Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2
Niccolò Machiavelli
Play
Length 4 h 39 min
Chapters 33
First published 1883
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
Chapters
1
Preface Read by merendo07 8:35
2
CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom Read by merendo07 14:51
3
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 Read by merendo07 4:29
4
CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power Read by merendo07 11:39
5
CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past. Read by jenno 6:18
6
CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War. Read by jenno 6:28
7
CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist. Read by jenno 2:18
8
CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others. Read by jenno 10:20
9
CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States. Read by jenno 4:46
10
CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War. Read by jenno 9:58
11
CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength. Read by merendo07 3:00
12
CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it. Read by merendo07 10:06
13
CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force. Read by merendo07 4:57
14
CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility. Read by merendo07 3:39
15
CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful. Read by merendo07 7:13
16
CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare. Read by TerribleTy27 10:33
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. Read by George Allen 13:18
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. Read by Rita Boutros 12:57
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. Read by Rita Boutros 11:54
20
CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms. Read by Rita Boutros 5:49
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. Read by merendo07 5:44
22
CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss. Read by merendo07 6:47
23
CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures. Read by merendo07 9:58
24
CHAPTER XXIV. That, commonly, Fortresses do much more Harm than Good Read by jenno 21:17
25
CHAPTER XXV. That he who attacks a City divided against itself, must not think to get possession of it through its Divisions. Read by jenno 5:03
26
CHAPTER XXVI. That Taunts and Abuse breed Hatred against him who uses them, without yielding him any Advantage. Read by jenno 5:22
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. Read by jenno 8:52
28
CHAPTER XXVIII. That to neglect the redress of Grievances, whether public or private, is dangerous for a Prince or Commonwealth. Read by jenno 5:19
29
CHAPTER XXIX. That Fortune obscures the minds of Men when she would not have them hinder her Designs. Read by jenno 8:14
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. Read by jenno 10:50
31
CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Danger of trusting banished Men. Read by jenno 4:21
32
CHAPTER XXXII. In how many Ways the Romans gained Possession of Towns. Read by jenno 10:10
33
CHAPTER XXXIII. That the Romans intrusted the Captains of their Armies with the fullest Powers. Read by jenno 5:23
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens gutenberg.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
