Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

About this 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. - Summary by Leni

Chapters (33)

1CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune

530

2CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom

891

3CHAPTER III. That Rome became great by destroying the Cities which lay round about her, and by readily admitting strangers to the rights of Citizenship

269

4CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power

699

5CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past.

378

6CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War.

388

7CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist.

138

8CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others.

620

9CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States.

286

10CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War.

598

11CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength.

180

12CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it.

606

13CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force.

297

14CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility.

219

15CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful.

433

16CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare.

633

17CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just.

798

18CHAPTER XVIII. That the authority of the Romans and the example of ancient Warfare should make us hold Foot Soldiers of more account than Horse.

777

19CHAPTER 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.

714

20CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms.

349

21CHAPTER 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.

344

22CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss.

407

23CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures.

598

24CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good

1277

25CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions.

303

26CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage.

322

27CHAPTER 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.

532

28CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth.

319

29CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs.

494

30CHAPTER XXX. That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess.

650

31CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men.

261

32CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns.

610

33CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers.

323

About this book

Chapters (33)

1CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune

530

2CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom

891

3CHAPTER III. That Rome became great by destroying the Cities which lay round about her, and by readily admitting strangers to the rights of Citizenship

269

4CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power

699

5CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past.

378

6CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War.

388

7CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist.

138

8CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others.

620

9CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States.

286

10CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War.

598

11CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength.

180

12CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it.

606

13CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force.

297

14CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility.

219

15CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful.

433

16CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare.

633

17CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just.

798

18CHAPTER XVIII. That the authority of the Romans and the example of ancient Warfare should make us hold Foot Soldiers of more account than Horse.

777

19CHAPTER 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.

714

20CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms.

349

21CHAPTER 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.

344

22CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss.

407

23CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures.

598

24CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good

1277

25CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions.

303

26CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage.

322

27CHAPTER 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.

532

28CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth.

319

29CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs.

494

30CHAPTER XXX. That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess.

650

31CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men.

261

32CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns.

610

33CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers.

323

Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

About this book

Chapters (33)

Comments

Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

About this book

Chapters (33)

Comments