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. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?
(a) With advice to two friends on how to keep their friends close and their enemies closer.
(b) As a warning to future generations of the tenuous nature of freedom.
(c) As a letter to two political thinkers from Florence.
(d) As a cynical commentary to the weakness of leaders of his time.

2. What are three reasons that Machiavelli gives for cities becoming unhappy?
(a) When leaders drain resources to fight wars, when laws become tools for Princes to become more wealthy, when there is taxation without representation.
(b) When cities are compelled to reorganize laws by themselves, when the laws diverge from their established institutions, and when the laws lead cities from the right path.
(c) When taxes drain Plebes of their wages, when resources are not allocated equitably, and when Princes seek to expand their influence with wars.
(d) When cities face armed challenges from outside institutions, the courts do not act justly, and when leaders abuse their power.

3. What does Machiavelli examine in Chapter 1 of Book 2?
(a) Whether the Roman Empire was built upon fortune or virtue.
(b) How virtue can destroy fortune.
(c) How to develop fortune and virtue.
(d) Why fortune is more important that virtue.

4. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(b) The legislative branch.
(c) The plebeian branch.
(d) The princes.

5. What are two reasons Machiavelli gives for foreign forces building a city?
(a) To relieve existing towns of excessive inhabitants and for the defense of the country from which the forces come.
(b) To offer people in other lands the benefits of the existing system and to make their abilities and resources for universally beneficial.
(c) To spread the culture of the homeland and use resources for financial development.
(d) To exercise power over enemies and expand the power of an established system.