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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who does Machiavelli single out as a prince who was always prepared for war?
(a) Philopoemonm, Prince of the Achaians
(b) Xenophon
(c) The sons of Sforza, Duke of Milan
(d) Ramses II

2. What must a prince always do concerning advice?
(a) He must wait for his ministers to offer their advice.
(b) He must listen to everyone all the time.
(c) He must never accept anyone's advice except his own.
(d) He must discourage advice that he has not asked for.

3. How does Machiavelli classify auxiliary troops?
(a) As the best possible choice for a prince to make.
(b) As the worst possible choice for a prince to make.
(c) As extremely reliable during a crisis.
(d) As cheaper than hiring independent mercenaries.

4. Machiavelli's political thought is influenced greatly by the ideas of what?
(a) The writings of Aristotle.
(b) The strength of the Medici.
(c) The Bible.
(d) The Italian Rennaissance.

5. Why does Machiavelli argue against a prince being overly generous?
(a) His generosity includes being able to pay his military high wages.
(b) By being generous, he avoids beeing seen as a miser.
(c) To support his generosity, the prince must tax his subjects heavily.
(d) By being generous the people love him excessively.

6. Why does Machiavelli say that the sultans of Turkey and Egypt had to listen more to the military than to the people?
(a) All the men were drafted into the military.
(b) The best people were in their militaries.
(c) Their countries were controlled by the military.
(d) The people did not understand the threats of invasion.

7. Why does Machiavelli say that auxiliary forces are more dangerous than mercenaries?
(a) Mercenaries can all speak the language of the princedom.
(b) Auxilaries need less time and opportunity to move against the ruler that employed them.
(c) Auxiliary forces are not considered deserters if they run from war.
(d) Auxiliary forces may be recalled if their home dominion is attacked.

8. How can honesty in other people cause the prince to lose respect?
(a) When the honesty is really only half truths.
(b) When people are not afraid of offending the prince by what they say.
(c) When their honesty is not recognized for what it is.
(d) When the prince never believes anything he hears.

9. What causes the people to begin to support the new prince?
(a) Seeing they are well off.
(b) Having audiences with the prince.
(c) Getting surprise gifts from the prince.
(d) Seeing many changes in their daily lives.

10. What is Machiavelli's advice about people who do things that ultimately enrich the princedom?
(a) Their property should be confiscated.
(b) They should be amply rewarded.
(c) They should be taxed heavier than others.
(d) They should be viewed with suspicion.

11. What in Machiavelli's opinion is the problem with a prince being too liberal with his subjects?
(a) Eventually his liberality will lead to burdensome taxation.
(b) He will not have time to enjoy his own life.
(c) People will not take him seriously when he has a problem.
(d) Everyone will always fear him because he might take away his liberality.

12. Who can successfully gain the reputation for generosity but not ruin himself in the process?
(a) A prince who gives away someone else's money.
(b) A prince who has unlimited resources.
(c) A prince who only gives when he can expect a generous return.
(d) A prince who goes to war to create jobs for his subjects.

13. How does Machiavelli say a private citizen might make himself a prince?
(a) By hiring his own mercenaries.
(b) By becoming a puppet of an enemy military.
(c) By becoming proficient in war and rising in rank.
(d) By avoiding war and promoting peace.

14. What did Heiro of Syracuse do when he realized his mercenary troops were worthless?
(a) He had them cut to pieces.
(b) He hired more mercenaries.
(c) He refused to pay them.
(d) He put them on the front lines to be killed.

15. What dichotomy does Machiavelli present regarding goodness and vices in a prince?
(a) People see goodness as weakness and vices as strengths.
(b) His goodness may lead to his downfall whereas his vices may sometimes keep him safe.
(c) Goodness will preserve his princedom while vices will bring his downfall.
(d) Vices can be balanced out by the amount of fear they generate.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Machiavelli define auxiliary forces?

2. What Biblical example does Machiavelli use to show that someone else's arms are useless?

3. What does Machiavelli warn the prince against?

4. What does Machiavelli mean when he says "impetuousness is better than calculation"?

5. What metaphor does Machiavelli use to explain his ideas about Fortune?

(see the answer keys)

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