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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Despite a quiet retirement, why did many ask Agricola to return to duty?
(a) Tacitus actively promoted the idea to everyone.
(b) The other generals were failures.
(c) He was the only one who kept Domitian in line.
(d) He was charming and convincing with the enemy.

2. How did Agricola's successes become so famous?
(a) Trajan wrote a famous eulogy.
(b) Via Domitian's excessive praise.
(c) Through Tacitus' writings.
(d) The number of archaelogical evidence of his forts.

3. What political harmony did Tacitus wish to see in the Roman Republic?
(a) Autocracy and freedom.
(b) The Roman Empire and the German tribes.
(c) The Senate and the Praetorian Guards.
(d) Harmony between the Emperor and Senate.

4. What lesson from others' experience did Agricola consider when he was victorious in battles?
(a) Injustice afterwards did not help the victory.
(b) Instilling fear in the enemy helped retain control.
(c) Be prepared for a possible revenge.
(d) He celebrated lavishly to show his power.

5. Tacitus claimed Domitian was ridiculed by the people for what reason?
(a) A fake triumph in Germany.
(b) A fake triumph in Britain.
(c) His wife commited adultery.
(d) His son was a coward in battle.

6. What did Tacitus credit to changing the Gaul's warlike past?
(a) Peace within Roman life.
(b) Agriculture.
(c) Their inferiority to German warriors.
(d) Tacitus' famous oration on peace.

7. What major characteristic did Tacitus note about the seas around Britain?
(a) They had a large expanse of tidal currents.
(b) They rushed to the ends of the earth.
(c) They were easy to sail and row through.
(d) The width between Britain and Spain was not as far as assumed.

8. Why was so interested in German culture that he wrote about it?
(a) He believed Germans were a constant threat.
(b) He believed Germans would make great slaves.
(c) He believed Germans were desecendants from the same gods.
(d) He believed Germans had much to offer Roman civilization.

9. What was Agricola's reaction to the first attack under his consul?
(a) He went where the action was.
(b) He sent a messenger with a surrender's note.
(c) He decided to wait and see.
(d) He asked the emperor what he should do.

10. According to Mattingly, what was most important to Tacitus in his life?
(a) His family.
(b) The reigning emperor.
(c) His career.
(d) His mother.

11. What did Agricola do in his first year that helped Britain appreciate peace more?
(a) Stopped corrupt officials.
(b) Did not always impose the emperor's laws that were harsh on the people.
(c) Relaxed the presence of the Roman army.
(d) Was lenient in giving citizenships.

12. Where did Agricola primarily spend his time in the military?
(a) Rome.
(b) Britain.
(c) Spain.
(d) Germany.

13. In the Introduction, Mattingly claims the Germans needed what if they were to ever reach maturity?
(a) Roman discipline.
(b) Power over drinking.
(c) A united kingdom.
(d) A fierce ruler.

14. How did the public feel about Agricola's role in Britain?
(a) They felt he was a failure in his campaigns.
(b) They were in favor of his work.
(c) They thought he was too soft with the British.
(d) They believed he was a puppet of Domitian.

15. How did the British help the Romans succeed in conquering more regions?
(a) The British underestimated the Roman leaders and was not prepared for war.
(b) The British tribes fought against one another.
(c) The British allied with the Romans on campaigns into Germany.
(d) The British were fooled to give away their horses to the Romans.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Agricola's father get Gaius the emperor angry at him?

2. Between which years were Agricola's campaigns in Britain?

3. What happened to the emperor of Rome?

4. For what reason would the Romans not bother to conquer a country?

5. Mattingly observes what defect in Tactitus' writings?

(see the answer keys)

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