Machiavelli, a political genius, paves a path for us to understand the logic on how to build a successful Republic or bring a Republic to ruin. Machiavelli seems to be neutral on his logic, by this I mean he does not side with only good or bad intentions. He clears this path so anyone can come in and take a Republic and mold it to their liking. The principality, aristocrats, and the popular are good for the republic, but almost inescapably turn wicked. This wickedness caused the decemvirate to form
Niccolò Machiavelli is very well known as an important and influential Italian historian, politician, philosopher, and writer during the Renaissance. His book, Discourses on Livy, is a discussion regarding the classical history of early Ancient Rome, although it uses contemporary political examples and strays far away from the subject of Rome at times. It is presented as a series of lessons on how a republic should be started and structured. Most importantly, it constantly brings up the idea of corruption
on politics. Machiavelli also wrote Discourses on Livy, which gives a very different view of the political world and Francis Bacon wrote about the reign of Henry VII. Each of these manuscripts focuses on the different traits that a prince ought to have, their views on how to gain political power, and their political philosophies. In The Prince, Machiavelli believes that the key to power is a combination of fear and love; in the Discourses on Livy, he writes that knowledge of the past is important
believed that when people read Livy, they took “infinitely more pleasure in knowing the variety of incidents that are contained in [Livy’s writings], without ever thinking of imitating them.” In other words, Livy’s account of Rome was more of a glorified fairytale which no one could possibly use as a reference for solving current problems so he decided to write a commentary explaining what he believed to be the real reasons for the rise (and fall) of Rome. Both Livy and Machi...
Titus Livius also known as Livy is a roman analyst who was born in 59BC. Livy writing style is known for engaging the attention of an audience. He accomplishes this through emotive descriptions and long speeches. It is commonly known that Livy sacrifices chronology and ignores contradictory versions of events in or to make Rome seem victorious. Livy’s standard of writing was not always high and there where most likely political influences on Livy even though he played no official part in politics
Any examination of women in Livy’s writing demands not only a literal interpretation of their character development and values, but also must account for their symbolic importance—thus creating a much more complex representation. Livy, an ancient historian, authored The Early History of Rome to be an exploration of Rome from its foundation, focusing on historical events and societal organization. In it, he examines the patriarchal society that stabilized Rome throughout its dominance. However, as
Introduction “Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.” Machiavelli’s quote from Discourses of Livy manages to succinctly describe our current social and political world. Founded on colonialization and violence, the term ‘the west’ promotes the idea of certain values and concepts which make it superior to ‘the east’. I argue that the concept us ‘us versus them’, particularly when linked with the Western Ideology, justifies
main influence of the tale was the Roman de la Rose (Romance of the Rose) which was written by Guillaume de Lorris and finished by Jean de Meung. Both Guillaume and Meung referred to the historical story written by the Roman author Titus Livius, or Livy, for their source. It was said that the tale was probably unrevised because it contained many confusions and contradictions. Because of those confusions, the doctor of the Canterbury group didn’t receive many praises for his story. The two main characters
have the record of the infinite variety of human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that record you can find for yourself both examples and warnings: fine things to take as models, base things, rotten through and through to avoid.” (Livy 34). Herodotus lived centuries before Livy’s time, but fits Livy’s view of the historian’s job remarkably well, with only a few minor discrepancies. The anecdotal nature of The Histories lends itself well to stories of morality, to give its audience
emulating history in order to repeat success than looking out for particular things to avoid. For this reason, he pulls examples from an eclectic range of histories in order to demonstrate how his principles in both The Prince and the Discourses on Livy, when followed, will lead to a successful state. In particular, he refers to the Roman Republic a great deal in the Discourses, which are focused around Livy's account of Rome's history, to demonstrate what about this ancient society was so unique
(Billot, 2009) Primarily, Livy aimed to document and analyze significant historical events for posterity, thus seeking to preserve the memory of Rome’s past for future generations. Livy also sought to impart moral and political lessons through his historical narratives. For instance, his use of historical figures like Hannibal and the Romans, significantly
restore the crown to their maternal grandfather Numitor. It was only after that incident that Remus and Romulus then returned to the tiber in hopes of founding a new settlement. Livy describes this as the twins being “seized by an urge to found a new settlement on the spot where they had been left to drown as infants” (Livy, 1.5). The Roman river symbolized the beginning of their lives, and suitably, the beginning of their great Roman Empire. It is very fitting that the story of the founding of Rome
Hobbes and Niccolo Machiavelli, two prominent philosophers that engaged in this discussion, held strikingly different views about the relationship between individual interests and the preservation of civic order. Machiavelli in his work, Discourses on Livy, expand the scope of the argument, stating that public interests are critical to the establishment, organization, and preservation
Reconfiguring Knowledge and Reimagining Gendered Space” in Christine de Pizan: A Casebook edited by Barbra K. Altman and Deborah L. McGrady, New York: Routledge, 2003. 5. Niccolo Machiavelli, Selected Political Writings: The Prince and The Discourses on Livy, Hackett Publishing Company, 1994. 6. Anthony Parel. The Machiavellian Cosmos, New Haven: Yale Press, 1992. 7. Christine de Pizan, The Book of the City of Ladies, Translated by Earl Jefferey Richards, New York: Persea Boooks, 1982. 8. John Plamenatz
quoted in J. R. Hale, Renaissance Europe 1480-1520 p. 309 11. Hale p. 308 12. Macaulay. Ibid. 13. Whitfield, J. H. Big Words, Exact Meanings. 14. Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. [trans. Sir David Ross] 15. Machiavelli. Discourses on Livy Ch XXVII, Project Gutenberg Internet Edition
Livy and Tacitus were very similar about their writing styles. Livy used the history of Rome to write one of many books called the History of Rome. Tacitus used his knowledge about Rome to write many books about the history of Rome. The comparison of Livy and Tacitus in history, through their writing and positions held on the government of the time period. Titus Livius Patavinus or better known as Livy was born in 64 AD in northern Italy now known as Padua, this is where he lived until his late
successful defense and military forces, as well as qualities which would make for the most desirable prince. Machiavelli also brings to attention the pitfalls of previous Italian princes as to prevent the same mistakes from reoccurring. In The Discourses on Livy Machiavelli discusses things that were currently happening within Rome as a result of the public council, the decision made by the Roman people in an attempt to increase the empire, as well as the actions made by select men which made Rome a successful
Summary # 1: In Aristotle, Book VII, Chapter 2, Aristotle illustrates what are the characteristics of an ideal city. Aristotle starts by making a comparison between a city and human what they need to be happy. He states that for both they need internal virtue in order to have happiness. The man focus of Aristotle in this chapter is all about what is the most worthy way of life and which regime is the best. The dilemma starts off with the dispute between who assert that the policial or active life
Niccolo Machiavelli was a fifteenth century diplomat and historian. Born in Florence in 1469, he lived during a turbulent time in Italy’s history when the division and rivalry between city-states made Italy vulnerable to external powers such as France and Spain. Although he created many other works such as plays and poems, his most famous work is perhaps The Prince. Machiavelli is primarily remembered for his political works and is known as the father of modern political thinking (Monte, 2013;
In many ways, it is fair to say that the United States of America is the new Rome, as described by Machiavelli. Throughout both The Prince and The Discourses on Livy, Machiavelli uses Rome and Roman leaders as a point of comparison to other leaders and nations. Machiavelli seems to consider Rome to be an example of his ideal nation. The similarities between Rome and America would lead to Machiavelli having much praise for America. The similarities between America and Rome manifest themselves both