Read this passage from chapter 5 of The Prince
There are, for example, the Spartans and the
Romans. The Spartans held Athens and Thebes,
establishing there an oligarchy: nevertheless they lost
them. The Romans, in order to hold Capua, Carthage,
and Numantia, dismantled them, and did not lose
them. They wished to hold Greece as the Spartans
held it, making it free and permitting its laws, and did
not succeed. So to hold it they were compelled to
dismantle many cities in the country, for in truth there
is no safe way to retain them otherwise than by ruining
them. And he who becomes master of a city
accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it, may
expect to be destroyed by it, for in rebellion it has
always the watchword of liberty and its ancient
privileges as a rallying point, which neither time nor
benefits will ever cause it to forget. And whatever you
may do or provide against, they never forget that
What text evidence supports Machiavelli's primary
purpose to persuade readers that a conquering prince
must destroy a former republic if he hopes to hold
it? Select three options.
the list of cities Rome and Sparta conquered
the portrayal of Greece as being held by Sparta
the explanation of how Rome held Capua,
Carthage, and Numantia
the description of liberty as a rallying cry for
rebellion in former republics
Othe example of the Florentines losing control over
Pisa
and Evit
Next
Submit