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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 do the decemvirs respond to outside enemies?

2. Who are Marcus Genucius and Gaius Curtius?

3. Why are slaves not considered part of the plebian class?

4. What part of the planet uses laws similar to that of the Romans, based on Judaic philosophy?

5. How have the allies been fighting their war until they seek a mediator for it?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the main problem the decemvirs are having and why?

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

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

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

5. What threat do the decemvirs face, and how do they initially attempt to deal with it?

6. What are the decemvirs?

7. Why does the city of Ardea respond positively to Rome's new outlook?

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

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

10. What is the goal of the Roman military as they begin the war with Veii, and how do they attempt to meet it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Similar to other accounts of Roman history, prophecies and omens are discussed throughout the book.

1) Which cities or regions are considered to have the most knowledge about prophecies and why?

2) What effect do omens have on Rome in particular, and how do they respond to them?

3) What role do omens play in the political structure of the Republic of Rome?

Be sure to include several examples in your analysis.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Chronicle the war between the creditors and the debtors, including the following:

1) How the dispute begins, what brings it to the forefront of Roman politics, and the way it intensifies.

2) What steps the senators take to initially deal with the problems and how the people respond to their actions.

3) The ways that creditors exploit the debtors and the proposal the government makes to the debtors as well as the reasons behind it.

4) The war with the Volscians and its impact on the war between the creditors and the debtors.

5) Why and how the debtors eventually take matters into their own hands and whether or not you agree with their actions.

(see the answer keys)

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