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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are the character qualities Plutarch attributes to Cato from infancy?
(a) He showed great sensitivity to women and plebes.
(b) He had an influential rhetorical style that easily impressed audiences.
(c) He had an uncommon ability to retain knowledge.
(d) He had an inflexible temper, resolute in purpose, and not easily provoked to anger.

2. There were 12 Roman Caesar's. Which one is Plutarch chronicling?
(a) Octavious Caesar.
(b) Tiberius Caesar.
(c) The first Caesar, Gaius Julius Caesar.
(d) Caesar Augustus.

3. What came of Rome after Crassus died, according to Plutarch?
(a) It collapsed into a civil war between supporters of Caesar and Pompey.
(b) Pompey fled Rome out of fear of Caesar's desire to take total control.
(c) The Senate was split in its support for Caesar or Pompey.
(d) Caesar conspired to have Pompey assassinated.

4. Who did Plutarch claim Agis had imprisoned and hanged?
(a) Leotychides.
(b) Lysander.
(c) Agesilaus.
(d) Leonidas.

5. According to Plutarch, how did Cleomenes become King of the Spartans?
(a) He became King after the death of Leonidas.
(b) He became King after defeating Agesilaus in battle.
(c) He became King after Lysander used a false prophesy to discredit Leotychides.
(d) He became king from family succssion from Agis.

6. What battle against Macedon, according to Plutarch, that Phocion warned against taking that the Athenians lost under a different general?
(a) The battle of Persia.
(b) The battle for Euboea.
(c) The battle at Chaeronea.
(d) The battle of Delphi.

7. What disaster does Plutarch report occurred on the day that Alexander was born that later added to the legend that he was a demi-god?
(a) An earthquake shook the royal palace while Alexander was being born.
(b) A Macedonian fleet survived a horrible storm at sea on the day Alexander was born.
(c) The Temple of Diana burned down and a story was spread that it did so because Diana was attending the birth of Alexander.
(d) Lightning hit the area of the palace where Alexander's mother was giving birth.

8. Who did Plutarch report to be the father of Agis and Agesilaus?
(a) Zeuxidamus, King of the Lacedaemonians.
(b) Archidamus, king of the Lacedaemonians.
(c) Alcibiades.
(d) Duris the historian.

9. What does Plutarch claim caused Caesar and Pompey to become rivals for power?
(a) Pompey's alliance with Crassus.
(b) Pompey's defeat to Sertorius in Spain.
(c) The rivalry between Pompey's father and Caesar's family.
(d) Crassus' death.

10. In what sort of family does Plutarch claim Eumenes was raised?
(a) A noble family.
(b) A ruling class family.
(c) A military family
(d) A poor laboring family.

11. What did Plutarch report of Phocion's temperament?
(a) "For assuredly there is difference enough among virtues of the same denomination as between the bravery of Alcibiades and that of Eapmindondas,..."
(b) "He that remonstrates with them (public bodies) on their errors is presumed to be insulting over their misfortunes...."
(c) "...That public bodies are most insulting and contumelious to a good man,...."
(d) "...that scarcely was he ever seen by any Athenian either laughing, or in tears."

12. What does Plutarch report to be the condition of Lacedaemonia when Agis and his partner began their reign?
(a) It was taken by avarice, a base spirit, luxury, effeminacy and had fallen from her former virtue and repute.
(b) Lacedaemonia had risen to become the most powerful of Spartan cities.
(c) Lacedaemonia had become little more than a crossroad for commerce to more industrious cities.
(d) It was beaten down by wars with citizens who had lost hope of recovery.

13. What was the most notable sign that Plutarch suggests that proves Caesar had begun to win popular support to challenge Sylla?
(a) When he took possession of a field owned by Sylla.
(b) When he praised an enemy of Sylla's, named Marius, during the eulogy of Marius' wife.
(c) When he allied himself with Sylla's enemies in the Senate.
(d) When he challenged Sylla's hold on power directly in the Senate.

14. How did Plutarch claim Agis and Cleomenes incurred the hatred of the rich and powerful?
(a) By inciting the working class to take their property.
(b) By being desirous to restore the noble and just form of government.
(c) By taxing them to support homeless soldiers.
(d) By taking their laborers from them to fight in wars.

15. What did Plutarch report to be the result of Cato's management of the exchequer?
(a) Cato served only briefly because of the corrupt expectations of the political system.
(b) Cato was inundated with dealing with corruption and faced down opposition.
(c) Cato reduced taxes, but the senate was preoccupied with using the treasury for political favors.
(d) Cato filled it with treasure and made it appear the state might be rich without oppressing the people.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Plutarch use the name, "Cato the Younger"?

2. Who is the famous Roman General that Plutarch claims Sertorius outwitted during his exile in Spain?

3. Plutarch compares Sertorius to Philip, Antigonus, and Hannibal for his aggression, strategy, and what one other commonality?

4. Who invaded Spartan provinces while Cleomenes was making reforms in Spartan government, according to Plutarch?

5. What preceded Caesar's election by the Senate to Dictator, according to Plutarch?

(see the answer keys)

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