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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?
(a) Treating conquered citizens harshly.
(b) When the conquerors remove freedoms that the citizens knew before being conquered.
(c) Taking the property of conquered citizens.
(d) Taking conquered citizens into slavery.

3. Based upon Machiavelli's details, for whose benefit were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes devoted?
(a) Magistrates who used public works as a means of keeping political support from the general masses.
(b) The benefit of Nobles and people in power.
(c) The benefit of the Kings who needed occupiers throughout the Empire.
(d) The Plebes who had very busy working lives.

4. What does Machiavelli examine in Chapter 1 of Book 2?
(a) How to develop fortune and virtue.
(b) Why fortune is more important that virtue.
(c) How virtue can destroy fortune.
(d) Whether the Roman Empire was built upon fortune or virtue.

5. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?
(a) A series of Caesars who named friends to be Captains.
(b) A recent denial of appeal by Girolamo Savonarola to five citizens sentenced to death after Savonarola wrote the law allowing appeals.
(c) The lawlessness that overtook Carthage as its Princes suspended harsh sentences for crimes against the State.
(d) Tribunes who called the army from foreign provinces and decommissioned its Captains.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does "Crescit interea Roma Albae ruinis" mean?

2. 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?

3. Why does Machiavelli recommend that those who want to reform a city should retain the appearance of the institutions they want to reform?

4. Why does Machiavelli suggest wars should be quick with limited damage to the conquered City?

5. According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money?

(see the answer key)

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