This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Reform, Security, and the Elimination of Rivals, On Conspiracies, The Need of Adaptation to Environment.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?
(a) Consuming his wealth in debauchery.
(b) Missing opportunities to conquer other cities.
(c) Lacking their own soldiers for defense and offense.
(d) Being discovered to be self-absorbed and not devoted to building the strength of their cities.

2. What was a rival Empire to Rome as Rome began its expansion?
(a) The Spartans.
(b) The Babylonians.
(c) The Egyptians.
(d) The Carthaginians.

3. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?
(a) If the Nobles of Rome had not sought to possess distant provinces, there would have been no need for Caesars.
(b) Without the empire is it possible that the hazards the empire faced would not have materialized.
(c) Without the Caesars, provinces of the Empire would have moved to avoid hazards.
(d) The cost of Empire caused hazards to gather domestically as well as throughout the Empire.

4. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?
(a) Only if a Prince with the virtue of the excellent Prince follows the weak Prince.
(b) Only if administrators conspire to act with the virtue of the excellent Prince.
(c) Only if the city does not fall into war with a more virtuous city.
(d) Only if the citizens ignore the weak Prince and organize themselves to retain virtue.

5. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?
(a) From long experience and continuous study of worldly affairs.
(b) From research that he did in the many libraries throughout the former Roman Empire.
(c) From interviews with political thinkers of the day.
(d) From his world travels to study governments in other cultures.