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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. Who does Robert go to see with his troops?

2. Who does Anna say Botaniates wished to concede the throne to?

3. What court does Alexius appear before?

4. Who is considered to take over the throne before Alexius according to Anna?

5. What plan does some of Alexius' counsel try to dissuade him of?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is celebrated at the end of Book VI?

2. What happened when people heard that Alexius survived the battle?

3. At the end of Book VII, what plot does Alexius hear of?

4. What problems arise with the Ducas family at the beginning of Book III?

5. What is the dissension over Pope Gregory VII, as noted at the end of Book I and why is it significant?

6. Who was Tzachas, as introduced in Book VII?

7. What happens between the Scythians and Alexius at the beginning of Book VII?

8. In Book V, what ancient law did Alexius examine and who acted in opposition?

9. What happened to Paleaologus during one of the battles described in Book IV?

10. What is the significance of the adoption discussed in Book II?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bohemund was one of Alexius' opponents during the war as described in "The Alexiad". Compare Alexius' strategies with that of Bohemund, using the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

"The Alexiad" includes several conspiracies which focus on destabilizing Alexius and the throne. In an essay, compare two or three of the conspiracies discussed in "The Alexiad", including how they were planned and the tactics that would have been employed had they not been uncovered. Use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

In an essay, discuss and define the importance of succession, including the succession in a lineage when pursuing the throne. Use the book and secondary sources as needed to support your discussion.

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