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.

A. The list of cities Rome and Sparta conquered
B. The portrayal of Greece as being held by Sparta
C. The explanation of how Rome held Capua, Carthage, and Numantia
D. The description of liberty as a rallying cry for rebellion in former republics
E. The example of the Florentines losing control over Pisa



Answer :

Final answer:

Text evidence supports Machiavelli's argument that a conquering prince must destroy a former republic to hold it.


Explanation:

Text evidence supporting Machiavelli's primary purpose to persuade readers that a conquering prince must destroy a former republic if he hopes to hold it includes:

  1. The portrayal of Greece as being held by Sparta, demonstrating the challenges of holding a territory accustomed to freedom.
  2. The description of liberty as a rallying cry for rebellion in former republics, indicating the potential risks of not dismantling a free city upon conquest.
  3. The example of the Florentines losing control over Pisa, showcasing the consequences of not following the tactic of destroying a conquered republic.

Learn more about Machiavelli's argument on conquering and holding former republics here:

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