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 was the inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Discourses"?
(a) Machiavelli's desire to guide politicians to serve the public needs.
(b) Livy's account of the history of Rome written around 25 B.C.
(c) Machiavelli's fascination for power.
(d) Machiavelli's interest in forms of government.

2. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?
(a) An insufficiency of or inability to enforce laws that deal effectively with corruption.
(b) Princes who are preoccupied with seeking pleasure rather than power.
(c) Princes who are not cruel enough with punishment.
(d) Rebellious citizens who defy ruling authorities.

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

4. Why does Machiavelli claim these forms of government developed?
(a) So those with wealth could protect themselves from those who had none.
(b) To provide defense for people who gathered together.
(c) So those with influence could hold it without violence.
(d) To prevent people with the ability to use force from destroying each other.

5. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?
(a) Without the empire is it possible that the hazards the empire faced would not have materialized.
(b) The cost of Empire caused hazards to gather domestically as well as throughout the Empire.
(c) If the Nobles of Rome had not sought to possess distant provinces, there would have been no need for Caesars.
(d) Without the Caesars, provinces of the Empire would have moved to avoid hazards.