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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 is the main point Machiavelli investigates as he prepares to discuss the affects of strong Princes and weak Princes?
(a) How strict power eliminates corruption and maintains freedom.
(b) Whether a free state can exist without laws.
(c) Whether a free state can exist with virtuous Princes.
(d) Whether a free state (government) can exist in a city that is corrupted.

2. 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) A cause that will incite the passions of the general masses.
(c) Not to be harmed by citizens or magistrates.
(d) The support of a wealthy Noble.

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

4. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's idea of virtue from reading the review of the first three kings of Rome as he begins his discourse of weak Princes and excellent Princes?
(a) The he considers moral integrity to be the primary virtue for Princes.
(b) That he considers the most weak Princes to practice ambivalence to virtue.
(c) That he considers bureaucratic expertise to be an important virtue for Princes.
(d) That he believes being ferocious and warlike is an indispensible virtue for a Prince.

5. What did Machiavelli report led gatherings of people to make laws?
(a) To avoid evils that people committed on others.
(b) To set order to the defense of the city.
(c) To protect economic activity that benefited the city.
(d) So resources could be justly distributed.

Short Answer Questions

1. If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be?

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

3. What does Machiavelli believe inspired the expansion of the Roman Empire?

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

5. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?

(see the answer key)

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