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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. Based upon Machiavelli's details, for whose benefit were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes devoted?

2. According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money?

3. What are reasons Machiavelli cited for a group of people leaving their native country to seek a new home?

4. What does Machiavelli identify as an important action for Nobles to take to control the ambitions of Citizens seeking position?

5. What is Machiavelli's conclusion regarding how someone can establish a Republic where there is great equality?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli challenge Cities to punish citizens with respected reputations when they commit wrong acts?

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

3. Why did Machiavelli praise the Plebes for refusing to choose their peers for Tribunes for which the Nobility allowed Plebes candidacy?

4. Why does Machiavelli recommend to leaders of a Republic to keep a shadow of the institutions that are being reformed?

5. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example that can be committed in a Republic?

6. Why does Machiavelli report that the Roman Senate decided to pay a public stipend to the soldiers in the army?

7. What does Machiavelli recommend to a Prince about reform of a city or a province that he has taken?

8. What does Machiavelli mean when he advises that evil in a State be "temporized"?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Machiavelli claims that the Roman Caesars did good and not harm to the Roman Republic. Why did Machiavelli make his claim? Do you agree with his assessment? Use information from research on the authority of the Roman Caesars and other statements from history to support your views.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

At the beginning of Book 2, Machiavelli begins investigating what he considers to be virtuous touches on "virtu" throughout the rest of "The Discourses". Find two characterizations of what Machiavelli considers "virtu" with which you agree and two with which you do not. Explain your positions in each case and give examples of how your choices have been proven through history.

(see the answer keys)

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