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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Internal Security, Equanimity, Insurrection, Confidence, Electioneering, and the Tendering of Advice, Advice to Generals in the Field.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What type of person does Machiavelli advise against promoting to important positions in a Republic?
(a) Anyone who has been done a notable injury by someone.
(b) Anyone who has killed a rival.
(c) Anyone who has avoided war.
(d) Anyone who is ambitious.

2. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?
(a) Only if the city does not fall into war with a more virtuous city.
(b) Only if administrators conspire to act with the virtue of the excellent Prince.
(c) Only if the citizens ignore the weak Prince and organize themselves to retain virtue.
(d) Only if a Prince with the virtue of the excellent Prince follows the weak Prince.

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

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

5. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?
(a) How to secure power by expanding it.
(b) How to use truth to persuade Citizens to support the power of the Prince.
(c) What Roman people did to aggrandize the Empire.
(d) How to secure freedom for an Empire by keeping the military active.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli suggest is the advantage of settling in areas that were "sterile" (barren)?

2. What does Machiavelli consider to be the means of someone rising from the bottom to gain a great fortune?

3. According to Machiavelli, what prevented the ambitions of the Nobles from corrupting Rome?

4. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's view of freedom based upon reading view of weak and strong Princes?

5. What does Machiavelli consider to be necessary when restoring a Republic from a Tyranny?

(see the answer key)

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