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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

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

5. Who did Plutarch identify as the Senator that Brutus opposed, but joined in a civil war against Caesar?
(a) Sertorius.
(b) Pompey.
(c) Crassus.
(d) Cassius.

6. Where does Plutarch claim that Demosthenes was when he committed suicide to avoid capture by the Macedonians?
(a) On his way to the public baths.
(b) A temple in Calauria.
(c) In the Athenian Assembly.
(d) In his home in Athens.

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

8. What is the difference Plutarch cites between the leaders that Dion and Brutus overthrew?
(a) Dion overthrew a popular king, but Brutus overthrew a despised tyrant.
(b) Dion overthrew a king in his own castle, but Brutus overthrew a leader on the floor of the senate.
(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. How was Cyrus' effort to overthrow Artaxerxes ended, according to Plutarch?
(a) Their mother demanded they stop.
(b) He saw his challenge was harmful to Persia and committed suicide.
(c) He died in battle, supposedly by a spear thrown by Artaxerxes.
(d) Cyrus was killed in a conspiracy led by Artaxerxes' son Darius.

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

11. 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" became part of a movement to unite the provinces of Rome, but "The Spartans" were fighting to free Sparta from Macedonian domination.
(b) "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.
(c) "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.
(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.

12. How did Plutarch explain the difference between Tiberius and Caius when they delivered speeches?
(a) Tiberius was confrontational; Caius was diplomatic.
(b) Tiberius was gentle and composed, and Caius was earnest and vehement.
(c) Tiberius was verbose and theatrical; Caius was slow and methodical.
(d) Tiberius was rehearsed and serious; Caius was sarcastic and whimisical.

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

14. How does Plutarch explain the differences in the public acceptance with Demetrius' collection of wives and mistresses and Antony's affair with Cleopatra?
(a) Demetrius married many women to leave many sons, Antony only pursued women to enhance his political status.
(b) The Spartans commonly practiced polygamy whereas monogamy was the standard in Rome.
(c) Demetrius only married Spartan women, but Antony pursued women of many nationalities.
(d) Demetrius pursued both wealthy and common women, but Antony only pursued wealthy women.

15. 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) Plutarch was commissioned by Aratus' decendants to write the history.
(c) Plutarch is a decendant of Aratus.
(d) It was written directly to a descendant of Aratus named Polycrates.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who did Brutus join in the successful assassination attempt against Caesar, according to Plutarch?

2. Which one of the four being compared does Plutarch report had no great action worthy of a commander?

3. For what does Plutarch claim Marcus Brutus is known?

4. What does Plutarch record that Antony did in response to Brutus' and Cassius' assassination of Caesar?

5. Who did Plutarch report to be the first Roman official to try to take up the issue that confronted Tiberius after his election as tribune?

(see the answer keys)

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