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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. Why did Tacitus feel the need to apologize for his life?
(a) He failed to be as great as Agricola.
(b) He lacked in military success.
(c) He failed to prevent Agricola's poisoning.
(d) He was a Senator during tyranny.

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

3. Tacitus credited whom for Roman successes?
(a) The enemies for their own faults.
(b) The Roman people.
(c) The governors of the provinces.
(d) The great line of emperors.

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

5. Of the following, which power did the Roman emperor NOT possess?
(a) Military command.
(b) Initiate legislation.
(c) Ability to recall elections.
(d) Power of censorship.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Mattingly, what was most important to Tacitus in his life?

2. Of the following, what was most upsetting for Tacitus in regards to Agricola's death?

3. What lesson from others' experience did Agricola consider when he was victorious in battles?

4. What was Agricola's motivation to conquer Britain?

5. What did Tacitus deny existed in Germany?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how Tacitus wrote about Agricola's role as a military apprentice under Suetonius Paulinus.

2. How did Tacitus describe Britain when Agricola was first stationed there?

3. What did Tacitus intend to write in his old age, but why was it never written?

4. Tacitus felt what factors caused turmoil in the Roman Republic?

5. What evidence does Mattingly suggest shows Agricola likely took a route to cross the river Annan?

6. How did Tacitus feel about the prime of his life in the Empire?

7. What about Agricola 's military strategy and career was criticized by Tacitus?

8. Tacitus described marriage in German cultures. According to his description, what were common gifts between a man and woman that were to be married? What did the gifts symbolized?

9. What are some of Mattingly's criticisms of Tacitus' works as a historian?

10. Who were Titus and Domitian and what was their relationship to the Roman Empire?

(see the answer keys)

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