Answer:
O Machiavelli uses logical evidence through historical examples to support his claim.
Step-by-step explanation:
Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" is a treatise that contains how princely states must be ruled and made to be obedient. It also details how rulers must act and do things in such a way to maintain power and authority over the state for a longer duration.
In the given passage/ excerpt, Machiavelli used historical evidence/ example to authenticate his argument that suggests that rulers of any state can be cruel if they are to rule over it for a long time. This is not only to maintain power over the state, but it is also needed for the security of the state and himself. Taking an example from "Agathocles, the Sicilian King of Syracuse", Machiavelli mentions how the king "assembled the people and the senate of Syracuse as if he had to discuss with them things relating to the Republic, and at a given signal the soldiers killed all the senators and the richest of the people" and seize the power for himself without the need to directly hurt the common people.
Thus, the correct answer is the third option.