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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. How does Cicero's house indicate that he is of a higher class?

2. What is the House of Swans?

3. What clues are provided in Chapter 3 to indicate Cicero's class?

4. In Cicero's opinion, why is the other man prosecuting his client?

5. Who is Sextus Roscius's (pater) oldest and dearest friend?

Short Essay Questions

1. Do you think Elena really was pregnant? Or was she setting Roscius up to be attacked?

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

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

4. 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?

5. How would you describe Caecilia Metella?

6. What elements of Cicero's home seem to contradict one another?

7. If traveling to Ameria alone is so dangerous, why doesn't Gordianus take a companion or a guard?

8. What is the significance of the fact that the men who break into Gordianus's house had come earlier in the day?

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

10. Explain why Caecilia would house Sextus Roscius (filius) in an unsavory part of her house, near the stinking indoor toilets.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If Sextus Roscius really was guilty, what was the point of it all?

Essay Topic 2

Roman Blood has several "family feuds." Analyze the feuds and their place in the plot.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the social class system of Rome specifically as it applies to the main characters in Roman Blood.

(see the answer keys)

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