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 name
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
Othe 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
the example of the Florentines losing control over
Pisa

In Machiavelli's passage from chapter 5 of The Prince, he argues that a conquering prince must destroy a former republic to hold it. Three pieces of text evidence that support this argument are:

1. The explanation of how Rome held Capua, Carthage, and Numantia: Machiavelli highlights that the Romans were able to maintain control over these cities by dismantling them. This action prevented rebellion and ensured their continued dominance.

2. The description of liberty as a rallying cry for rebellion in former republics: Machiavelli asserts that once a city accustomed to freedom is conquered and not destroyed, it becomes a breeding ground for rebellion. The concept of liberty serves as a powerful motivator for the city's inhabitants to resist foreign rule.

3. The portrayal of Greece as being held by Sparta: By comparing the Spartans' failure to retain control over Athens and Thebes despite establishing an oligarchy with the Romans' success in holding territories through destruction, Machiavelli emphasizes the necessity of decisive action in maintaining power.

These examples illustrate Machiavelli's argument that to effectively rule over a former republic, a conquering prince must take drastic measures, such as destruction, to ensure long-term stability and prevent uprisings based on ideals of liberty and independence.