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Primary sourceBookc. 1517, published 1531

Discourses on Livy

Niccolò Machiavelli · c. 1517, published 1531

Machiavelli's long republican commentary on Roman history, written in the early 16th century, which argues for the virtues of mixed, free government.

Machiavelli's own extended work of republican political theory, showing a side of his thought beyond The Prince.

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Title page of an early printed book, 'Discorsi di Nicolo Machiavelli, Fiorentino, sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio', with a woodcut border showing a lion's head at top and a wolf standing on a ribbon inscribed 'DISSIMILIVM INFIDA SOCIETAS' below. Handwritten marks appear in the margins.
Niccolò Machiavelli, Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio, early printed edition.

About this source

What it is

The Discourses on Livy is a work of political history and philosophy written by Niccolò Machiavelli around 1517, examining the first ten books of the Roman historian Livy. It was published after Machiavelli's death, in 1531, with papal permission.

Why it matters

Where The Prince focuses on the seizure and holding of power by individual rulers, the Discourses show Machiavelli's deep interest in republics and mixed government, using ancient Rome as a model. He dedicated the work to his friends Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai, arguing that political greatness, like that of Rome, could be revived by learning from history. This work complicates the common image of Machiavelli as simply a teacher of tyranny.

Look closer

  • Why might Machiavelli have thought ancient Rome was worth imitating, but not contemporary Italian states?
  • What does the choice to dedicate this work to private friends, rather than a prince, suggest about Machiavelli's politics?
  • How does this text compare with The Prince in its view of good government?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Niccolo Machiavelli on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1550 Italian edition of Machiavelli's Il Principe, with the title and subtitles in black letters on aged paper, a woodcut portrait bust of a man holding a book, two oval emblems, and the date MDL at the bottom.Book

Primary source

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1513

Letter

Primary source

Letter to Francesco Vettori

Niccolò Machiavelli · 10 December 1513

Painting of a man with short dark hair in a black cloak with red sleeves and red collar, resting one hand on a stone ledge and holding a book in the other hand against a dark brown background.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli

Santi di Tito · late 16th century

Title page of a 1556 printed edition of Machiavelli's comedy Mandragola. Large capitals read MANDRAGOLA COMEDIA FACETISSIMA DI M. NICOLO MACHIAVELLI FIORENTINO, followed by Nuovamente corretta & Ristampata. A woodcut of a mandrake plant with roots and leaves is centered between the text. At the bottom reads IN FIORENZA MDLVI.Book

Primary source

The Mandrake

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1524

Photograph of a handwritten manuscript page on aged, yellowed paper, showing dense cursive Italian handwriting in brown ink, with a dedicatory opening line at the top. A small embossed seal or stamp appears at the bottom center, and a faint initial is written at the lower right.Book

Primary source

Florentine Histories

Niccolò Machiavelli · commissioned 1520, presented 1526, published 1532

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