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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. For what does Plutarch claim Marcus Brutus is known?
(a) For his role in the civil war with Pompey.
(b) For being the, "Noblest Roman of them all."
(c) Acting as one of the assassins of Caesar.
(d) For being the illegitimate son of Caesar.

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

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

5. How does Plutarch explain that Aratus finally end Nicocles' reign over Sicyon?
(a) He conducted a military confrontation against the army of Sicyon.
(b) He used his rhetorical skills to inspire the population to establish its own government.
(c) He conducted a covert insurrection and drove Nicocles from his house.
(d) He led a revolution in Sicyon to overthrow all the tyrants.

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

7. Why did Plutarch report Cyrus attempted to overthrow Artaxerxes?
(a) Because the people of Persia could not support anymore wars.
(b) Cyrus listened to factious men that voiced the opinion that the times and size of the Persian Empire required a leader with Cyrus' talents.
(c) Because Artaxerxes' son, Darius, convinced him he would share power with him.
(d) Because Cyrus knew he would have his mother's support.

8. 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 a distant nephew whose family conspired to come into the line of the throne.
(c) He was the grandson to Artaxerxes through his mother, Parysatis.
(d) He was a general who just happened to have the same name.

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

10. How did Plutarch claim Artaxerxes avoided a war with the Spartans?
(a) He bribed the Greeks to declare war with the Spartans.
(b) He navigated his troops around the Spartans until they became exhausted and depleted.
(c) He joined with Alexander who then routed the Spartans.
(d) He offered the Spartans half his kingdom.

11. What does Plutarch claim that Brutus' decision to betray Caesar prove?
(a) That he was ungrateful for the grace that Caesar extended to him after the civil war with Pompey.
(b) That he harbored resentment for his abandoning his mother after their affair.
(c) That he was driven by principle and not emotion.
(d) That he wanted the opportunity to rule Rome.

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

13. What does Plutarch record that Antony did in response to Brutus' and Cassius' assassination of Caesar?
(a) Started an immediate pursuit to execute them for their crimes.
(b) Recommend them as governors for Roman provinces.
(c) Joined their alliance so he could become part of the Roman power structure.
(d) Used the vacancy created by Caesar's death to attempt to fill a power vacuum.

14. How did Plutarch characterize the differences in the changes in government "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans" sought to achieve?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" sought to restore Rome to its ancient Republic, whereas "The Spartans" sought internal improvements.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" aimed at settling cities, mending highways, and recovering public lands whereas "The Spartans" sought to restore their city to its ancient state.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" sought to place all power in a king, but "The Spartans" sought democracy.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" worked to restore the principles of the Republic, whereas "The Spartans" attempted to rid Sparta of its Greek democratic influence.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Plutarch claim Demetrius fell into disfavor with the Athenians?

2. Who does Plutarch claim to be the three Macedonian Kings under whom Demosthenes lived?

3. What does Plutarch consider to be the difference in the military achievements between Dion and Brutus?

4. What did Plutarch claim that Caius had to overcome before he was elected to tribune?

5. What role did Antony eventually take in Rome, according to Plutarch, after Caesar's assassination?

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