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Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

English· 04:39:18· 34 chapters

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

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Chapters

Chapter 1
Preface
08:35
Chapter 2
CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune
08:50
Chapter 3
CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom
14:51
Chapter 4
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
04:29
Chapter 5
CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power
11:39
Chapter 6
CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past.
06:18
Chapter 7
CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War.
06:28
Chapter 8
CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist.
02:18
Chapter 9
CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others.
10:20
Chapter 10
CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States.
04:46
Chapter 11
CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War.
09:58
Chapter 12
CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength.
03:00
Chapter 13
CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it.
10:06
Chapter 14
CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force.
04:57
Chapter 15
CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility.
03:39
Chapter 16
CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful.
07:13
Chapter 17
CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare.
10:33
Chapter 18
CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just.
13:18
Chapter 19
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.
12:57
Chapter 20
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.
11:54
Chapter 21
CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms.
05:49
Chapter 22
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.
05:44
Chapter 23
CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss.
06:47
Chapter 24
CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures.
09:58
Chapter 25
CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good
21:17
Chapter 26
CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions.
05:03
Chapter 27
CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage.
05:22
Chapter 28
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.
08:52
Chapter 29
CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth.
05:19
Chapter 30
CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs.
08:14
Chapter 31
CHAPTER XXX. That really powerful Princes and, Commonwealths do not buy Friendships with Money, but with their Valour and the Fame of their Prowess.
10:50
Chapter 32
CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men.
04:21
Chapter 33
CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns.
10:10
Chapter 34
CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers.
05:23

Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2

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.