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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In what sort of family does Plutarch claim Eumenes was raised?

2. What Roman political leader does Plutarch claim was a friend to Cato's family?

3. What does Plutarch claim Aristotle provided that he considered, "...a perfect portable treasure of all military virtue and knowledge...."?

4. What was the most notable sign that Plutarch suggests that proves Caesar had begun to win popular support to challenge Sylla?

5. Why does Plutarch use the name, "Cato the Younger"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Plutarch explain Lysander's misinterpretation of the prophesy regarding the successor to Agis?

2. What skill did Plutarch claim Caesar used to start building political influence in the Senate?

3. What does Plutarch identify as the cause of Alexander turning against his father, Philip?

4. How does Plutarch describe Alexander impressing his father by taming a horse?

5. Why did Ptolemy's son, according to Plutarch, place Cleomenes under house arrest while he was in exile in Egypt?

6. Why did Plutarch consider Agesilaus a better general than Pompey?

7. How long does Plutarch claim that Cato the Younger possessed an inflexible temperament?

8. What did Plutarch determine to be the difference in how Agesilaus and Pompey came to power?

9. What was the primary objective of Agis as King of the Spartans according to Plutarch?

10. How did Plutarch report the death of Cato?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Dion was a Greek who studied Plato's philosophy against tyranny. Even though he earned the favor of tyrannical King Dionysius I, he fell out of favor with the supporters of his son, Donysius II. Explain what philosophies that Dion was sharing with Dionysius II and why his supporters would want to end Dion's influence.

Essay Topic 2

Phocion was a stern and respected general, but preferred peace to war even if his stand caused harsh political consequences. Detail two cases in which Phocion opposed popular causes to go to war in the Athenian Assembly. Identify the enemy and their leader, the reasons the Athenian Assembly wanted to make war, reasons Phocion warned against the war and his alternative recommendation, what the Assembly decided and the outcome for Athens.

Essay Topic 3

Plutarch was born a Greek, and as an adult became a Roman Citizen. He wrote during the First Century, A.D., while the Roman Empire was still in its ascendancy. Give details of how Plutarch's background and citizenship influenced his choice of historical figures for which to write biographies, the events he chose to cover, and how he characterized the cities and citizens that were affected by these figures.

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