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

Multiple Choice 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?
(a) Pompey allied himself with Metellus to overthrow Sertorius' rebellions in Spain.
(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 Caesar in an attempt to overthrow Sylla.

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

3. How old does Plutarch claim Alexander to have been when Philip left him in charge of Macedon while he went on an expedition against Byzantine?
(a) 16.
(b) 18.
(c) 14.
(d) 20.

4. How did Alexander show favor to Eumenes, according to Plutarch?
(a) By allowing Eumenes to train the royal horses.
(b) By employing Eumenes in the palace.
(c) By making Eumenes his spear carrier.
(d) By arranging Eumenes' marriage to the sister of his wife.

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

6. In what hearing before the Senate did Cato first confront Caesar, according to Plutarch?
(a) The hearing of the conspirators with Cataline.
(b) The hearing during which Crassus and Pompey were announced in the Triumvirate with Caesar.
(c) The hearing to determine the fate of Lentulus and Cethegus who were discovered by Cicero to be conspiring to overthrow the Empire.
(d) The hearing for distributing land to homeless soldiers.

7. How did Plutarch compare Sertorius and Eumenes in their views of war?
(a) Both Eumenes hated the death of war, but loved the thrill of strategy.
(b) Eumenes naturally loved war, but Sertorius esteemed peace and tranquility.
(c) Both Eumenes and Sertorius loved war.
(d) Both Eumenes and Sertorius esteemed peace and tranquility.

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. 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 took possession of a field owned by Sylla.
(c) When he challenged Sylla's hold on power directly in the Senate.
(d) When he allied himself with Sylla's enemies in the Senate.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Plutarch report Caesar lost his position as Dictator?

2. What Roman political leader does Plutarch claim was a friend to Cato's family?

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

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

5. Who was the Persian King that Plutarch reported Alexander defeated on his expedition to India?

(see the answer keys)

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