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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli believe comes to a good army without a good Captain?
(a) It sells itself to the highest bidder.
(b) It regroups and promotes its most virtuous member.
(c) It becomes insolent and dangerous.
(d) It breaks apart and goes home.

2. What often happens to Captains who see a tactical error committed by their enemies?
(a) They are blinded by the desire for victory.
(b) They take the steps to assure victory.
(c) They are overly cautious and bring defeat.
(d) They move into passes and ambush the enemy.

3. On what does Machiavelli believe a Republic must be organized?
(a) On the reputation of Citizens that give benefit to the city and avoid harming it and its liberty.
(b) The strength of its armies that can occupy provinces.
(c) The wisdom of its Nobles who will know how to use wealth.
(d) The virtu of its Captains who will effectively deceive enemies.

4. How many commanders does Machiavelli advise over an army?
(a) One for each division.
(b) One.
(c) One for battle and one for negotiation.
(d) A tribunal.

5. What does Machiavelli identify as the difference between a Republic and the State (government) in how they can handle maladies?
(a) A Republic appoints a bureaucracy, but a state goes to war.
(b) A Republic uses its freedom, but a state uses its laws.
(c) A Republic has time to correct maladies, but a State does not.
(d) A Republic counts on the wisdom of its Plebes, but a State uses the wealth of its Nobles.

6. What does Machiavelli claim to be the cause of Princes losing inherited power?
(a) Indifference to their Principality.
(b) Their rejection of laws and ancient institutions.
(c) Incompetence.
(d) Arrogance.

7. What, according to Machiavelli, determines whether or not a Republic falls into tyranny.
(a) The corruption of its Nobles.
(b) The absence of its military.
(c) The weakness of its Princes.
(d) The reputation of its Citizens.

8. Who were the two Roman Consuls whose tactics Machiavelli compares as an example of how Princes can take what belongs to another?
(a) Decius and Octavius.
(b) Claudius and Brutus.
(c) Fabius and Junius.
(d) Decius and Fabius.

9. Why does Machiavelli admire Fabius Maximus for avoiding battles?
(a) Because it gave the Senate time to negotiate a treaty.
(b) Because he waited until the time for battle was in his favor.
(c) Because he did not have a sufficient number of soldiers.
(d) Because his soldiers were unqualified for battle.

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

11. What does Machiavelli consider to be a great sign of weakness in Republic?
(a) When it provides money to other cities that are weaker than it.
(b) When it continually keeps armies out of fear of other Republics.
(c) When it relies on war to gain new territory.
(d) When it uses diplomatic skill to cajole the support of other Republics.

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

13. Why does Machiavelli consider it impossible to establish a perpetual Republic?
(a) Because all the ruling Nobles will have to be sent to colonies.
(b) Because in a thousand unforeseen ways its ruin may be caused.
(c) Because a Republic will always have ambitious men.
(d) Because a Republic must always send its best men to war.

14. Why does Machiavelli consider men prudent for considering the proverb he cites at the beginning of Book 2, Section 49?
(a) Because Machiavelli believes, "for all the things of the world in every time have had the very resemblance as those of ancient times.
(b) Because Machiavelli believes, "Men are too quick to neglect the achievements of their fathers."
(c) Because Machiavelli believes, "only the fool says there is no God."
(d) Because Machiavelli believes, "It is better to know where you have been to know what direction you are going."

15. What does Machiavelli consider one of the most important reasons the Roman Empire was successful in expanding its borders?
(a) It had laws that kept the Plebes in their place.
(b) It kept Citizens in poverty.
(c) It showed skill in placing Nobles in control over colonies.
(d) The Senate gave great authority to military leaders over Cities that Rome was attacking.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli write will prevent a bad Citizen from working evil in a Republic?

2. How does the institution that makes men "harsh or effeminate" influence them, according to Machiavelli?

3. What does Machiavelli claim that prudent men usually say?

4. What knowledge is necessary for a Captain to be successful?

5. What does Machiavelli predict comes to those Republics that are changed violently.

(see the answer keys)

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