This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, Sundry Reflections on the Kings of Rome, The Introduction of New Forms of Government, Ingratitude.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?
(a) From research that he did in the many libraries throughout the former Roman Empire.
(b) From his world travels to study governments in other cultures.
(c) From interviews with political thinkers of the day.
(d) From long experience and continuous study of worldly affairs.

2. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The plebeian branch.
(b) The legislative branch.
(c) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(d) The princes.

3. What do fertile areas offer to those who settle there according to Machiavelli?
(a) Raw materials that can be sent to sterile areas for manufacturing and refinement.
(b) The means by which a city can grow and have the ability to defend themselves.
(c) The ability to affect the economy of sterile areas.
(d) Resources that will sustain a growing population.

4. What did Machiavelli suggest is the advantage of settling in areas that were "sterile" (barren)?
(a) Barren areas stand at crossroads between fertile areas so they can control trade between prosperous cities.
(b) Residents of sterile areas become more creative and develop technologies that can be sold to more fertile areas.
(c) The poverty of resources would require those living there to have less cause for discord.
(d) The isolation from more fertile areas allow for greater freedom.

5. What is a Prince as Machiavelli uses the term?
(a) An underling to the ruling authority.
(b) A hereditary noble.
(c) A dispatched bureaucrat that carries out orders over a territory.
(d) A monarch over a sovereign system of government and territory.