
1. In this selection, Tacitus focuses his history of Nero on Nero's:
~ In this selection, Tacitus focuses his history of Nero on Nero's morality. This focus on the virtue of public leaders was common for Roman historiography: for example, the famed historian Livy suggested that individual virtue was behind Rome's success.
@ In this selection, Tacitus focuses his history of Nero on Nero's morality. This focus on the virtue of public leaders was common for Roman historiography: for example, the famed historian Livy suggested that individual virtue was behind Rome's success.
a. conquests.
*b. morality.
c. policies.
d. hobbies.

2. "Sine ira et studio" translates as
~ "Sine ira et studio" translates as "without bitterness or partiality."
@"Sine ira et studio" translates as "without bitterness or partiality."
a. "the die is cast."
*b. "without bitterness or partiality."
c. "deeds, not words."
d. "only words are truly immortal."


3. "Sine ira et studio" suggests that Tacitus
~ "Sine ira et studio" suggests that Tacitus wanted his audience to believe he was writing with an objective viewpoint.
@ "Sine ira et studio" suggests that Tacitus wanted his audience to believe he was writing with an objective viewpoint.
a. kept his criticisms to a minimum.
b. wrote objectively about Nero.
*c. wanted his audience to believe he was writing with an objective viewpoint.
d. was critical of Polybius.

4. A similarity between Polybius and Tacitus is that they both saw historical change as 
~ A similarity between Polybius and Tacitus is that they both saw historical change as related to public virtue.
@ A similarity between Polybius and Tacitus is that they both saw historical change as related to public virtue.
a. the result of Tyche, or Fortune.
b. caused by greed.
c. caused by leaders/heroes.
*d. related to public virtue.

5. Tacitus was a _____ of the Roman Empire.
~ Tacitus was a senator of the Roman Empire, as well as the son-in-law of Roman general Agricola, which probably influenced his opinion of Nero.
@ Tacitus was a senator of the Roman Empire, as well as the son-in-law of Roman general Agricola, which probably influenced his opinion of Nero.
*a. senator
b. emperor
c. enemy
d. consul

6. Due to Tacitus's position in the Roman Empire, one could infer that he felt _____ for Nero.
~ Due to Tacitus's position in the Roman Empire, one could infer that he felt contempt for Nero. The Roman Senate and Emperor are not usually depicted as being friendly toward one another.
@ Due to Tacitus's position in the Roman Empire, one could infer that he felt contempt for Nero. The Roman Senate and Emperor are not usually depicted as being friendly toward one another.
a. a romantic interest
b. a lack of any bias
*c. contempt
d. devotion

7. Book XV states: "Nero, who polluted himself by every lawful or lawless indulgence, had not omitted a single abomination which could heighten his depravity." This line suggests that Tacitus thought Nero's "depravity":
~ Book XV states: "Nero, who polluted himself by every lawful or lawless indulgence, had not omitted a single abomination which could heighten his depravity." This line suggests that Tacitus thought Nero's "depravity" damaged the state. Tacitus considered public virtue to enhance or damage the strength of the state.
@ Book XV states: "Nero, who polluted himself by every lawful or lawless indulgence, had not omitted a single abomination which could heighten his depravity." This line suggests that Tacitus thought Nero's "depravity" damaged the state. Tacitus considered public virtue to enhance or damage the strength of the state.
a. improved the state.
*b. damaged the state.
c. caused the stagnation of the state.
d. were a hot topic of debate in the forum. 

8. Based on the reading and knowing Tacitus's approach to history, it could be argued that bias is 
~ Based on the reading and knowing Tacitus's approach to history, it could be argued that bias is difficult to keep out of historical writing.
@ Based on the reading and knowing Tacitus's approach to history, it could be argued that bias is difficult to keep out of historical writing.
a. limited only to Greek historians.
b. an easy-to-control pest in historical writing. 
c. a concept without true meaning.
*d. difficult to keep out of historical writing. 

9. Tacitus states that ______ caused the great fire of Rome.
~ Tacitus states that unknown factors caused the great fire of Rome. Tacitus acknowledges that authors have given differing explanations.
@ Tacitus states that unknown factors caused the great fire of Rome. Tacitus acknowledges that authors have given differing explanations.
a. Nero's desire to clear space to build himself a mansion.
*b. unknown factors
c. the Christians.
d. nature.

10. A difference between Roman and Greek historiography is
~ A difference between Roman and Greek historiography is the motive forces behind historical change. The Greeks such as Herodotus focused on the role of leaders/heroes, while some Romans such as Tacitus or Livy focused on the role of public virtue.
@ A difference between Roman and Greek historiography is the motive forces behind historical change. The Greeks such as Herodotus focused on the role of leaders/heroes, while some Romans such as Tacitus or Livy focused on the role of public virtue.
*a. the motive forces behind historical change.
b. the importance of an exciting story. 
c. the causes behind history's natural cycles.
d. the influence of Christianity. 