- Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2
-
Niccolò Machiavelli
Download the book
In "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius", posthumous work by the author of The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the useful lessons that could be learnt from the past for the present. As the title mentions, the subject of the work is the first ten books of Livy's Ab urbe condita, which cover the expansion of Rome from the legendary monarchy of Romulus to the end of the Third Samnite War (293 BCE). The whole work contains three books, with 142 numbered chapters - perhaps not a coincidence, since Livy's history also contained 142 books. In the second book, the author discusses decisions made by the Roman people pertaining to the increase of its empire.
-
- Chapters
- Preface
- CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune
- CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom
- CHAPTER III. That Rome became great by destroying the Cities which lay round about her, and by readily admitting strangers to the rights of Citizenship
- CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power
- CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past.
- CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War.
- CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist.
- CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others.
- CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States.
- CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War.
- CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength.
- CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it.
- CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force.
- CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility.
- CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful.
- CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare.
- CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just.
- CHAPTER XVIII. That the authority of the Romans and the example of ancient Warfare should make us hold Foot Soldiers of more account than Horse.
- CHAPTER XIX. That Acquisitions made by ill-governed States and such as follow not the valiant methods of the Romans, tend rather to their Ruin than to their Aggrandizement.
- CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms.
- CHAPTER XXI. That Capua was the first City to which the Romans sent a Prætor; nor there, until four hundred years after they began to make War.
- CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss.
- CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures.
- CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good
- CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions.
- CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage.
- CHAPTER XXVII.That prudent Princes and Republics should be content to have obtained a Victory; for, commonly, when they are not, theft-Victory turns to Defeat.
- CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth.
- CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs.
- CHAPTER XXX. That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess.
- CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men.
- CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns.
- CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers.
-