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 does Machiavelli predict will come to Republics that do not provide for dictatorships or powerful authorities in times of urgent perils?
(a) A Republican government will always move in the benefit of everyone dependent on them.
(b) They will always be ruined in grave incidents.
(c) The gathering of officials will paralyze the Republic in debate.
(d) The trust leaders show in the people will inspire them to overcome the peril.

2. 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.

3. What is Machiavelli's explanation for initiating his recommended approach with enemies against an empire?
(a) Because the public humiliation of the enemy will expose supporters to the Citizens who will then act to neutralize the conspiracy.
(b) Because taking out the head of a movement will lead to the death of the body.
(c) Because putting the leaders of enemies in positions of public responsibility will require them to make decisions that will be rejected by conspiracies.
(d) Because those who try to crush it, make its force greater, and make that evil which is suspected from it to be accelerated.

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

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