Answer :
The text evidence that supports Machiavelli's secondary purpose to inform readers about the tactics Sparta and Rome used to hold cities and their effectiveness are as follows:
1. The description of how Sparta had held Greece: This part of the passage explains how the Spartans held Athens and Thebes by establishing an oligarchy but ultimately lost control. This showcases the tactic used by Sparta and highlights its effectiveness or lack thereof in maintaining power over cities.
2. The explanation of why Rome dismantled Greek cities: The passage mentions that the Romans dismantled cities like Capua, Carthage, and Numantia in order to hold them, unlike the Spartans who lost control. This demonstrates Rome's strategy of dismantling cities to maintain power and emphasizes the effectiveness of this approach.
3. The characterization of liberty as a "watchword" of rebellion: By characterizing liberty as a rallying point for rebellion in cities accustomed to freedom, Machiavelli highlights the importance of understanding and controlling this concept to maintain authority over cities. This sheds light on the tactics used by both Sparta and Rome to handle cities with a strong sense of liberty.
These points from the passage provide insight into the tactics employed by Sparta and Rome to hold cities, illustrating their effectiveness or failures in maintaining control and shedding light on the significance of liberty in the context of governance and control.