Read this passage from chapter 5 of The Prince.
But when cities or countries are accustomed to live
under
a prince, and his family is exterminated, they
being
on the one hand accustomed to obey and on the
other hand not having the old prince, cannot agree in
making one from amongst themselves, and they do not
know how to govern themselves. For this reason they
are very slow to take up arms, and a prince can gain
them to himself and secure them much more easily. But
in republics there is more vitality, greater hatred, and
more desire for vengeance, which will never permit them
to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest; so that
the safest way is to destroy them or to reside there.
What is Machiavelli's primary purpose in writing this
passage?
Oto inform readers about the differences between
principalities and republics
to entertain readers with exciting stories of historical
wars, conquests, and rebellions
to convince readers that, to hold a conquered
republic, a prince must ruin it or live there
to persuade readers that a prince must eradicate the
royal family of a conquered principality