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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli consider the public a better judge than Princes for who should occupy public offices.
(a) Because the public is guided by what others say of a candidate beyond publicly known acts.
(b) Because the public is swayed by true Nobility.
(c) Because Princes play favorites.
(d) Because Princes are too easily distracted by women.

2. What were placed to the right and the left of every battle line of the Roman army?
(a) Tribunes.
(b) The cavalry.
(c) Plebs.
(d) Captains.

3. How many commanders does Machiavelli advise over an army?
(a) One for each division.
(b) One.
(c) One for battle and one for negotiation.
(d) A tribunal.

4. What does Machiavelli claim causes disunity in a Republic?
(a) Corruption and war.
(b) Fortune and leisure.
(c) Idleness and peace.
(d) Wealth and industry.

5. What, according to Machiavelli, did Epaminondas the Theban claim was most necessary and useful for a Captain?
(a) To have new weapons.
(b) To fight in the open.
(c) To use new tactics.
(d) To know the decisions and proceedings of the enemy.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli predict comes to those Republics that are changed violently.

2. What knowledge is necessary for a Captain to be successful?

3. What does Machiavelli consider one of the most important reasons the Roman Empire was successful in expanding its borders?

4. Why does Machiavelli consider it impossible to establish a perpetual Republic?

5. What are the two ways that Republics are altered that Machiavelli examines?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Machiavelli advise those who seek to change a Republic?

2. Why did "Captains of Fortune" favor cavalry over infantry?

3. Why would there be much bloodshed in the cases that a Republic moves violently from tyranny to freedom?

4. What does Machiavelli write of in Book Three, Section 14 when he reviews, "...new inventions and new voices...," and why does he recommend these to be used in the heat of battle?

5. Why does Machiavelli devote his longest section of "The Discourses" to discussing conspiracy?

6. Why does Machiavelli in Section 28 recommend that Citizens be allowed to obtain honors through public means, but prevented from seeking honors through private means?

7. What does Machiavelli mean when he discusses using "...deceit in the managing of a war..." and why does he consider it a glorious thing?

8. What are two reasons that Machiavelli claims men have a hard time changing with the times?

9. Why does Machiavelli consider saving an army from attack to be an effective method for defending a country?

10. What were the two evils that Machiavelli claims came to Rome as its Empire grew in geographical size?

(see the answer keys)

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