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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. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.
(a) Through Princes or through Republics.
(b) At one time by one man and by chance at several times according to events.
(c) Through dominion of the wealthy or through bartering agreements.
(d) By war and by peace.

2. What did Machiavelli establish as the cycle of governing forms?
(a) Aristocracy to republic to oligarchy to monarchy to aristocracy.
(b) Anarchy to democracy to oligarchy to monarchy to anarchy.
(c) Democracy to republic go aristocracy to oligarchy to anarchy to democracy.
(d) Monarchy (principality) to aristocracy to oligarchy to democracy to monarchy.

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

4. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?
(a) The general population became dissatisfied with the distribution of wealth.
(b) They degenerated from their fathers, and surpassed others in sumptuousness and lasciviousness and in every other kind of delight.
(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.

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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?

2. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

3. What, according to Machiavelli in Book , 1 Section 38, is the fate of irresolute Republics?

4. What is another method that Machiavelli reports leaders use to offend their citizens?

5. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?

(see the answer key)

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