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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 does Machiavelli claim that prudent men usually say?
(a) "You have a reference to analyze the past, but none such for the future;..."
(b) "The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history..."
(c) "Only God knows the future and I am not God;..."
(d) "Whoever wants to see what is to be, considers what has been;...."

2. How did Phillip of Macedonia avoid battles with Fabius Maximus?
(a) By moving his soldiers into provinces that Fabius had just left.
(b) By making an alliance with the Samnites.
(c) By staying in a fort.
(d) By disassmbling and going home.

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.
(a) They did not have the power of the Romans.
(b) They regard the judgments of ancient leaders to be inhuman and impossible to apply.
(c) They did not have the virtu of the Romans.
(d) They were too easily influenced by women.

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

5. Who does Machiavelli credit with protecting Rome from the ambitions of the Tribunes?
(a) Lucius Brutus.
(b) Appius Claudius.
(c) Claudius Lucius.
(d) Junius Claudius.

Short Answer Questions

1. What institution does Machiavelli cite in Chapter 46 as being responsible for producing men that are either "harsh or effeminate."

2. What are the two causes that will bring a corrupted Republic to take the important step of extending its life?

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

4. What opportunities come to Princes who take Machiavelli's advice in acting to take something from another Prince.

5. What example does Machiavelli use to show how a Republic can handle a malady?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Machiavelli write of in Book Three, Section 14 when he reviews, "...new inventions and new voices...," and why does he recommend these to be used in the heat of battle?

2. What are two remedies that Machiavelli recommends in Book Three, section16 to prevent a City from becoming corrupted by periods of peace and wealth?

3. What were the two evils that Machiavelli claims came to Rome as its Empire grew in geographical size?

4. Why doesn't Machiavelli expect promises made under force to be kept?

5. Why does Machiavelli consider impetuosity and audacity to often be successful for a Prince to take a province that belongs to another Prince?

6. Why does Machiavelli in Section 28 recommend that Citizens be allowed to obtain honors through public means, but prevented from seeking honors through private means?

7. What does Machiavelli advise those who seek to change a Republic?

8. What does Machiavelli mean when he discusses using "...deceit in the managing of a war..." and why does he consider it a glorious thing?

9. What does Machiavelli consider to be the purpose of expanding an Empire and why must a Prince be well organized in expanding it properly?

10. Why does Machiavelli consider negotiating peace treaties with insurrectionists to be the most harmful method of ending conflicts in a City?

(see the answer keys)

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