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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What is the first difference that Plutarch found between Demetrius and Antony?
(a) Demetrius' father proved his power as a great battle general, but Antony's father was not a warrior.
(b) Demetrius was born into a humble family, but Antony was born into wealth.
(c) Demetrius was a willing mercenary, but Antony fought only for the glory of Rome.
(d) Demetrius lived a restrained life, but Antony was a victim of his vices.

4. For what did Plutarch claim that Artaxerxes I of Persia was known?
(a) For being a brutal tyrant.
(b) For being generous and patient.
(c) For overcoming Babylon at the height of its empire.
(d) For a gentle and noble spirit and his right hand being longer than his left hand.

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

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

7. 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" aspired to despotic power, but "The Spartans had a desire for glory and honors.
(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" had a desire to strengthen the systems of the Senate, but "The Spartans" sought to place all power in a single king.

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

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

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

11. 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) Cicero's sarcastic rhetorical style alienated more senators than it won over.
(c) Scipio could not overcome the political influence of senators who had sold their votes to wealthy landowners.
(d) Caius Laelius folded under political pressure from men of authority.

12. How does Plutarch report that Demosthenes and Cicero showed the differences in their personalities through their speeches?
(a) Demosthenes was trivial and lighthearted, but Cicero was somber and deliberate.
(b) Demosthenes loved to just and make fun of his opponents, but Cicero was serious and eloquent.
(c) Demosthenes was serious and eloquent, but Cicero loved to jest and make fun of his opponents.
(d) Demosthenes was somber and deliberte, but Cicero was trivial and lighthearted.

13. How did Plutarch explain the tyrrant, Nicocles, rose to power?
(a) He took power from the other two members of a triumvirate.
(b) He inherited the position from his father.
(c) He assassinated Paseas.
(d) He invaded Sicyon and destroyed the leaders there.

14. Why did Plutarch claim that Tiberius was beaten to death on the Senate Floor?
(a) Because homeless soldiers got tired of waiting for his success and stormed the senate floor and cornered Tiberius.
(b) Because the senate was convinced that he was involved in the conspiracy against Caesar by Antony.
(c) Because landowners became frustrated by his persistence and decided to end it in the senate.
(d) Because Octavius made a speech that associated Tiberius' actions with those who had ambitions to become king.

15. 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) Octavius Caesar, who was son of Caesar.
(c) Marcus Octavius, who was considered to be a friend of Tiberius.
(d) Caius Mancinus, who was a consul of bad reputation.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Who led a conspiracy to overthrow the Roman Government that Plutarch reports Cicero exposed in the Senate?

3. How did Plutarch explain the difference between Tiberius and Caius when they delivered speeches?

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

5. According to Plutarch, what was the difference in political support between "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?

(see the answer keys)

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