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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Plutarch report led to Antony's suicide at the threat of being defeated by Octavian?
(a) His love affair with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and his defense of Egypt against Octavian.
(b) He was cornered with the co-conspirators of Caesar.
(c) He sided with Lepidus in a civil war against Octavian.
(d) He began a civil war with Ocavian and Lepidus in an effort to take total power of Rome.

5. For what does Plutarch claim Artaxerxes II was known?
(a) He was known for his biting sarcastic rhetorical style.
(b) He was known for constructing ana alliance of Greeks and Macedonians.
(c) He was known for having one leg shorter than the other.
(d) He was known as the Mindful.

6. According to Plutarch, what lead to the death of Aratus' father?
(a) He died in battle for Sicyon.
(b) He was killed by a jealous magistrate wanting to take his power.
(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.

7. Plutarch's tone in the profile of Aratus changes from his other reports. Why is this?
(a) Plutarch declares Aratus to be his most favored figure.
(b) It was written directly to a descendant of Aratus named Polycrates.
(c) Plutarch is a decendant of Aratus.
(d) Plutarch was commissioned by Aratus' decendants to write the history.

8. What is the difference Plutarch cites between the leaders that Dion and Brutus overthrew?
(a) Dion overthrew a king in his own castle, but Brutus overthrew a leader on the floor of the senate.
(b) Dion overthrew a popular king, but Brutus overthrew a despised tyrant.
(c) Dion overthrew an obvious tyrant, but there is no evidence that Caesar was a tyrant.
(d) Dion overthrew a king over a city, but Brutus overthrew the leader of a vast empire.

9. Why does Plutarch claim that Cicero's leading the execution of conspirators to overthrow Rome was controversial?
(a) Because they were done without a trial.
(b) Because executions of failed conspirators was rare.
(c) Because the conspiracy involved Rome's most important generals.
(d) Because Romans abhorred violence.

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

11. According to Plutarch, what was the purpose of the Greek alliances that Aratus helped to form?
(a) Creating a great empire to challenge the Romans.
(b) To provide an empire for his ancestor's wealth.
(c) Mutual defense of the allied cities.
(d) To establish a political base for his plans for power.

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

13. Who did Plutarch identify as being responsible for opposing and turning back the legal and land reforms that were won by Caius as tribune?
(a) Octavius.
(b) Antony.
(c) Opimius.
(d) Caius Laelius.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Tiberius finally push his land reform law through the Senate, according to Plutarch?

2. What did Plutarch claim to be the differences in motivation between Demosthenes and Cicero?

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

4. What quote from Plato does Plutarch use to begin a criticism in his profiles of Demetrius and Antony?

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

(see the answer keys)

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