Discourses on LivyThe strategies Machiavelli developed and endorsed in The Prince made his name an enduring synonym for the ruthless acquisition and use of power. Discourses on Livy, published in 1531, is equally essential to an understanding of political theory. Both treatises compare the government of ancient Rome to that of the Italian Renaissance. The Prince, however, offers advice on maintaining a monarchy; with Discourses, Machiavelli considers the structure and benefits of a republic. Inspired by Titus Livy's monumental history of Rome, Machiavelli discusses the internal structure of a republic, methods of conducting warfare, and the defining qualities of individual leadership. His explorations of the concept of checks and balances, the strength of a tripartite structure, and the superiority of a republic to a principality keep this book as relevant today as it was five centuries ago. |
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advantage afterwards already ancient Appius appointed Arezzo arms artillery attack authority battle Cæsar Camillus Campanians captain Carthaginians cause CHAPTER citizens command commons commonwealth conspiracy conspirators consuls contrary contrived corrupted course danger decemvirs defeat defend deprived desire disorders enemy engage escape Etruria Etruscans evil example Fabius favour fear Florence Florentines followed force fortresses fortune freedom gain Gauls give hands Hannibal happened honours hurtful instance Italy king kingdom Latins laws less live Lombardy maintain Manlius matter methods minds never nobles occasion once ordinances pass peace Philip of Macedon Piero Soderini Pisa prince province prudent punishment reason religion republic resolved Roman army Roman Republic Rome ruin rulers Samnites Scipio seek seen senate sent soldiers sought Sparta speak strength subjects Swiss Tarquins things tion Titus Livius town tribunes tyrant Valerius valour Veientines Veii Venetians Venice victory Volscians wherein whole wise