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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. 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 scarcely was he ever seen by any Athenian either laughing, or in tears."
(c) "He that remonstrates with them (public bodies) on their errors is presumed to be insulting over their misfortunes...."
(d) "...That public bodies are most insulting and contumelious to a good man,...."

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

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

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

10. 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) "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
(d) "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.

11. 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 joined Caesar to benefit his career in the senate.
(c) He remained in the Senate to help keep peace in Rome.
(d) He fled with Pompey and stopped in Utica while Pompey proceeded to Greece.

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

13. What does Plutarch claim caused Caesar and Pompey to become rivals for power?
(a) Pompey's defeat to Sertorius in Spain.
(b) Crassus' death.
(c) The rivalry between Pompey's father and Caesar's family.
(d) Pompey's alliance with Crassus.

14. What preceded Caesar's election by the Senate to Dictator, according to Plutarch?
(a) Brutus' pledge of support to Caesar.
(b) Cassius choosing to join Caesar's army.
(c) His defeat over Pompey in a civil war.
(d) A crowd stirring speech by Antony.

15. How did Agesilaus take the throne from his brother, Agis, according to Plutarch?
(a) Agesilaus poisoned Agis.
(b) Lysander, a popular general, applied a misinterpretation of a prophesy against the rumored illegitimate son of Agis.
(c) Agesilaus hired conspirators to murder Agis.
(d) Agesilaus defeated Agis in a duel.

Short Answer Questions

1. What victory of Phocion over the Macedonians did Plutarch report as being that which earned the admiration of Philip, King of Macedon?

2. What does Plutarch report to be the joke that Neoptoleumus, captain of Alexander's lifeguard, told of Eumenes?

3. In what hearing before the Senate did Cato first confront Caesar, according to Plutarch?

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

5. How old was Alexander when Plutarch claims he took the Macedonian throne after Philip's death?

(see the answer keys)

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