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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. What are the two important items that Machiavelli considers to be unwise for a Prince to put entirely into peril?
(a) His fortune and forces.
(b) His fortune and his reputation.
(c) His reputation and family.
(d) His city and his chief advisers.

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

3. According to Machiavelli, what is the first thing that Citizens seek when starting on the path of chasing their ambitions?
(a) Means to win access to public office.
(b) The support of a wealthy Noble.
(c) Not to be harmed by citizens or magistrates.
(d) A cause that will incite the passions of the general masses.

4. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?
(a) He advocates smearing them with public proclamations about the threat they pose.
(b) He recommends that efforts be made to temporize (compromise) them rather than crush them.
(c) Princes should name appoint them to offices to leave their actions open to public scrutiny.
(d) He advises Princes to allow his supporters to conspire to assassinate the enemies.

5. Why does Machiavelli claim that the rule of the Caesars was preferable to the regime of the Decemvirs?
(a) Because the Caesars ended Rome's state of continual war.
(b) Because under the Caesar, there remained the Tribunes, Consuls, and the Senate, to whom the Caesar remained responsible.
(c) Because, according to Machiavelli, the Decemvirs did not pursue expansion of the Empire.
(d) Because Machiavelli believed that the Decemvirs were too lax on punishments for violators of the law.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?

2. In Book 1, Section 37, what does Machiavelli claim to be the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

3. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?

4. What was an example from Roman history that Machiavelli used to suggest the Plebes possesses greater wisdom than Nobles?

5. In defending his view that Roman Dictators served their city well, what phrase does Machiavelli use to explain how the Caesars absorbed their power?

(see the answer key)

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