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 Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) Agrarian laws distributed land from those who had more than the law allowed among plebes rather than among Nobles with which they could enrich themselves.
(b) Agrarian laws allowed land owners to use their land to help the poor become wealthy.
(c) Agrarian laws allowed Nobles to take land from Plebes with the intent to increase the land's productivity.
(d) Agrarian laws allowed the government to decide what was to be grown on land in spite of the expertise of the land owner.

2. What does Machiavelli identify as an important action for Nobles to take to control the ambitions of Citizens seeking position?
(a) Find ways to bring the ambitious Citizens into Noble circles to keep them under watch and compromise their influence.
(b) Forestall their paths to attain the rank they seek.
(c) Find ways to have them sent to war.
(d) Have them kidnapped and killed.

3. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?
(a) "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword."
(b) "The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."
(c) "...(W)ith as much grace and as honorably as he can, attiring himself with the insignia of his rank which he holds in order to make himself more revered."
(d) "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

4. What does Machiavelli believe will come of agreements made by force?
(a) They will not last.
(b) They aid to enhance the power of the Prince.
(c) They will lead to the overthrow of he who has the power to enforce them.
(d) The will lead to the capture of those who are under the power.

5. According to Machiavelli, what type of people seek what office to cause a city to become corrupt?
(a) The working poor seek to become plebes.
(b) The rich and powerful, rather than the virtuous, seek to become judges (magistrates).
(c) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.
(d) Generals seek to become senators.