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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. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?
(a) Tribunes who called the army from foreign provinces and decommissioned its Captains.
(b) A recent denial of appeal by Girolamo Savonarola to five citizens sentenced to death after Savonarola wrote the law allowing appeals.
(c) The lawlessness that overtook Carthage as its Princes suspended harsh sentences for crimes against the State.
(d) A series of Caesars who named friends to be Captains.

2. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's idea of virtue from reading the review of the first three kings of Rome as he begins his discourse of weak Princes and excellent Princes?
(a) That he considers bureaucratic expertise to be an important virtue for Princes.
(b) That he considers the most weak Princes to practice ambivalence to virtue.
(c) The he considers moral integrity to be the primary virtue for Princes.
(d) That he believes being ferocious and warlike is an indispensible virtue for a Prince.

3. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?
(a) If the Nobles of Rome had not sought to possess distant provinces, there would have been no need for Caesars.
(b) The cost of Empire caused hazards to gather domestically as well as throughout the Empire.
(c) Without the empire is it possible that the hazards the empire faced would not have materialized.
(d) Without the Caesars, provinces of the Empire would have moved to avoid hazards.

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

5. Why does Machiavelli suggest that those who have received great rewards should not be spared punishments for acting badly?
(a) Because doing so helps the Republic remain free for a long time.
(b) Because doing so keeps the most famous citizens obedient to the Prince.
(c) Because doing so gives the Prince the opportunity to prove his harshness.
(d) Because doing so helps to find the most ardent supporters of the Prince.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?

2. What should the reader consider as evil when Machiavelli is advising Princes to "recognize evils".

3. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?

4. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?

5. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?

(see the answer key)

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