View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Plutarch, for what was Cicero's rhetoric noted?
(a) Planned and methodical logic.
(b) Fiery emotion and revolutionary appeal.
(c) Somber and serious focus.
(d) Sharp wit, constant joking, and sarcastic remarks.

2. Why did Plutarch claim that Tiberius was beaten to death on the Senate Floor?
(a) Because the senate was convinced that he was involved in the conspiracy against Caesar by Antony.
(b) Because Octavius made a speech that associated Tiberius' actions with those who had ambitions to become king.
(c) Because homeless soldiers got tired of waiting for his success and stormed the senate floor and cornered Tiberius.
(d) Because landowners became frustrated by his persistence and decided to end it in the senate.

3. What did Plutarch report as the difference in the affects on the homelands of "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans"?
(a) The work of "The Roman Brothers" gave no addition to Rome's former greatness, but "The Spartans" helped Sparta exert power over all of Peloponnesus and restored the orderly rule of the sons of Hercules.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" were responsible for the split of the Roman Empire, but "The Spartans" extended Sparta into India.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" stabilized the government prior to its greatest empirical march, but "The Spartans" left the government stagnated and ineffectual.
(d) The work of "The Roman Brothers" helped to expand the Roman Empire, but "The Spartans" led to an extended captivity to Macedon.

4. According to Plutarch, what lead to the death of Aratus' father?
(a) He was killed after being exposed as leader of a conspiracy to overthrow a tyranny.
(b) He died in battle for Sicyon.
(c) He was killed by a jealous magistrate wanting to take his power.
(d) He was chosen to as a magistrate over Sicyon as it tried to relieve itself from several tyrannies.

5. How was the Artaxerxes from Plutarch's "Lives" related to the first Artaxerxes to rule over Persia?
(a) They were the same person.
(b) He was the grandson to Artaxerxes through his mother, Parysatis.
(c) He was a general who just happened to have the same name.
(d) He was a distant nephew whose family conspired to come into the line of the throne.

6. Who does Plutarch claim to be the three Macedonian Kings under whom Demosthenes lived?
(a) Alexander, Antipater, Philip III.
(b) Amyntas IV, Philip, Alexander.
(c) Antipater, Philip III, Cassander.
(d) Philip, Alexander, and Antipater.

7. Plutarch's tone in the profile of Aratus changes from his other reports. Why is this?
(a) It was written directly to a descendant of Aratus named Polycrates.
(b) Plutarch declares Aratus to be his most favored figure.
(c) Plutarch is a decendant of Aratus.
(d) Plutarch was commissioned by Aratus' decendants to write the history.

8. Which one of the four being compared does Plutarch report had no great action worthy of a commander?
(a) Caius.
(b) Agis.
(c) Cleomenes.
(d) Tiberius.

9. What did Plutarch claim came of Caius after his death?
(a) His body was displayed by his enemies as a warning to his supporters.
(b) Romans felt regret for what had happened and erected a statue in his honor.
(c) His head was cut off and presented to Opimius as a gift.
(d) His body was found by his family and burned.

10. What did Plutarch claim to be the differences in motivation between Demosthenes and Cicero?
(a) Demosthenes sought glory and honor, but Cicero was motivated by personal gain.
(b) Demosthenes was humble and generous, but Cicero was impulsive and greedy.
(c) Demosthenes was motivated by inspiring Greeks to their past glory, but Cicero was driven by the desire for glory.
(d) Demosthenes was motivated by personal gain, but Cicero refused to take any gifts.

11. What did Plutarch report to be the differences between Rome and Sparta at the time "The Roman Brothers" and "The Spartans" had their influence?
(a) "The Roman Brothers" lived in a time of rebellion against Rome by its extended provinces, but "The Spartans" were part of a time of peace and industry.
(b) "The Roman Brothers" lived at the time that Rome had risen to its greatest repute, but "The Spartans" lived when Sparta was sinking and debauched.
(c) "The Roman Brothers" lived as Rome was transitioning from a Republic to an Empire, but "The Spartans" lived as Sparta was coming to the end of extended captivity to Macedon.
(d) "The Roman Brothers" became part of a movement to unite the provinces of Rome, but "The Spartans" were fighting to free Sparta from Macedonian domination.

12. What does Plutarch claim that Brutus' decision to betray Caesar prove?
(a) That he wanted the opportunity to rule Rome.
(b) That he harbored resentment for his abandoning his mother after their affair.
(c) That he was driven by principle and not emotion.
(d) That he was ungrateful for the grace that Caesar extended to him after the civil war with Pompey.

13. How did Tiberius finally push his land reform law through the Senate, according to Plutarch?
(a) He incited the homeless soldiers to storm the senate and forse it to support the law.
(b) He used his rhetorical skills to influence the senate to support his land reform law.
(c) He imposed an edict preventing all magistrates from performing their functions until the law was passed.
(d) He influenced the praetorian guard to enforce the law in spite of it not passing the senate.

14. After the death of Tiberius, what did Plutarch report to be the first office to which his brother, Caius was elected?
(a) Quaestor.
(b) Magistrate.
(c) Senator.
(d) Consul.

15. With whom does Plutarch report that Cicero joined in a conspiracy with against the son of Caesar?
(a) Cataline and Darius.
(b) Pompey and Crassus.
(c) Antony and Lepidus.
(d) Brutus and Cassius.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Plutarch, why was the issue still alive for Tiberius in spite of previous efforts to address the issue?

2. Who does Plutarch claim led a successful conspiracy to murder Dion?

3. What affect does Plutarch claim Aratus' education and his father's death have on Aratus?

4. How does Plutarch compare the motivations of rebelling between Dion and Brutus?

5. Who does Plutarch identify as predecessor to Galba as emperor of Rome?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,116 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample