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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Plutarch identify as the primary difference between "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" improved their virtue through generous education but "The Spartans" kept their virtue in a social environment that had corrupted others.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" were wealthy landowners, but "The Spartans" gained their wealth through military exploits.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" tried to revert the Roman culture to its old ways, but "The Spartans" only tried moderate changes in the legal system.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" were great warriors, but "The Spartans" were thinkers and politicians.

2. What did Plutarch claim to be the differences in motivation between Demosthenes and Cicero?
(a) Demosthenes was motivated by personal gain, but Cicero refused to take any gifts.
(b) Demosthenes was motivated by inspiring Greeks to their past glory, but Cicero was driven by the desire for glory.
(c) Demosthenes was humble and generous, but Cicero was impulsive and greedy.
(d) Demosthenes sought glory and honor, but Cicero was motivated by personal gain.

3. According to Plutarch, what lead to the death of Aratus' father?
(a) He was killed by a jealous magistrate wanting to take his power.
(b) He died in battle for Sicyon.
(c) He was chosen to as a magistrate over Sicyon as it tried to relieve itself from several tyrannies.
(d) He was killed after being exposed as leader of a conspiracy to overthrow a tyranny.

4. How does Plutarch compare the motivations of rebelling between Dion and Brutus?
(a) Many supported Dion's revolution, but Brutus was opposed by the general public.
(b) Dion rebelled against tyranny, but Brutus sought to restore the Roman Republic.
(c) Many thought Dion sought power for himself, but Brutus wanted only to serve Rome.
(d) Dion rebelled for the benefit of Syracusans, but Brutus wanted power.

5. What did Plutarch report Darius did to prevent his ascension to Artaxerxes' throne?
(a) He was discovered in a conspiracy to kill Artaxerxes and was executed.
(b) He married a Spartan woman.
(c) He made himself a eunuch.
(d) He fled for Rome.

6. How was the Artaxerxes from Plutarch's "Lives" related to the first Artaxerxes to rule over Persia?
(a) He was a general who just happened to have the same name.
(b) They were the same person.
(c) He was a distant nephew whose family conspired to come into the line of the throne.
(d) He was the grandson to Artaxerxes through his mother, Parysatis.

7. What quote from Plato does Plutarch use to begin a criticism in his profiles of Demetrius and Antony?
(a) "Whence it was that, men say, Simonides called Sparta "the tamer of men," because by early strictness of education, they became wise."
(b) "Great natures produce great vices as well as virtues."
(c) "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
(d) It is not great wonder if in long process of time, while fortune takes her course hither and thither, numerous coincidences should spontaneously occur."

8. According to Plutarch, why was the issue still alive for Tiberius in spite of previous efforts to address the issue?
(a) Crassus' well known animosity for Caesar put his causes on the losing side in the senate.
(b) Caius Laelius folded under political pressure from men of authority.
(c) Cicero's sarcastic rhetorical style alienated more senators than it won over.
(d) Scipio could not overcome the political influence of senators who had sold their votes to wealthy landowners.

9. What is the reason Plutarch gives for Aratus deciding to make alliance with Philip of Macedon?
(a) To defend Greece from the Spartans.
(b) Cleomenes' victories over nearly all Achaean cities.
(c) To prevent being attacked by Philip.
(d) To benefit from the empire Philip was building.

10. How did Tiberius finally push his land reform law through the Senate, according to Plutarch?
(a) He imposed an edict preventing all magistrates from performing their functions until the law was passed.
(b) He incited the homeless soldiers to storm the senate and forse it to support the law.
(c) He used his rhetorical skills to influence the senate to support his land reform law.
(d) He influenced the praetorian guard to enforce the law in spite of it not passing the senate.

11. Who does Plutarch identify as predecessor to Galba as emperor of Rome?
(a) Otho.
(b) Nero.
(c) Lepidus.
(d) Octavian.

12. Which one of the four being compared does Plutarch report had no great action worthy of a commander?
(a) Caius.
(b) Tiberius.
(c) Cleomenes.
(d) Agis.

13. After Dion drove Donysius II from Syracuse, what does Plutarch claim came of his attempt to form a government?
(a) He was chased from the city by supporters of Dionysius II.
(b) He could not get leaders of factions to agree.
(c) A popular faction opposed his plans.
(d) He proved to be unable to implement his plans.

14. Why did Plutarch claim Artaxerxes' mother favored Cyrus as king when Darius died?
(a) Because she had given birth to Cyrus after Darius had become king.
(b) Because Cyrus was peaceful and Artaxerxes was a warrior.
(c) Because Artaxerxes' mother became pregnant with him while Cyrus was married to another woman.
(d) Because Artaxerxes travelled on campaigns with his father, while Cyrus stayed and managed the home for his mother.

15. What did Plutarch report to be the differences between Rome and Sparta at the time "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans" had their influence?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" lived at the time that Rome had risen to its greatest repute, but "The Spartans" lived when Sparta was sinking and debauched.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" became part of a movement to unite the provinces of Rome, but "The Spartans" were fighting to free Sparta from Macedonian domination.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" lived in a time of rebellion against Rome by its extended provinces, but "The Spartans" were part of a time of peace and industry.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" lived as Rome was transitioning from a Republic to an Empire, but "The Spartans" lived as Sparta was coming to the end of extended captivity to Macedon.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Plutarch, what was Artaxerxes' name before he became king?

2. Who did wealthy land owners influence from the Senate to oppose Tiberius' efforts at land reform, according to Plutarch?

3. According to Plutarch, what was the purpose of the Greek alliances that Aratus helped to form?

4. What does Plutarch report led to Antony's suicide at the threat of being defeated by Octavian?

5. Who does Plutarch report to be the father of Tiberius and Caius Gracchus?

(see the answer keys)

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