Publisher's Synopsis
Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius is a book written by Niccolo Machiavelli, an Italian philosopher and writer, in the early 16th century. The book is a commentary on the first ten books of the Roman historian Titus Livius' work, Ab Urbe Condita, which covers the history of Rome from its founding to the end of the Republic. Machiavelli's Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius is divided into three parts, each of which contains several chapters. In the first part, Machiavelli discusses the importance of history, the nature of republics, and the virtues necessary for a republic to thrive. He argues that a republic must have a strong sense of civic virtue, which includes a willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the common good. In the second part, Machiavelli analyzes the rise and fall of various Roman leaders, such as Romulus, Numa Pompilius, and Tarquin the Proud. He uses these examples to illustrate his ideas about the qualities of good leaders and the dangers of tyranny. Machiavelli argues that a leader must be both virtuous and strong, and that a republic must have a system of checks and balances to prevent any one person from becoming too powerful. In the third part, Machiavelli discusses the role of religion and the importance of military strength in a republic. He argues that religion can be a useful tool for maintaining social order, but that it can also be a source of conflict if it is used to justify violence or oppression. He also emphasizes the importance of a strong military in defending a republic against external threats. Overall, Machiavelli's Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius is a treatise on the principles of republican government and the virtues necessary for its success. It is a thought-provoking work that continues to be studied and debated by scholars and political thinkers today.We should, therefore, be careful how we censure the government of Rome, and should reflect that all the great results effected by that republic, could not have come about without good cause. And if the popular tumults led the creation of the tribunes, they merit all praise; since these magistrates not only gave its due influence to the popular voice in the government, but also acted as the guardians of Roman freedom, as shall be clearly shown in the following Chapter.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
