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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What tyrannical Syracusan King does Plutarch report Dion served as he became wealthy?
(a) Dionysius II.
(b) Dionysius I.
(c) Sylla.
(d) Nicocles.

2. What does Plutarch identify as the difference in the characters between "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" had a desire to strengthen the systems of the Senate, but "The Spartans" sought to place all power in a single king.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" aspired to despotic power, but "The Spartans had a desire for glory and honors.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" sought to serve the Romans, but "The Spartans" sought to inspire revolution against Sparta's kings.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" had a desire for glory and honors, but "The Spartans" loved contests and aspired to despotic power.

3. What affect does Plutarch claim Aratus' education and his father's death have on Aratus?
(a) He chose to throw himself into his studies and ignore the problems of Sicyon.
(b) He became vengeful and rebellious.
(c) He cultivated a burning hatred of tyranny.
(d) He became suspicious and scheming.

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

5. How does Plutarch claim that Demosthenes became the best orator of his time?
(a) He was trained in rhetorical arts by Aristotle.
(b) He had a natural flare that came naturally.
(c) By practicing long hours to develop a dramatic, persuasive style.
(d) He was an avid reader and often quoted from the ancient masters.

6. What honor does Plutarch report this earned for Demetrius and Antigonus from the Athenians?
(a) They were given a palace.
(b) They were awarded with vineyards and gold.
(c) They were given powerful positions in the Athenian Assembly.
(d) They were named among the Athenian dieties.

7. Who does Plutarch report to be the father of Tiberius and Caius Gracchus?
(a) Tiberius Gracchus I.
(b) Julius Caesar.
(c) Caius Gracchus I.
(d) Cicero.

8. How did Ochus come to succeed Artaxerxes, according to Plutarch?
(a) He murdered his brother Arsames and drove his other brother Ariaspes to suicide.
(b) He was the favorite of his mother.
(c) He avoided war, but his brothers died in war.
(d) He bribed his father.

9. 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) The Romans.
(b) The Gracchi.
(c) Tiberius and Caius.
(d) Sons of Gracchus.

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

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

12. Who did wealthy land owners influence from the Senate to oppose Tiberius' efforts at land reform, according to Plutarch?
(a) Marcus Brutus, who opposed Caesars attempts to spread the wealth from captured cities.
(b) Marcus Octavius, who was considered to be a friend of Tiberius.
(c) Octavius Caesar, who was son of Caesar.
(d) Caius Mancinus, who was a consul of bad reputation.

13. What does Plutarch consider to be the difference between the reasons that Demosthenes and Cicero fled from the authorities?
(a) Demosthenes flight for speaking truth to power was more noble that Cicero's flight out of fear because he had insulted a powerful general.
(b) Demosthenes fled because his rhetoric made him the enemies of the powerful, but Cicero left for the humiliation of insulting his superiors.
(c) The bribery accusation from which Demosthenes fled was less honorable than Cicero's flight for opposing Caesar's son's rule.
(d) The call to war that brought Athenians to despise Demosthenes was more admirable than Cicero's flight because he made enemies of powerful leaders.

14. Why does Plutarch consider Demetrius' death more dishonorable than Antony's?
(a) Because Demetrius died in captivity after a failed military adventure.
(b) Because Demetrius died from alcoholism.
(c) Because Demetrius died fleeing from his own army.
(d) Because Demetrius died after rebelling against his country.

15. What does Plutarch report that Antony did after his first reaction the Assassination of Caesar?
(a) Began a civil war to punish Brutus and Cassius.
(b) He delivered a speech that turned the Roman population against Brutus and Cassius.
(c) Organized a tribunal to judge the members of the conspiracy.
(d) Joined Octavius and Lepidus in a triumvirate.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Plutarch claim came of Caius after his death?

2. After the death of Tiberius, what did Plutarch report to be the first office to which his brother, Caius was elected?

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

4. How does Plutarch explain public anger both Dion and Brutus received for their stands against Dionysius II and Caesar respectively?

5. What did Plutarch report to be the differences between Rome and Sparta at the time "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans" had their influence?

(see the answer keys)

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