diana burned down and a story was spread that it did so because Diana was attending the birth of Alexander.
(b) A Macedonian fleet survived a horrible storm at sea on the day Alexander was born.
(c) Lightning hit the area of the palace where Alexander's mother was giving birth.
(d) An earthquake shook the royal palace while Alexander was being born.

8. How did Plutarch claim Agis and Cleomenes incurred the hatred of the rich and powerful?
(a) By being desirous to restore the noble and just form of government.
(b) By taking their laborers from them to fight in wars.
(c) By taxing them to support homeless soldiers.
(d) By inciting the working class to take their property.

9. What five qualities does Plutarch claim that Sertorius possessed in greater qualities than the other generals to whom Plutarch compared him?
(a) Bravery, wisdom, frugality, humility, and foresightedness.
(b) Contentment, faithfulness, mercy, prudence and judgment.
(c) Ferocity, integrity, honesty, nobility, and courage.
(d) Nobility, mercy honesty, faithfulness, and humility.

10. What did Plutarch report of Phocion's temperament?
(a) "For assuredly there is difference enough among virtues of the same denomination as between the bravery of Alcibiades and that of Eapmindondas,..."
(b) "...That public bodies are most insulting and contumelious to a good man,...."
(c) "He that remonstrates with them (public bodies) on their errors is presumed to be insulting over their misfortunes...."
(d) "...that scarcely was he ever seen by any Athenian either laughing, or in tears."

11. 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 began surpassing the courses taught him in the royal palace.
(c) Alexander showed greater intelligence when confronting foes in wrestling matches.
(d) Alexander began offering innovative strategies for battle to Philip's captains.

12. Who does Plutarch report commissioned Caesar to travel to Spain?
(a) Pompey, who knew he needed Caesar's help.
(b) Cassius, who desired to remove Caesar's influence from the Senate.
(c) Cato, who saw the value of expanding the empire.
(d) Crassus, who was the richest man in Rome.

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

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

15. How did Plutarch report that Cato prevented the Roman Senate from naming Caesar the Consul of Rome?
(a) He used his authority to prevent senators from entering the senate.
(b) He kept the motion to make Caesar consul in the committee.
(c) He spent the entire day speaking and prevented the Senate from acting on the motion.
(d) He used his authority to adjust the calendar of the senate.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Plutarch claim Philip believed that Alexander was a demi-god?

2. How does Plutarch claim the birth order of Agis and Agesilaus affected their lives?

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

4. Plutarch compares Sertorius to Philip, Antigonus, and Hannibal for his aggression, strategy, and what one other commonality?

5. What did Plutarch report to be Agesilaus' physical deformity?

(see the answer keys)

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