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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. Where does Gordianus encounter Marcus Licinius Crassus?

2. What is Gordianus's first impression of Cicero?

3. During their investigation at the House of Swans, Gordianus is told that Elena______________________.

4. What is significant about Gordianus lacking a surname?

5. Who is the man prosecuting Cicero's client?

Short Essay Questions

1. When Gordianus and Tiro see the tenement fire, what is the significance of that?

2. Why does Gordianus loan Bethesda to the household of the stable master?

3. What elements of Cicero's home seem to contradict one another?

4. Why does Polia think she is protecting Eco by lying about him witnessing the attack?

5. Explain why Caecilia would house Sextus Roscius (filius) in an unsavory part of her house, near the stinking indoor toilets.

6. What is the purpose of the author's inclusion of the scene where Gordianus and Tiro see a gladiator stabbed while they are walking to Cicero's house?

7. Why does Gordianus mention the fog at the end of Chapter 15?

8. Why does Cicero send Tiro instead of a lesser slave to the home of Gordianus?

9. Electra tells Gordianus and Tiro that some men bought Elena. What else does she reveal?

10. How would you describe Caecilia Metella?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the social class system of Rome specifically as it applies to the main characters in Roman Blood.

Essay Topic 2

Caecilia is a powerful and wealthy woman. How does she use that power throughout the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Why is the ending of this novel so satisfying?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 649 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample