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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was an example from Roman history that Machiavelli used to suggest the Plebes possesses greater wisdom than Nobles?
(a) The Magistrates decision to delay battle against the Samnites.
(b) A time when the Plebes could have chosen all Plebes for four Tribunes, chose, instead, four Nobles because they recognized the weaknesses of Plebes filling those offices.
(c) The failed attempt of the Nobles to put Plebes of ill-repute to selection for Tribunes.
(d) The willingness of the Plebes to go to war for the glory of Rome.

2. According to Machiavelli, what caused the Roman Republic to form?
(a) Class warfare between the patricians and the plebes.
(b) Political rivalries between powerful generals.
(c) Economic agreements between fertile cities.
(d) Trade agreements between cities with resources and cities with technologies.

3. How did Roman soldiers provide for themselves before the Senate decided to pay them?
(a) They worked as aides to Senators.
(b) They received sponsorships from Nobles.
(c) They worked as farmers.
(d) They were required to provide for their own needs.

4. What did Machiavelli suggest is the advantage of settling in areas that were "sterile" (barren)?
(a) Barren areas stand at crossroads between fertile areas so they can control trade between prosperous cities.
(b) The poverty of resources would require those living there to have less cause for discord.
(c) The isolation from more fertile areas allow for greater freedom.
(d) Residents of sterile areas become more creative and develop technologies that can be sold to more fertile areas.

5. What do fertile areas offer to those who settle there according to Machiavelli?
(a) The means by which a city can grow and have the ability to defend themselves.
(b) Raw materials that can be sent to sterile areas for manufacturing and refinement.
(c) The ability to affect the economy of sterile areas.
(d) Resources that will sustain a growing population.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli suggest that those who have received great rewards should not be spared punishments for acting badly?

2. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?

3. What does Machiavelli consider to be the means of someone rising from the bottom to gain a great fortune?

4. What does Machiavelli identify as an important action for Nobles to take to control the ambitions of Citizens seeking position?

5. Considering Machiavelli's praise for the example of how Nobles manipulated the opportunity for Plebes to select their peers for positions of influence, who is the clear intended audience of "The Discourses"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli report that the Roman Senate decided to pay a public stipend to the soldiers in the army?

2. What are the reasons that Machiavelli gives for people who leave their home country for another out of necessity?

3. Why does Machiavelli challenge Cities to punish citizens with respected reputations when they commit wrong acts?

4. Why does Machiavelli consider a Citizen rising to take authority through irregular means (popular uprising) harmful in a Republic?

5. Why should a Prince measure his forces and govern by his decisions based upon them before he enters a war?

6. Why did Machiavelli praise the Plebes for refusing to choose their peers for Tribunes for which the Nobility allowed Plebes candidacy?

7. What acts by governing officials does Machiavelli consider "pernicious" or damaging to the authority of the government?

8. What two methods did Machiavelli identify that Roman Nobility drew honor from the Plebes?

9. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example that can be committed in a Republic?

10. Why were the Plebe candidates not suited for the open positions of the Tribunes?

(see the answer keys)

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