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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. Who were the Decemvirs?
(a) Officials who took their power in the last month of the year.
(b) The 12 Nobles who the Caesars appointed to help him manage the Empire.
(c) Ten citizens created by the Roman people to make the laws in Rome.
(d) Courtiers who gathered around the Caesars to protect them during times of festivals.

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) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.
(c) The working poor seek to become plebes.
(d) Generals seek to become senators.

3. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(b) The plebeian branch.
(c) The princes.
(d) The legislative branch.

4. What does Machiavelli recommend that prudent men avoid?
(a) Deceit and war.
(b) Threatening and injuring anyone with words.
(c) Corruption and lies.
(d) Idleness and peace.

5. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli predict will come to Republics that do not provide for dictatorships or powerful authorities in times of urgent perils?

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

3. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?

4. What does "Crescit interea Roma Albae ruinis" mean?

5. What does Machiavelli consider one of the most important reasons the Roman Empire was successful in expanding its borders?

(see the answer key)

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