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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, The Army, Its Discipline and Component Parts, The Administration of Conquered Territory and Other Problems Which Admit of No Middle Course, Mistakes Often Made in Connection With War, Rome's Dealings With Neighboring.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) Agrarian laws allowed land owners to use their land to help the poor become wealthy.
(b) Agrarian laws allowed the government to decide what was to be grown on land in spite of the expertise of the land owner.
(c) Agrarian laws allowed Nobles to take land from Plebes with the intent to increase the land's productivity.
(d) Agrarian laws distributed land from those who had more than the law allowed among plebes rather than among Nobles with which they could enrich themselves.

2. According to Machiavelli, what type of people seek what office to cause a city to become corrupt?
(a) The rich and powerful, rather than the virtuous, seek to become judges (magistrates).
(b) The working poor seek to become plebes.
(c) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.
(d) Generals seek to become senators.

3. What does Machiavelli identify as the cause of using dishonorable words against an enemy?
(a) Poor military tactics of the enemy.
(b) Corruption that leads to an enemy's defeat.
(c) False hopes brought by victory.
(d) Poor discipline in the army.

4. What does Machiavelli consider one of the most important reasons the Roman Empire was successful in expanding its borders?
(a) It had laws that kept the Plebes in their place.
(b) The Senate gave great authority to military leaders over Cities that Rome was attacking.
(c) It showed skill in placing Nobles in control over colonies.
(d) It kept Citizens in poverty.

5. What did Machiavelli cite as the method that Rome used to maintain its freedom?
(a) It continued to make new laws and new institutions to confront corruption.
(b) It made frequent use of elections to allow the citizens to influence government.
(c) It continually sent soldiers to expand its empire.
(d) It made public displays of punishments for lawbreakers.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli consider to be a great sign of weakness in Republic?

2. How does Machiavelli predict a citizen will conduct himself if he is not punished for his misdeeds because of his reputation for doing good deeds, according to Machiavelli.

3. What are the two important items that Machiavelli considers to be unwise for a Prince to put entirely into peril?

4. In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli credits the ruin of Republics on citizens who jump from one ambition to another. What was the phrase that Sallust put in the mouth of Caesar that explains how such ambitions begin?

5. Why does Machiavelli suggest that a Prince keep his conquered territories disunited from the City over which he has his power?

(see the answer key)

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