Discourses on Livy
Also known as Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio, Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livius
Niccolò Machiavelli's lessons on founding and keeping a republic, drawn from Livy's history of Rome.
At a glance
Key ideas
The cycle of governments, A founder acts alone, "Kill the sons of Brutus" …
See all 5Reception
Francesco Guicciardini
Connections
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Machiavelli uses the first ten books of Livy's History of Rome to draw lessons on how a republic should be started and structured.
- He also draws on other eras, including the politics of his own day.
- He presents the ancient Romans as models, but sees political greatness as coming and going among peoples in cycles.
- The book argues more openly than The Prince for the advantages of republics.
Why it matters
- It is said to have paved the way for modern republicanism, and Rousseau thought it closer to Machiavelli's true philosophy than The Prince.
Key facts
- Author
- Niccolò Machiavelli1
- Written
- c. 15171
- Published
- 1531, after his death, with papal privilege1
- Structure
- A dedication letter and three books with 142 numbered chapters1
- Dedicated to
- His friends Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai1
Key ideas
-
The cycle of governments1
Monarchy, aristocracy and democracy decay into tyranny, oligarchy and anarchy; Rome mixed all three to check each other.
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A founder acts alone1
A republic's founder must take absolute power; he excuses Romulus for killing Remus for the common good.
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"Kill the sons of Brutus"1
A newly freed state must make violent examples of the enemies of the free regime.
-
Emergency powers1
Rome's constitutional office of Dictator let it act quickly in a crisis and then retire the power.
-
The multitude1
The multitude is wiser than one prince.
Reception
-
Francesco Guicciardini1
His friend wrote critical notes on it, finding many recommendations too violent.
Connections
Written by
Links
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