Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 3


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In "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius", posthumous work by the author of The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the useful lessons that could be learnt from the past for the present. As the title mentions, the subject of the work is the first ten books of Livy's Ab urbe condita, which cover the expansion of Rome from the legendary monarchy of Romulus to the end of the Third Samnite War (293 BCE). The whole work contains three books, with 142 numbered chapters - perhaps not a coincidence, since Livy's history also contained 142 books. In the third book, the author discusses how the actions of particular men made Rome great. - Summary by Leni (5 hr 47 min)

Chapters

CHAPTER I.—For a Sect or Commonwealth to last long, it must often be brought ba… 11:29 Read by Josh Kibbey
CHAPTER II.—That on occasion it is wise to feign Folly. 3:59 Read by Josh Kibbey
CHAPTER III.—That to preserve a newly acquired Freedom we must slay the Sons of… 3:43 Read by Josh Kibbey
CHAPTER IV.—That an Usurper is never safe in his Princedom while those live who… 2:43 Read by Josh Kibbey
CHAPTER V.—How an Hereditary King may come to lose his Kingdom. 3:53 Read by Josh Kibbey
CHAPTER VI.—Of Conspiracies. 55:43 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER VII.—Why it is that changes from Freedom to Servitude, and from Servitu… 2:24 Read by Josh Kibbey
CHAPTER VIII.—That he who would effect Changes in a Commonwealth, must give hee… 8:21 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER IX.—That to enjoy constant good Fortune we must change with the Times. 6:33 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER X.—That a Captain cannot escape Battle when his Enemy forces it on him … 11:20 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XI.—That one who has to contend with many, though he be weaker than the… 6:19 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XII.—A prudent Captain will do what he can to make it necessary for his… 9:54 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XIII.—Whether we may trust more to a valiant Captain with a weak Army, … 5:57 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XIV.—Of the effect produced in Battle by strange and unexpected Sights … 7:49 Read by Linda Johnson
CHAPTER XV.—That one and not many should head an Army: and why it is harmful to… 4:55 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XVI.—That in Times of Difficulty true Worth is sought after; whereas in… 7:52 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XVII.—That we are not to offend a Man, and then send him to fill an imp… 3:30 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XVIII.—That it is the highest Quality of a Captain to be able to forest… 7:29 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XIX.—Whether Indulgence or Severity be more necessary for controlling a… 4:12 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XX.—How one humane act availed more with the men of Falerii, than all t… 3:47 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XXI.—How it happened that Hannibal pursuing a course contrary to that t… 7:32 Read by Linda Johnson
Chapter XXII.—That the severity of Manlius Torquatus and the gentleness of Vale… 15:08 Read by Linda Johnson
CHAPTER XXIII.—Why Camillus was banished from Rome. 3:39 Read by Linda Johnson
CHAPTER XXIV.—That prolonged Commands brought Rome to Servitude. 4:38 Read by Linda Johnson
CHAPTER XXV.—_Of the poverty of Cincinnatus and of many other Roman Citizens. 6:03 Read by Linda Johnson
CHAPTER XXVI.—How Women are a cause of the ruin of States. 3:58 Read by Mayah
CHAPTER XXVII.-- How a divided City may be reunited, and how it is a false opin… 7:27 Read by Kassie Yang
CHAPTER XXVIII. - That a Republic must keep an eye on what its Citizens are ab… 4:59 Read by Kassie Yang
CHAPTER XXIX.—That the Faults of a People are due to its Prince. 4:12 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XXX.—That a Citizen who seeks by his personal influence to render signa… 9:21 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XXXI.—That strong Republics and valiant Men preserve through every chan… 10:28 Read by Rita Boutros
CHAPTER XXXII.—Of the methods which some have used to make Peace impossible. 4:33 Read by Shasta
CHAPTER XXXIII.—That to insure victory in battle you must inspire your Men with… 8:05 Read by Shasta
CHAPTER XXXIV.—By what reports, rumours, or surmises the Citizens of a Republic… 13:01 Read by Shasta
CHAPTER XXXV.—Of the Danger incurred in being the first to recommend new Measur… 8:54 Read by Shasta
CHAPTER XXXVI.—Why it has been and still may be affirmed of the Gauls, that at … 7:45 Read by Shasta
CHAPTER XXXVII.—Whether a general engagement should be preceded by skirmishes; … 8:32 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XXXVIII.—Of the Qualities of a Captain in whom his Soldiers can confide. 4:30 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XXXIX.—That a Captain should have good knowledge of Places. 6:31 Read by Maria de Fátima da Silva
CHAPTER XL.—That Fraud is fair in War. 3:50 Read by Kristine Bekere
CHAPTER XLI.—That our Country is to be defended by Honour or by Dishonour; and … 3:31 Read by Kristine Bekere
CHAPTER XLII.—That Promises made on Compulsion are not to be observed. 3:40 Read by Kristine Bekere
CHAPTER XLIII.—That Men born in the same Province retain through all Times near… 5:33 Read by Kristine Bekere
CHAPTER XLIV.—That where ordinary methods fail, Hardihood and Daring often succ… 5:28 Read by Kristine Bekere
CHAPTER XLV.—Whether in battle it is better to await and repel the Enemy's atta… 2:09 Read by merendo07
CHAPTER XLVI.—How the Characteristics of Families come to be perpetuated. 2:39 Read by merendo07
CHAPTER XLVII.—That love of his Country should lead a good Citizen to forget pr… 1:34 Read by merendo07
CHAPTER XLVIII.—That on finding an Enemy make what seems a grave blunder, we sh… 3:20 Read by merendo07
CHAPTER XLIX.—That a Commonwealth to preserve its Freedom has constant need of … 4:43 Read by merendo07