View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Machiavelli say Agathocles became Prince of Syracuse?
(a) Assembling the Senate to confer and then having them all killed.
(b) Getting the poor people to support him against the aristocracy.
(c) Defeating the Carthiginians.
(d) Beheading anyone who opposed him.

2. What is Machiavelli removing from the political thinking during a time when the Roman Catholic Church was still appointing Emperors?
(a) He is removing God from politics and the power equation.
(b) He is removing political involvement of the church.
(c) He is removing objections to the combination of church and state.
(d) He is removing constitutional authority.

3. What type of principality does Machiavelli claim may be kept without talent or fortune?
(a) Ecclesiastical.
(b) Absolute monarchy.
(c) Hereditary.
(d) Monastic.

4. Why is setting up a system of government using conquered citizens effective?
(a) They see that everything will be exactly like their old government.
(b) They see they cannot survive without the protection and support of the conquering prince.
(c) They do not have to pay tribute to the new prince.
(d) They do not have to make friends of the new prince.

5. How does Machiavelli say that those who help a prince obtain a new princedom may turn against him?
(a) By going elsewhere to fight new battles.
(b) By deciding that they do not need the prince.
(c) By not receiving what was promised to them.
(d) By becoming jealous of his new power.

6. What does Machiavelli say was the real cause of Cesare Borgia's ultimate failure?
(a) His lack of knowledge of what to do after his father's death.
(b) His ill health after the death of his father.
(c) His bad choices of political allies.
(d) His opposition from the new Pope after the death of Alexander IV.

7. What is the custom of Machiavelli's day in approaching a prince?
(a) Bringing a gift.
(b) Coming in on hands and knees.
(c) Catching the prince outside his palace.
(d) Writing a petition of audience.

8. What does Machiavelli suggest may make a hereditary ruler unpopular with his people?
(a) Using his army to gain more territory.
(b) Never changing the way they are accustomed to being ruled.
(c) Outrageous vices.
(d) Staying away from the princedom for long periods of time.

9. What is Machiavelli offering the Prince Lorenzo de Medici?
(a) Means of mastering in a short time all Machiavelli has learned about governing.
(b) A large book of rules for new princes to use in governing the people.
(c) Personal introductions to great men Machiavelli knows.
(d) The chance to become king of all Italy.

10. After gaining dominions by merit, how does Machiavelli say a prince can hold his new territories?
(a) It is impossible.
(b) Easily.
(c) With great difficulty.
(d) Rarely.

11. What example does Machiavelli give of a prince who had the support of his people and was able to withstand invasion?
(a) Cesar Borgia of Romagna.
(b) Gracci of Rome.
(c) Giorgio Scalli of Florence.
(d) Nabis, Prince of Sparta.

12. What does Machiavelli see as an inevitable result of changes in government?
(a) Pleasure of the subjects who like to see a lot of changes.
(b) Growth of the dominion by annexation.
(c) Better conditions for the subjects of a dominion.
(d) A dovetailing of more and more change.

13. Who does Machiavelli say should always be in charge of the troops in a princedom?
(a) A relative of the prince.
(b) A well paid mercenary captain.
(c) The prince himself.
(d) A trusted civilian commander.

14. Ending his discussion of Ecclesiastical Dominions, why is Machiavelli so circumspect about the current Pope?
(a) Pope Leo fears Niccolo Machiavelli.
(b) Pope Leo might give Machiavelli a job.
(c) Pope Leo is the uncle of Lorenzo de Medici.
(d) Pope Leo does not support the Medici.

15. What does Machiavelli cite as the measure of strength of a principality?
(a) The popularity of the prince.
(b) The ability to field a strong army.
(c) The total land area of the principality.
(d) Enough money to pay bribes.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can deprive a prince of his princedom?

2. What does Machiavelli see as the problem with barons?

3. Before Pope Alexander VI, what prevented the Church from gaining even more power?

4. Why does Machiavelli say a hereditary prince is usually more loved by his subjects?

5. What is it that Machiavelli refrains from doing in his book?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 839 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample