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

2. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?
(a) As a warning to future generations of the tenuous nature of freedom.
(b) As a letter to two political thinkers from Florence.
(c) With advice to two friends on how to keep their friends close and their enemies closer.
(d) As a cynical commentary to the weakness of leaders of his time.

3. According to Machiavelli, how did the Nobles of Rome attempt to correct the limit on the wealth that was placed on them by Agrarian Laws?
(a) They reduced taxes on themselves and used their increased wealth to buy back their land.
(b) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.
(c) They raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(d) The Nobles took political control over the Senate and changed the laws to allow Nobles to control all the land of the Empire.

4. What are two reasons Machiavelli gives for foreign forces building a city?
(a) To exercise power over enemies and expand the power of an established system.
(b) To relieve existing towns of excessive inhabitants and for the defense of the country from which the forces come.
(c) To offer people in other lands the benefits of the existing system and to make their abilities and resources for universally beneficial.
(d) To spread the culture of the homeland and use resources for financial development.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?

5. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?

(see the answer key)

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