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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. How many meetings with the senators do the decemvirs request?

2. How is the nature of the decemvirs' politics described?

3. Who does Postumius have trouble cooperating with in the military?

4. How do the senators feel about the practices of the decemvirs?

5. What is the general tone of the author's style?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens after the Laws of the Ten Tables are established?

2. What are the decemvirs?

3. Who is Appius Claudius, and what does he point out about the state of Rome?

4. Who is Postumia and why do people object to her?

5. What does Postumius do to cause his soldiers to turn against him, and what is the controversy surrounding his death?

6. What cause does Plato think women should eventually take up and why?

7. What is the "solution" that Rome gives its allies, and how is the decision perceived by the people?

8. What are the Etruscans known for, and why is their advice sought?

9. What do the Volscians surprisingly do that redefines their relationship with Rome?

10. Who do the plebians include, and how are they described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the events surrounding Postumius's death. Which of Postumius's actions are the most offensive and why? Explain how he angers the other soldiers to the point where they take action. Also, include how he dies, the controversy around the trials of the soldiers, and whether or not you think it is a case of justice or murder.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the way the decemvirs seize control of Rome. How are the Romans vulnerable to the decemvirs' takeover? Why are they unaware of their vulnerability? How do the senators respond to the takeover and why? What challenges do the decemvirs encounter and in what ways are they not prepared to meet them? How do the main problems of the decemvirs lead to their downfall? What are the political and cultural results of their removal for the people of Rome? Which lessons do the Romans learn from the situation?

Essay Topic 3

Rome is taken over by Gaul for a variety of reasons, and the Romans are forced to make an important decision.

1) Describe the state of Rome when Gaul attacks and how it contributes to the result of the attacks.

2) Explain who Camillus is and why he has an important part in the war as well as the decision to remain in Rome after it is over.

3) Discuss the events that take place after the war, including how the women are instrumental in giving Rome a second chance, the way they are rewarded for it, and the magnitude of the decision that the Romans are left with.

4) Explain the omen that occurs and how it causes the people to stay in Rome. Also, describe the way the city is rebuilt and what the possible future for the Republic of Rome is.

(see the answer keys)

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