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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Aside from humble beginnings, what does Machiavelli say that Agathocles and Oliverotto have in common?
(a) They refused to resort to political assassination.
(b) They got their positions from other princes.
(c) They were both Italians.
(d) They knew what they wanted and made a plan to get it.

2. How does Machiavelli think New Dominions were formed?
(a) Through Fortune or Ability.
(b) Through War and Pestilence.
(c) Through democratic elections.
(d) Through Ability or Accident.

3. 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) Nabis, Prince of Sparta.
(c) Gracci of Rome.
(d) Giorgio Scalli of Florence.

4. What is the irony of the death of Oliverotto of Fermo who came to power by assembling all the leaders for a dinner and then killing them all?
(a) He died of natural causes before he could become Prince of Fermo.
(b) Cesare Borgia did the same thing to him.
(c) He was accidentally killed by a poorly aimed arrow.
(d) A son of one of the murdered men put poison in his wine.

5. What does Machiavelli suggest makes for peace in a dominion?
(a) A Prince who knows how to hide his bad habits.
(b) A brilliant and vocal Prince.
(c) A Prince who knows how to keep the people in line by force.
(d) Each day being the same as the day before.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli say that new territories are harder to govern than hereditary ones?

2. What does Machiavelli say was the reason for successes by Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus?

3. What, according to Machiavelli, will always make a prince's position insecure?

4. After gaining dominions by merit, how does Machiavelli say a prince can hold his new territories?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How are Ecclesiastical dominions so easily maintained?

2. Briefly write down how Machiavelli describes Agathocles of Sicily.

3. Explain why Machiavelli does not speak about Republics in THE PRINCE.

4. What are the difficulties new princes face when setting up a new government?

5. What are the two types of princedoms as identified by Machiavelli?

6. What makes the instability of the Orsini and Cologna a constant struggle.

7. Tell how Machiavelli suggests it is easiest to control a conquered state.

8. Explain why Machiavelli believes a newly conquered territory is harder to govern than a hereditary dominion.

9. Explain the customary way to seek the favor and audience of a prince.

10. What advantage does the hereditary prince have in maintaining his dominion?

(see the answer keys)

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