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 did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?
(a) They degenerated from their fathers, and surpassed others in sumptuousness and lasciviousness and in every other kind of delight.
(b) The general population became dissatisfied with the distribution of wealth.
(c) Less powerful people desired the power of the Prince.
(d) The larger population of citizens became unhappy with the the political preferences of the Princes.

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

3. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?
(a) He recommends that efforts be made to temporize (compromise) them rather than crush them.
(b) He advocates smearing them with public proclamations about the threat they pose.
(c) Princes should name appoint them to offices to leave their actions open to public scrutiny.
(d) He advises Princes to allow his supporters to conspire to assassinate the enemies.

4. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?
(a) Missing opportunities to conquer other cities.
(b) Consuming his wealth in debauchery.
(c) Lacking their own soldiers for defense and offense.
(d) Being discovered to be self-absorbed and not devoted to building the strength of their cities.

5. 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 raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(b) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.
(c) The Nobles took political control over the Senate and changed the laws to allow Nobles to control all the land of the Empire.
(d) They reduced taxes on themselves and used their increased wealth to buy back their land.