Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527)
Translated by Ninian Hill Thomson (1830 - )

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

Genre(s): Political Science, Early Modern

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Preface merendo07
00:08:35
Play 01 CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune merendo07
00:08:50
Play 02 CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom merendo07
00:14:51
Play 03 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 merendo07
00:04:29
Play 04 CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power merendo07
00:11:39
Play 05 CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past. jenno
00:06:18
Play 06 CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War. jenno
00:06:28
Play 07 CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist. jenno
00:02:18
Play 08 CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others. jenno
00:10:20
Play 09 CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States. jenno
00:04:46
Play 10 CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War. jenno
00:09:58
Play 11 CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength. merendo07
00:03:00
Play 12 CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it. merendo07
00:10:06
Play 13 CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force. merendo07
00:04:57
Play 14 CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility. merendo07
00:03:39
Play 15 CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful. merendo07
00:07:13
Play 16 CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare. TerribleTy27
00:10:33
Play 17 CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just. George Allen
00:13:18
Play 18 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. Rita Boutros
00:12:57
Play 19 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. Rita Boutros
00:11:54
Play 20 CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms. Rita Boutros
00:05:49
Play 21 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. merendo07
00:05:44
Play 22 CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss. merendo07
00:06:47
Play 23 CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures. merendo07
00:09:58
Play 24 CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good jenno
00:21:17
Play 25 CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions. jenno
00:05:03
Play 26 CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage. jenno
00:05:22
Play 27 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. jenno
00:08:52
Play 28 CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth. jenno
00:05:19
Play 29 CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs. jenno
00:08:14
Play 30 CHAPTER XXX. That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess. jenno
00:10:50
Play 31 CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men. jenno
00:04:21
Play 32 CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns. jenno
00:10:10
Play 33 CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers. jenno
00:05:23