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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 a king over a city, but Brutus overthrew the leader of a vast empire.
(d) Dion overthrew an obvious tyrant, but there is no evidence that Caesar was a tyrant.

2. What does Plutarch claim that Brutus' decision to betray Caesar prove?
(a) That he harbored resentment for his abandoning his mother after their affair.
(b) That he was driven by principle and not emotion.
(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.

3. According to Plutarch, who prevented Cyrus from assassinating Artaxerxes at his inaugural ceremonies as king?
(a) Arsicas.
(b) Ariaspes.
(c) Ochus.
(d) Cyrus and Artaxerxes mother.

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

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

6. After Dion drove Donysius II from Syracuse, what does Plutarch claim came of his attempt to form a government?
(a) He was chased from the city by supporters of Dionysius II.
(b) A popular faction opposed his plans.
(c) He proved to be unable to implement his plans.
(d) He could not get leaders of factions to agree.

7. Why did Antigonus' son, Philip, kill Aratus, according to Plutarch?
(a) He had an affair with Aratus' wife while Aratus was fighting for him in battle.
(b) He wanted to rule over Aratus' Greek alliance.
(c) He saw Aratus as a threat to his power.
(d) He became resentful of Aratus.

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

9. What does Plutarch report that Antony did after his first reaction the Assassination of Caesar?
(a) Joined Octavius and Lepidus in a triumvirate.
(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) Began a civil war to punish Brutus and Cassius.

10. What did Plutarch claim that Caius had to overcome before he was elected to tribune?
(a) False charges that he had been defiant to his authorities as a quaestor, that he had excited insurrections among allies, and had been involved in conspiracies.
(b) The unwillingness of the senate to release lands that were under its authority.
(c) The hold that landowners had over the senate.
(d) His fear that the animosity for his brother still existed.

11. 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.

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

13. What did Plutarch report to be the differences between Rome and Sparta at the time "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans" had their influence?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" lived as Rome was transitioning from a Republic to an Empire, but "The Spartans" lived as Sparta was coming to the end of extended captivity to Macedon.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" lived at the time that Rome had risen to its greatest repute, but "The Spartans" lived when Sparta was sinking and debauched.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" became part of a movement to unite the provinces of Rome, but "The Spartans" were fighting to free Sparta from Macedonian domination.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" lived in a time of rebellion against Rome by its extended provinces, but "The Spartans" were part of a time of peace and industry.

14. Which of the four being compared does Plutarch accuse of committing the crime of deposing a fellow elected official?
(a) Tiberius.
(b) Caius.
(c) Cleomenes.
(d) Agis.

15. What did Plutarch identify as the primary difference between "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" improved their virtue through generous education but "The Spartans" kept their virtue in a social environment that had corrupted others.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" were great warriors, but "The Spartans" were thinkers and politicians.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" were wealthy landowners, but "The Spartans" gained their wealth through military exploits.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" tried to revert the Roman culture to its old ways, but "The Spartans" only tried moderate changes in the legal system.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Plutarch explain the tyrrant, Nicocles, rose to power?

2. According to Plutarch, for what was Cicero's rhetoric noted?

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

4. Why does Plutarch claim that Cicero's leading the execution of conspirators to overthrow Rome was controversial?

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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