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. In defending his view that Roman Dictators served their city well, what phrase does Machiavelli use to explain how the Caesars absorbed their power?
(a) "It is power that easily acquires a name, not a name power."
(b) "Power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard. Be evil."
(c) "He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still."
(d) "Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just."

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

3. How does Machiavelli predict a citizen will conduct himself if he is not punished for his misdeeds because of his reputation for doing good deeds, according to Machiavelli.
(a) He will eventually become overwhelmed by his conscience and slip away into obscurity.
(b) He will, in short time, become so insolent as to put an end to all civil law.
(c) He will become the most effective aide to the Prince and help expand his power over the citizens.
(d) He will find ways to subvert the Prince and take his power.

4. Considering Machiavelli's praise for the example of how Nobles manipulated the opportunity for Plebes to select their peers for positions of influence, who is the clear intended audience of "The Discourses"?
(a) Future candidates for election who need to know how to win.
(b) Those who are concerned with how the Republic is being manipulated by people with power.
(c) Nobles seeking methods to keep their power.
(d) Plebes who need to know the tactics of Nobles to control them.

5. What advice does Machiavelli offer in Book 1, Section 52 to those who want to pursue their ambitions?
(a) "He who is blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher must herafter fall with greatest loss."
(b) "Ambition is the last infirmity of Noble minds."
(c) "...(C)onsider the defects and perils which it [presents], and not to undertake it if it should be more dangerous than useful,...."
(d) "Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make yhou believe that you too can become great."

Short Answer Questions

1. In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli credits the ruin of Republics on citizens who jump from one ambition to another. What was the phrase that Sallust put in the mouth of Caesar that explains how such ambitions begin?

2. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?

3. What did Machiavelli report led gatherings of people to make laws?

4. What is Machiavelli's conclusion regarding how someone can establish a Republic where there is great equality?

5. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?

(see the answer key)

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