The Discourses Quiz

Take our free The Discourses quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Through what means does Machiavelli suggest that a City can achieve what he considers greatness? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War)

Through love or force.

Through conquest and deceit.

Through laws and wealth.

Through fear and violence.

What kinds of men are frowned upon in corrupt Republics? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, The Army, Its Discipline and Component Parts, The Administration of Conquered Territory and Other Problems Which Admit of No Middle Course, Mistakes Often Made in Connection With War, Rome's Dealings With Neighboring)

Scribes.

Excellent men.

Vocal men.

Common men.

Who does Machiavelli consider to have an advantage in battle? (from Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, The Army, Its Discipline and Component Parts, The Administration of Conquered Territory and Other Problems Which Admit of No Middle Course, Mistakes Often Made in Connection With War, Rome's Dealings With Neighboring)

The largest army.

The Cavalry.

The attacker.

The Artillery.

What is Machiavelli's conclusion regarding how someone can establish a Republic where there is great equality? (from Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government)

By uniting the whole public behind wars and efforts to grow the Empire.

By finding methods to maintain poverty throughout the general masses.

By assuring that the assets that create wealth are kept within the power of the State.

By removing ambitious and unquiet spirits that makes men want to move up in rank.

What are the two ways that Republics are altered that Machiavelli examines? (from Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Reform, Security, and the Elimination of Rivals, On Conspiracies, The Need of Adaptation to Environment)

With natural disaster and new religions.

With free press and elections.

With bloodshed and without bloodshed.

With war and money.