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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 example does Machiavelli use to show how a Republic can handle a malady?
(a) Captains using deception to preserve freedom.
(b) Immigrants taking part in elections and affecting the laws of government.
(c) Plebs developing industry to create wealth.
(d) The Senate using wisdom to avert disaster.

2. What does Machiavelli consider the most useful possession for the defense of a Republic?
(a) Wise diplomats.
(b) A good army.
(c) Strong fortresses.
(d) Harsh Captains.

3. What was the difference between the tactics of the two Roman Consuls Machiavelli used as an example?
(a) Claudius used deception and Brutus used conspiracy.
(b) Decius attacked with all his strength, Fabius used slow assault.
(c) Fabius used artillery and Junius used cavlary.
(d) Decius used surprise and Octavius used infantry.

4. Against whom are conspiracies made?
(a) Captains and Kings.
(b) Citizens and Plebs.
(c) Princes and countries.
(d) Republics and Senates.

5. In the comparison between the tactics of Scipio and Hannibal, what does Machiavelli consider to be praiseworthy?
(a) New uses of artillery.
(b) Success.
(c) Surprise.
(d) Feigned foolishness.

Short Answer Questions

1. What were placed to the right and the left of every battle line of the Roman army?

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

3. Who does Machiavelli consider to have an advantage in battle?

4. What does Machiavelli claim causes disunity in a Republic?

5. According to Machiavelli, what is the sign of a truly powerful Republic?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Machiavelli uses the word "esteemed" in reference to artillery and infantry, what does he mean?

2. 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?

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

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

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

6. Why does Machiavelli consider sustaining an initial thrust of an enemy to be an effective strategy for winning a battle?

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

8. 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?

9. What is the advice that Machiavelli gives to Princes who take possessions from another Prince?

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

(see the answer keys)

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