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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. What question does Cicero ask Gordianus upon first meeting him?
(a) If Gordianus has enemies.
(b) If Gordianus has ever considered killing his father.
(c) If Gordianus was born in Rome.
(d) If Gordianus is married.

2. What does Gordianus learn from his first meeting with Sextus Roscius (filius)?
(a) The exact location of the murder.
(b) The name of the person Roscius thinks did it.
(c) That he has a secret lover.
(d) That Roscius (pater) was going to die anyway.

3. In what way did Roscius (pater) breech strict societal codes?
(a) He drank in excess.
(b) He socialized with both noble and menial classes.
(c) He fell in love with a prostitute.
(d) He favored one son over another.

4. Why could Roscius (pater) associate with those higher in status than himself?
(a) He lied about his class.
(b) His wife was from a noble family.
(c) He had sons.
(d) He was wealthy.

5. How does Gordianus react to the events in Chapter 2?
(a) He tells Tiro to run home and get his master.
(b) He does not want to get involved.
(c) He pulls his sword on the gladiators.
(d) He hides behind a wall.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Gordianus encounter Marcus Licinius Crassus?

2. Who claims to have seen the murder?

3. How did Gaius die?

4. In Chapter 2, what ends up lying at Gordianus's feet?

5. Marucs Tullius Tiro is___________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe your first impression of Gordianus.

2. Why would the shopkeeper and his wife lie about witnessing the attack of Roscius?

3. Cicero and Sextus Roscius (pater) lived very different lifestyles. Compare and contrast their lifestyles.

4. What is the purpose of the author's inclusion of the scene where Gordianus and Tiro see a gladiator stabbed while they are walking to Cicero's house?

5. Why does Gordianus loan Bethesda to the household of the stable master?

6. In Chapter 5, Cicero says to Tiro, "A fit subject for debate: Is it possible that a slave can be too loyal to his master? That is to say, too enthusiastic in his devotion, too ready to spring to his master's defense." What is your answer to that question?

7. Why does Cicero send Tiro instead of a lesser slave to the home of Gordianus?

8. Electra tells Gordianus and Tiro that some men bought Elena. What else does she reveal?

9. Why does Bethesda bite Gordianus when he comes into her room?

10. Do you think Gauis's death was accidental or a murder? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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