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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 Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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 raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(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) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.
(d) They reduced taxes on themselves and used their increased wealth to buy back their land.

2. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?
(a) To the state of political instability in which was common to Machiavelli's day.
(b) To great works of antique art that have been found and preserved.
(c) To his projections of the future in which Machiavelli speculated on how power would be preserved.
(d) To his ideal state that combined the most successful institutions from those civilizations.

3. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?
(a) Fear of harsh administrators.
(b) Wars that keep the citizenry focused on supporting the City.
(c) Proper administration of rewards and punishments.
(d) The ability to control the perceptions of citizens.

4. 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.

5. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?
(a) Consuming his wealth in debauchery.
(b) Lacking their own soldiers for defense and offense.
(c) Being discovered to be self-absorbed and not devoted to building the strength of their cities.
(d) Missing opportunities to conquer other cities.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?

2. What do fertile areas offer to those who settle there according to Machiavelli?

3. Why does Machiavelli consider the Roman Caesars to have been a benefit to the Roman Empire?

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

5. Why does Machiavelli claim that the rule of the Caesars was preferable to the regime of the Decemvirs?

(see the answer key)

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