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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli believe the Roman Republic grew?
(a) Because of the strength of its Captains.
(b) Because of the wisdom of its Magistrates.
(c) Because of the virtue of its soldiers.
(d) Because of the money of its Nobles.

2. Why does Machiavelli consider the public a better judge than Princes for who should occupy public offices.
(a) Because Princes play favorites.
(b) Because the public is guided by what others say of a candidate beyond publicly known acts.
(c) Because Princes are too easily distracted by women.
(d) Because the public is swayed by true Nobility.

3. Why would corrupt Republics accept common deceptions?
(a) Because they hide the corruption of the political class.
(b) Because they are put forward by men who want favors more readily for themselves than for the public.
(c) Because they keep anyone from knowing any truth.
(d) Because they help to confuse Citizens to the corruption.

4. Who does Machiavelli consider to have an advantage in battle?
(a) The largest army.
(b) The attacker.
(c) The Artillery.
(d) The Cavalry.

5. How do weak men handle changes in fortune, according to Machiavelli?
(a) They are greedy in good times and beggars in bad times.
(b) They are vain and inebriated by good fortune and vile and abject in bad fortune.
(c) They are arrogant in good times and cowards in bad times.
(d) They are insufferable in good times and obscure in bad times.

6. What is the reason Machiavelli claims Princes with weaker armies would rush into battle?
(a) Such Princes are deluded over their power.
(b) Because a long war would be harmful to all his subjects.
(c) Because their judgment was hindered by the situation.
(d) Such Princes face no alternative.

7. To whom did Machiavelli refer to demonstrate the value of poverty on the character of leadership?
(a) Brutus.
(b) Caesar.
(c) Claudius.
(d) Cincinnatus.

8. What are the two things that Machiavelli cites as the causes of the dissolution of the Roman Republic?
(a) Defiance of laws by Nobles and corruption of Plebs.
(b) Contentions that arose from the Agrarian law and the prolongation of military commands.
(c) Sloth and leisure.
(d) Inflation of the currency and bureaucracy.

9. What does Machiavelli claim happens to great men in times of peace?
(a) They become neglected.
(b) They become tyrants.
(c) They become corrupted and evil.
(d) They retire and slip into obscurity.

10. For what reason does Machiavelli advise people in power to, "...lay aside personal hatred?"
(a) To serve the freedom of the Self.
(b) To prepare for war.
(c) To build good families.
(d) For the good of the country.

11. What does Machiavelli name as the reason that good men cannot accomplish good for his country?
(a) Incompetence.
(b) The lack of methods to pass down customs.
(c) They are at war.
(d) Envy of other men.

12. Why does Machiavelli suggest that Republics arrive to changing with the times later than individuals?
(a) Because the layers of bureaucracy is unresponsive.
(b) Because Citizens in a Republic are resistant to funding changes.
(c) Because they suffer more in changing.
(d) Because their leaders are out of touch with the Citizens.

13. According to Machiavelli, what is the sign of a truly powerful Republic?
(a) It does not take land or gain support with money, but through the virtue of its army and war.
(b) It can intimidate other Cities to become part of it without fighting battles.
(c) It has the wealth to buy other lands.
(d) It has the diplomatic skill to cajole the support of other Republics.

14. What does Machiavelli advise to Princes who desire to take something from another Prince?
(a) To make sure that their generals know tactics of deception.
(b) To keep their plans a secret.
(c) To take the Prince captive first but make no hasty decisions afterwards.
(d) To act quickly to force a quick decision on the other Prince.

15. What type of person does Machiavelli advise against promoting to important positions in a Republic?
(a) Anyone who has been done a notable injury by someone.
(b) Anyone who has killed a rival.
(c) Anyone who is ambitious.
(d) Anyone who has avoided war.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Machiavelli, why did Livius believe the Roman Republic grew?

2. Why does Machiavelli claim that Princes should not complain of faults of People under their authority?

3. Why does Machiavelli believe that leaders of his time refuse to follow the examples of dealing with tumults set by leaders of ancient times.

4. Why does Machiavelli consider it impossible to establish a perpetual Republic?

5. What has Machiavelli considered many times to be the causes of good and bad fortunes to men?

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