Author Description
Discourses on Livy (1531) is as essential to an understanding of Machiavelli as his famous treatise, The Prince. Equally controversial, it reveals his fundamental preference for a republican state. Comparing the practice of the ancient Romans with that of his contemporaries provided Machiavelli with a consistent point of view in all his works. Machiavelli's close analysis of Livy's history of Rome led him to advance his most original and outspoken view of politics - the belief that a healthy body politic was characterized by social friction and conflict rather than by rigid stability. His discussion of conspiracies in Discourses on Livy is one of the most sophisticated treatments of archetypal political upheaval every written. In an age of increasing political absolutism, Machiavelli's theories became a dangerous ideology. This new translation is richly annotated, providing the contemporary reader with sufficient historical, linguistic, and political information to understand and interpret the revolutionary affirmations Machiavelli made, based on the historical evidence he found in Livy. The complete Livy in English, available in five volumes from Oxford World's Classics. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the core question of how the structural stability and longevity of a republic can be maintained through the study of historical political precedents. Niccolò Machiavelli, a prominent Florentine diplomat and political theorist, utilizes the historical accounts of Titus Livy to construct a framework for republican governance. He argues that a healthy state is not defined by static order, but by the productive management of social friction and political conflict. By contrasting ancient Roman practices with the political realities of the Renaissance, Machiavelli establishes a methodology for analyzing power dynamics and institutional health.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of Roman history as a blueprint for modern statecraft
- Theoretical exploration of political conspiracies and upheaval
- Examination of the relationship between social conflict and republican liberty
- Scholarly annotations providing historical and linguistic context
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a comprehensive history of Rome independent of Machiavelli's political agenda
- Does not cover the entirety of Machiavelli's personal correspondence or non-political writings
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and political scientists regard this text as a foundational document for understanding republican theory and the evolution of political realism. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is significantly enhanced by the scholarly apparatus provided in this specific edition.
Page Count:
447
Publication Date:
2003-01-01
ISBN-10:
0191604666
ISBN-13:
9780191604669
History
Philosophy
Political Theory
Political Science
English
Renaissance
English & College Success
Classical Studies
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