Question

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
mav do or provide against. they never forget that name
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.
the list of cities Rome and Sparta conquered
the portrayal of Greece as being held by Sparta
the explanation of how Rome held Capua, Carthage,
and Numantia
the description of liberty as a rallying cry for rebellion
in former republics
the example of the Florentines losing control over
Pisa

Answer 1

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

1. "And whatever you may do or provide against, they never forget that name." This statement emphasizes the enduring power of the idea of liberty in former republics, making it difficult to control them without destruction.

2. "And he who becomes master of a city accustomed to freedom and does not destroy it may expect to be destroyed by it..." This statement directly asserts the idea that not destroying a city accustomed to freedom leads to the conquering prince's downfall.

3. "The Romans, in order to hold Capua, Carthage, and Numantia, dismantled them, and did not lose them." This example illustrates Machiavelli's argument that conquering princes, like the Romans, had to destroy and dismantle cities to retain control.

So, the relevant text evidence emphasizes the necessity of destruction to maintain control over a former republic, supporting Machiavelli's argument.