Quiz for Document Project 5: Technological Warfare

1. Question

   According to Plutarch, mechanics was part of what larger field (see Document 5.1)?

   A.

   The military arts

   B.

   Geometry

   C.

   The liberal arts

   D.

   Natural philosophy

   Correct: The answer is a. As Plutarch described the development of mechanics, the contempt of men like Plato for material things led to the separation of mechanics from geometry and its inclusion among the military arts.

   Incorrect: The answer is a. As Plutarch described the development of mechanics, the contempt of men like Plato for material things led to the separation of mechanics from geometry and its inclusion among the military arts.

   According to Plutarch, mechanics was part of what larger field (see Document 5.1)?

2. Question

   In Polybius’s account (see Document 5.2), what conclusion did the Romans draw from their initial efforts to take Syracuse?

   A.

   That a direct assault would fail as long as Archimedes was in charge

   B.

   That they were the victims of foul play and unmanly conduct

   C.

   That it would require a much larger force for a direct assault to succeed

   D.

   That their commanders were unfit for the task assigned them

   Correct: The answer is a. According to Polybius, at Syracuse the Romans learned the lesson that “in certain circumstances, the genius of one man is more effective than any numbers whatever.”

   Incorrect: The answer is a. According to Polybius, at Syracuse the Romans learned the lesson that “in certain circumstances, the genius of one man is more effective than any numbers whatever.”

   In Polybius’s account (see Document 5.2), what conclusion did the Romans draw from their initial efforts to take Syracuse?

3. Question

   Which of the following powers did Dio attribute to Archimedes’s inventions (see Document 5.3)?

   A.

   The power to melt metal at a great distance

   B.

   The power to deprive men of their courage

   C.

   The power to incinerate whole fleets

   D.

   The power to deflect any missile

   Correct: The answer is c. According to Dio, Archimedes constructed a series of mirrors capable of reducing a warship to ashes at a great distance.

   Incorrect: The answer is c. According to Dio, Archimedes constructed a series of mirrors capable of reducing a warship to ashes at a great distance.

   Which of the following powers did Dio attribute to Archimedes’s inventions (see Document 5.3)?

4. Question

   According to Plutarch, how did Marcellus view the killing of Archimedes (see Document 5.4)?

   A.

   As essentially unimportant

   B.

   As a mighty blow for Rome

   C.

   As a sacred act

   D.

   As an act of sacrilege

   Correct: The answer is d. Marcellus’s remorse at the death of the great thinker was meant to reflect well on the Roman commander, suggesting that he was not motivated by greed or anger, but rather by a desire to carry out his responsibilities to the Roman people.

   Incorrect: The answer is d. Marcellus’s remorse at the death of the great thinker was meant to reflect well on the Roman commander, suggesting that he was not motivated by greed or anger, but rather by a desire to carry out his responsibilities to the Roman people.

   According to Plutarch, how did Marcellus view the killing of Archimedes (see Document 5.4)?