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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was a rival Empire to Rome as Rome began its expansion?

2. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?

3. What is a Prince as Machiavelli uses the term?

4. Why does Machiavelli recommend that those who want to reform a city should retain the appearance of the institutions they want to reform?

5. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?

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. Why does Machiavelli disagree with Plutarch's claim that Rome acquired its Empire more by good Fortune than by Virtu?

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

4. Why did Machiavelli consider the naming of a Caesar (dictator) over Rome was beneficial to the Empire?

5. What are the three types of state that Machiavelli detailed and by what name are they known today?

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

7. From what did Niccolo Machiavelli make the present that he sent to Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai?

8. Why does Machiavelli consider a Citizen rising to take authority through irregular means (popular uprising) harmful in a Republic?

9. What does Machiavelli claim proves the Romans' love for liberty?

10. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be Excellent?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli applauds the Roman Plebs for having the wisdom not to elect Plebs to the position of Tribunes. Then in Book 1, Section 47 he applauds the Nobles for the methods they used to manage the decision of the Plebs. How does the context of Machiavelli's report in the two chapters form your opinion of Machiavelli's character, his views of freedom, and his views on corruption? Do you agree with Machiavelli's positions in the two chapters? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Would Machiavelli want to affect how customs are down in Cities and families today? For what reasons would he want do to do so? What modern tools or institutions would he use? Be detailed in your responses and use statements from "The Discourses" to support your position on Machiavelli's motivations.

Essay Topic 3

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote during the Italian Renaissance. Identify two notable events or phenomena from the Italian Renaissance and relate content from "The Discourses" that either might have been a response to or a motivation for them.

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