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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Use and Abuse of Dictatorship, The Road to Ruin, Sundry Reflections Based on the Decemvirate.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?
(a) Farmers and merchants.
(b) Princes and generals.
(c) Craftsmen and politicians.
(d) Men born in their location or foreigners.

2. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?
(a) Picking battles that are important enough to fight and small enough to win.
(b) In times of peace not neglecting the arrangements of war.
(c) Knowing that the enemy of his enemy is his friend.
(d) Keeping friends close and enemies closer.

3. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) Agrarian laws allowed the government to decide what was to be grown on land in spite of the expertise of the land owner.
(b) 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.
(c) Agrarian laws allowed land owners to use their land to help the poor become wealthy.
(d) Agrarian laws allowed Nobles to take land from Plebes with the intent to increase the land's productivity.

4. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example to be provided by leaders in a Republic?
(a) For leaders to avoid harsh punishments for law breakers.
(b) For leaders to neglect the ordering of an army.
(c) For leaders to make a law and refuse to observe it.
(d) For leaders to choose weak captains.

5. What is another method that Machiavelli reports leaders use to offend their citizens?
(a) Persisting in harsh punishments for misdemeanors.
(b) Refusing to provide sufficient education for the youth.
(c) Refusing to provide wealth to the general masses.
(d) Persisting in acts that are considered offensive to citizens.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are reasons Machiavelli cited for a group of people leaving their native country to seek a new home?

2. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.

3. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?

4. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?

5. In defending his view that Roman Dictators served their city well, what phrase does Machiavelli use to explain how the Caesars absorbed their power?

(see the answer key)

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