This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Three, The Example of Rome's Great Men, Salus Populi, Suprema Lex, Further Reflections Based on the Samnite Wars, The Preservation of Freedom in a Republic.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli cite as Aristotle's three causes of ruin women bring on tyrants.
(a) The demands women make for wealth, food, and houses.
(b) The influence women have on men, children and families.
(c) Injury tyrants commit on women either by seduction, violence or corruption of marriages.
(d) Their seduction of tyrants, distracting their focus, and softening them with parental duties.

2. What does Machiavelli consider necessary to take control over a Republic to install a bad form of government over it?
(a) People corrupted by the times.
(b) Leaders who are irresolute in their decisions.
(c) Bad administrators.
(d) Bad Captains.

3. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?
(a) "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword."
(b) "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."
(c) "...(W)ith as much grace and as honorably as he can, attiring himself with the insignia of his rank which he holds in order to make himself more revered."
(d) "The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."

4. According to Machiavelli, what type of people seek what office to cause a city to become corrupt?
(a) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.
(b) The rich and powerful, rather than the virtuous, seek to become judges (magistrates).
(c) Generals seek to become senators.
(d) The working poor seek to become plebes.

5. What institution does Machiavelli cite in Chapter 46 as being responsible for producing men that are either "harsh or effeminate."
(a) The Senate.
(b) The family.
(c) The Plebs.
(d) The Magistrates.