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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How was Cyrus' effort to overthrow Artaxerxes ended, according to Plutarch?
(a) He saw his challenge was harmful to Persia and committed suicide.
(b) Cyrus was killed in a conspiracy led by Artaxerxes' son Darius.
(c) He died in battle, supposedly by a spear thrown by Artaxerxes.
(d) Their mother demanded they stop.

2. In the comparison of Tiberius and Caius Gracchus (henceforth identified here as "The Roman Brothers") with Agis and Cleomenes ("The Spartans"), how does Plutarch refer to Tiberius and Caius as a unit?
(a) Sons of Gracchus.
(b) The Romans.
(c) Tiberius and Caius.
(d) The Gracchi.

3. Where did Demosthenes encourage Greeks to resist the rule of Philip and Alexander, according to Plutarch?
(a) In the Athenian Assembly.
(b) On the streets of Athens.
(c) Through a Greek defensive alliance called Achaea.
(d) At the battle of Chaeronea.

4. How does Plutarch compare the motivations of rebelling between Dion and Brutus?
(a) Dion rebelled against tyranny, but Brutus sought to restore the Roman Republic.
(b) Many supported Dion's revolution, but Brutus was opposed by the general public.
(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. Who does Plutarch identify as the father of Aratus?
(a) Timoclides.
(b) Cleon.
(c) Clinias.
(d) Abantidas.

6. With whom does Plutarch report that Cicero joined in a conspiracy with against the son of Caesar?
(a) Antony and Lepidus.
(b) Cataline and Darius.
(c) Pompey and Crassus.
(d) Brutus and Cassius.

7. Why does Plutarch suggest that Dion was banished from Syracuse by the supporters of Dionysisus' son, Dionysisus II?
(a) They feared that he was plotting to take Dionysius II's throne.
(b) They feared he would have them killed.
(c) They feared that he would rise above them in power.
(d) They feared the influence he was having against the Dionysius II use of tyrrany.

8. Who did Brutus join in the successful assassination attempt against Caesar, according to Plutarch?
(a) Pompey.
(b) Crassus.
(c) Cassius.
(d) Antony.

9. What role did Antony eventually take in Rome, according to Plutarch, after Caesar's assassination?
(a) He became the consul of the senate.
(b) He became the lead diplomat to Egypt.
(c) He took power with Lepidius and Octavian in a triumvirate similar to the one formed by Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.
(d) He became one of Rome's most powerful generals.

10. 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.

11. According to Plutarch, for what was Cicero's rhetoric noted?
(a) Somber and serious focus.
(b) Sharp wit, constant joking, and sarcastic remarks.
(c) Planned and methodical logic.
(d) Fiery emotion and revolutionary appeal.

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

13. According to Plutarch, what was the difference in political support between "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" kept opposition in check with strong support from the plebes, but "The Spartans" won political challenges through forceful personalities.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" were opposed by influential men of their day, but "The Spartans" were supported by history and the authority of one of the most important political leaders of Sparta.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" had strong support from leaders in the senate, but "The Spartans" got their support from military men.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" had their support from military men, but "The Spartans" were supported by the general public.

14. Based upon the intended audience of the profile on Aratus, what does Plutarch establish as his focus?
(a) The gratitude of the decendants of Aratus.
(b) His personal similarity to the nobility of Aratus.
(c) The desire of other public figures to conduct themselves like Aratus.
(d) The influence that ancestral examples can have on developing the character of children.

15. How did Plutarch explain the difference between Tiberius and Caius when they delivered speeches?
(a) Tiberius was gentle and composed, and Caius was earnest and vehement.
(b) Tiberius was rehearsed and serious; Caius was sarcastic and whimisical.
(c) Tiberius was verbose and theatrical; Caius was slow and methodical.
(d) Tiberius was confrontational; Caius was diplomatic.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Plutarch claim to be the main issue facing Tiberius after he was elected tribune of the people?

2. How does Plutarch claim that Demosthenes became the best orator of his time?

3. What does Plutarch record that Antony did in response to Brutus' and Cassius' assassination of Caesar?

4. What does Plutarch identify as the difference in the characters between "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?

5. Who did Plutarch identify as being responsible for opposing and turning back the legal and land reforms that were won by Caius as tribune?

(see the answer keys)

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