View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Plutarch claim to be the main issue facing Tiberius after he was elected tribune of the people?
(a) Land reform to restore property taken by the wealthy class while common landowners were fighting wars.
(b) Reforming the laws to even justice between the wealthy and the poor.
(c) Internal improvements to help Rome transport goods in and out of the cities of the empire.
(d) Raising revenues through taxes to support Rome's many wars and Empire.

2. What did Plutarch claim to be the differences in motivation between Demosthenes and Cicero?
(a) Demosthenes sought glory and honor, but Cicero was motivated by personal gain.
(b) Demosthenes was humble and generous, but Cicero was impulsive and greedy.
(c) Demosthenes was motivated by inspiring Greeks to their past glory, but Cicero was driven by the desire for glory.
(d) Demosthenes was motivated by personal gain, but Cicero refused to take any gifts.

3. How did Ochus come to succeed Artaxerxes, according to Plutarch?
(a) He murdered his brother Arsames and drove his other brother Ariaspes to suicide.
(b) He avoided war, but his brothers died in war.
(c) He was the favorite of his mother.
(d) He bribed his father.

4. How does Plutarch claim Demetrius fell into disfavor with the Athenians?
(a) By selling his sword to the Macedonians.
(b) By demanding and squandering a large sum of money after liberating Athens a second time.
(c) By using his position in the assembly to solicit bribes.
(d) By living in debauchery and drunkedness.

5. 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 Octavius made a speech that associated Tiberius' actions with those who had ambitions to become king.
(d) Because landowners became frustrated by his persistence and decided to end it in the senate.

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

7. Who does Plutarch claim to be the three Macedonian Kings under whom Demosthenes lived?
(a) Amyntas IV, Philip, Alexander.
(b) Antipater, Philip III, Cassander.
(c) Philip, Alexander, and Antipater.
(d) Alexander, Antipater, Philip III.

8. What did Plutarch report as the difference in the affects on the homelands of "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?
(a) The work of "The Roman Brothers" helped to expand the Roman Empire, but "The Spartans" led to an extended captivity to Macedon.
(b) The work of "The Roman Brothers" gave no addition to Rome's former greatness, but "The Spartans" helped Sparta exert power over all of Peloponnesus and restored the orderly rule of the sons of Hercules.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" stabilized the government prior to its greatest empirical march, but "The Spartans" left the government stagnated and ineffectual.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" were responsible for the split of the Roman Empire, but "The Spartans" extended Sparta into India.

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

10. What tyrannical Syracusan King does Plutarch report Dion served as he became wealthy?
(a) Nicocles.
(b) Dionysius II.
(c) Sylla.
(d) Dionysius I.

11. 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) Joined their alliance so he could become part of the Roman power structure.
(c) Recommend them as governors for Roman provinces.
(d) Used the vacancy created by Caesar's death to attempt to fill a power vacuum.

12. 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 place all power in a king, but "The Spartans" sought democracy.
(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" worked to restore the principles of the Republic, whereas "The Spartans" attempted to rid Sparta of its Greek democratic influence.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" sought to restore Rome to its ancient Republic, whereas "The Spartans" sought internal improvements.

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

14. 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 cultivated a burning hatred of tyranny.
(d) He became vengeful and rebellious.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the four being compared does Plutarch accuse of committing the crime of deposing a fellow elected official?

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

3. What is the first difference that Plutarch found between Demetrius and Antony?

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

5. Who was the Macedonian King from which Plutarch reported Demetrius and his father, Antigonus, freed Athens?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,224 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample