View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How long did Sparta peacefully exist without changing its laws, according to Machiavelli?
(a) 350 years.
(b) Until its domination by Rome.
(c) 800 years.
(d) Through the reign of Lycurgus.

2. What were the reasons that Machiavelli cited for the Roman Senate choosing to pay a public stipend to fighting men (soldiers)?
(a) To keep the citizens in poverty so they would support wars.
(b) To hide the increased taxes that were used to build houses for Nobles.
(c) To increase the number of soldiers in the army.
(d) Because without the stipend, wars could not be made for any length of time, neither could Rome besiege towns nor lead armies to a distance.

3. Why does Machiavelli suggest that a Prince keep his conquered territories disunited from the City over which he has his power?
(a) So the merchants can benefit from the trade between the City and the conquered territory.
(b) So his City is not affected by immigration.
(c) So the conquered territories cannot unite with his existing Citizens to overthrow him.
(d) So that the Prince alone can profit from the acquisition.

4. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."
(a) Cause them to distribute wealth.
(b) Involve them in a brave enterprise.
(c) For Nobles to cultivate rivalries between partisans among the People.
(d) For the Nobles to promote corrupted Citizens in elections.

5. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?
(a) What Roman people did to aggrandize the Empire.
(b) How to secure freedom for an Empire by keeping the military active.
(c) How to secure power by expanding it.
(d) How to use truth to persuade Citizens to support the power of the Prince.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Machiavelli, what is the first thing that Citizens seek when starting on the path of chasing their ambitions?

2. What does Machiavelli establish as the relationship between gold and good soldiers?

3. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?

4. What did Machiavelli report led gatherings of people to make laws?

5. What does Machiavelli claim will make a City great?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli recommend to leaders of a Republic to keep a shadow of the institutions that are being reformed?

2. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be weak?

3. How does Machiavelli explain that a City grows either through love or through force?

4. What does Machiavelli mean when he uses the term "virtu" for a Prince?

5. What examples from history does Machiavelli claim offers guidance to leaders?

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

7. What are the two reasons that Machiavelli gives for his opinion that the courts (Faculty of Accusing) are the most necessary and useful authority to guard liberty in a City?

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

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

10. Why does Machiavelli believe that people who break away from the rule of a Prince have difficulty keeping their freedom?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 972 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample