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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. What does Machiavelli see as the problem with barons?

2. What is the advantage of the sole prince as ruler?

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

4. Cesare Borgia was helped in his drive for power by his father. Who was he?

5. What does say the sole prince can do that the prince with barons cannot?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how Machiavelli says Cesare Borgia came to power.

2. To what does Machiavelli ascribe his present circumstances as he writes the book?

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

4. Describe the conditions that made it possible for Moses, Romulus, Cyrus, and Theseus to be successful in uniting their people.

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

6. How did Cesare Borgia hold onto power in Romagna?

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

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

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

10. How does Machiavelli explain a man of his common social standing being qualified to advise a prince?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay on the subject of politicians trying to please everyone to stay in power.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay explaining how Machiavelli's writing might be different if he were writing today.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay answering and discussing the question, Is honesty always the best policy?

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