Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livy

Methodology and Conclusions

In «Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livy», Niccolò Machiavelli employs a historical-analytical method, analyzing events and deeds from ancient Roman history as described by Titus Livy. Machiavelli examines political and military aspects, drawing lessons for the present. He investigates the reasons for the successes and failures of the Romans, concluding on the nature of power, political institutions, and human behavior. Machiavelli's main conclusions are that the stability and prosperity of a state depend on the virtue and wisdom of its rulers, as well as the citizens' ability to self-govern and maintain public order. He emphasizes the importance of strong and just laws, as well as the necessity of constant readiness for defense and expansion of the state's influence.