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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 were placed to the right and the left of every battle line of the Roman army?
(a) Tribunes.
(b) Captains.
(c) The cavalry.
(d) Plebs.

2. 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) "Whoever wants to see what is to be, considers what has been;...."
(d) "Only God knows the future and I am not God;..."

3. What phrase could summarize what Livius' details as qualifications for an effective Captain.
(a) His men hate his personality but love his tactics.
(b) He earns animosity in training but trust in battle.
(c) His wisdom is established by his deceptions.
(d) He leads by deeds and not words.

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

5. What does Machiavelli claim causes disunity in a Republic?
(a) Fortune and leisure.
(b) Wealth and industry.
(c) Idleness and peace.
(d) Corruption and war.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli predict will come of corrupted Republics if they do not take the important step of extending its life?

2. What is the proverb that Machiavelli reports the Samnites used on the Tuscans to encourage them to make war on the Roman Empire?

3. What does Machiavelli claim comes to those Republics that are changed through the general public?

4. Why does Machiavelli advise Captains to use new things at the time that he does?

5. What, according to Machiavelli, did Epaminondas the Theban claim was most necessary and useful for a Captain?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Machiavelli recommend as the three methods of reuniting a City that has been divided?

2. Why does Machiavelli recommend that any organization maintain itself by frequently renewing its founding principals?

3. Why does Machiavelli devote his longest section of "The Discourses" to discussing conspiracy?

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. What does Machiavelli believe is the consequence of insulting anyone with words?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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