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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?
(a) To his projections of the future in which Machiavelli speculated on how power would be preserved.
(b) To the state of political instability in which was common to Machiavelli's day.
(c) To his ideal state that combined the most successful institutions from those civilizations.
(d) To great works of antique art that have been found and preserved.

2. Through what means does Machiavelli suggest that a City can achieve what he considers greatness?
(a) Through laws and wealth.
(b) Through conquest and deceit.
(c) Through fear and violence.
(d) Through love or force.

3. What is a Prince as Machiavelli uses the term?
(a) A hereditary noble.
(b) A dispatched bureaucrat that carries out orders over a territory.
(c) A monarch over a sovereign system of government and territory.
(d) An underling to the ruling authority.

4. What did Machiavelli report led gatherings of people to make laws?
(a) To avoid evils that people committed on others.
(b) To protect economic activity that benefited the city.
(c) So resources could be justly distributed.
(d) To set order to the defense of the city.

5. What does "Crescit interea Roma Albae ruinis" mean?
(a) The Roman interrogations ruined Albanian Fertile Crescent.
(b) Rome and Alba ruined Crete's industry.
(c) Creative Romans will bring ruins to Alba.
(d) Rome grew on the ruins of Alba .

6. What does Machiavelli recommend to a City that is unable to defend itself, but wants to be protected from anyone who would attack it?
(a) Make alliances with powerful Cities.
(b) Hire mercenaries.
(c) To give itself freely to whomever would defend the city.
(d) Train its citizens to form a strong army.

7. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?
(a) He recommends that efforts be made to temporize (compromise) them rather than crush them.
(b) He advocates smearing them with public proclamations about the threat they pose.
(c) He advises Princes to allow his supporters to conspire to assassinate the enemies.
(d) Princes should name appoint them to offices to leave their actions open to public scrutiny.

8. What were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes that Machiavelli reported were taken by Roman Nobility in Book 1, Section 52?
(a) A reduction of taxes and the initiation of public works jobs for which Plebes would have the first opportunity for hiring.
(b) Allowing Plebes to contend for four Tribune positions and paying wages to soldiers.
(c) Offerings to Plebes of land in newly captured territories.
(d) A regular schedule of holidays throughout the year that gave Plebes an opportunity to rest.

9. In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli credits the ruin of Republics on citizens who jump from one ambition to another. What was the phrase that Sallust put in the mouth of Caesar that explains how such ambitions begin?
(a) "I see the better things, and approve; I follow the worse."
(b) "All evil examples have their origins in good beginnings."
(c) "Vini. Vidi. Vici."
(d) "Beware the Ides of March."

10. According to Machiavelli, how did the Nobles of Rome attempt to correct the limit on the wealth that was placed on them by Agrarian Laws?
(a) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.
(b) They raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(c) The Nobles took political control over the Senate and changed the laws to allow Nobles to control all the land of the Empire.
(d) They reduced taxes on themselves and used their increased wealth to buy back their land.

11. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?
(a) Knowing that the enemy of his enemy is his friend.
(b) Keeping friends close and enemies closer.
(c) In times of peace not neglecting the arrangements of war.
(d) Picking battles that are important enough to fight and small enough to win.

12. Why does Machiavelli claim that the rule of the Caesars was preferable to the regime of the Decemvirs?
(a) Because under the Caesar, there remained the Tribunes, Consuls, and the Senate, to whom the Caesar remained responsible.
(b) Because the Caesars ended Rome's state of continual war.
(c) Because, according to Machiavelli, the Decemvirs did not pursue expansion of the Empire.
(d) Because Machiavelli believed that the Decemvirs were too lax on punishments for violators of the law.

13. 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 taxes drain Plebes of their wages, when resources are not allocated equitably, and when Princes seek to expand their influence with wars.
(c) 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.
(d) When cities face armed challenges from outside institutions, the courts do not act justly, and when leaders abuse their power.

14. Considering Machiavelli's praise for the example of how Nobles manipulated the opportunity for Plebes to select their peers for positions of influence, who is the clear intended audience of "The Discourses"?
(a) Plebes who need to know the tactics of Nobles to control them.
(b) Nobles seeking methods to keep their power.
(c) Those who are concerned with how the Republic is being manipulated by people with power.
(d) Future candidates for election who need to know how to win.

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. In defending his view that Roman Dictators served their city well, what phrase does Machiavelli use to explain how the Caesars absorbed their power?

2. What do fertile areas offer to those who settle there according to Machiavelli?

3. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?

4. Why does Machiavelli suggest wars should be quick with limited damage to the conquered City?

5. What does Machiavelli claim will make a City great?

(see the answer keys)

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