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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. According to Machiavelli, why did Livius believe the Roman Republic grew?
(a) Because of the money of its Nobles.
(b) Because of the strength of its soldiers.
(c) Because of the wisdom of its Magistrates.
(d) Because of the virtue of its Captains.

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

3. How does the institution that makes men "harsh or effeminate" influence them, according to Machiavelli?
(a) Because, "The magistrates either declare punishments or delays judgment."
(b) Because, "The Plebs either prepare for virtus of war or fall to corruption."
(c) Because, "The Senate either deliberates or declares war."
(d) Because, "It is very important that a young man of tender years begins to hear the good and bad of a thing."

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Machiavelli credit with protecting Rome from the ambitions of the Tribunes?

2. What does Machiavelli identify as the difference between a Republic and the State (government) in how they can handle maladies?

3. What does Machiavelli recommend as the three ways to restore a divided city?

4. What did Livius' history of Rome identify as the three divisions of the Roman army?

5. How do weak men handle changes in fortune, according to Machiavelli?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli consider towns more difficult to conquer after the Citizens have been in rebellion?

2. Why would there be much bloodshed in the cases that a Republic moves violently from tyranny to freedom?

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

4. 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?

5. Why does Machiavelli consider saving an army from attack to be an effective method for defending a country?

6. Why does Machiavelli warn Princes from using auxiliary soldiers from another Prince?

7. Why does Machiavelli consider defending an army with fortifications useless with the artillery that was new to his day?

8. Why does Machiavelli recommend to avoid appointing anyone who has been offended to an important position in government?

9. What are some of methods that Machiavelli identifies that Citizens use to earn private honors?

10. Why does Machiavelli believe, "that men born in a province observe for all time almost the same natures (Book 3, Section 43)?"

(see the answer keys)

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