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!

What does Machiavelli name as the reason that good men cannot accomplish good for his country? (from Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Internal Security, Equanimity, Insurrection, Confidence, Electioneering, and the Tendering of Advice, Advice to Generals in the Field)

The lack of methods to pass down customs.

They are at war.

Incompetence.

Envy of other men.

What does Machiavelli identify as the cause of using dishonorable words against an enemy? (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)

Poor military tactics of the enemy.

False hopes brought by victory.

Poor discipline in the army.

Corruption that leads to an enemy's defeat.

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 free press and elections.

With bloodshed and without bloodshed.

With natural disaster and new religions.

With war and money.

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 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.

By finding methods to maintain poverty throughout the general masses.

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

It raised taxes on Nobles.

Soldiers began expecting regular pay raises.

Rome was required to produce more currency to meet the payments, so the currency was devalued.

So many Citizens joined the military that there were not enough to perform necessary jobs throughout the Republic.