Read this passage from chapter 5 of the prince.
what is machiavelli's primary purpose in writing this
passage?
but when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a
prince, and his family is exterminated, they, being on the one
hand accustomed to obey and on the other hand not having
the old prince, cannot agree in making one from amongst
themselves, and they do not know how to govern
themselves. for this reason they are very slow to take up
arms, and a prince can gain them to himself and secure
them much more easily. but in republics there is more
vitality, greater hatred, and more desire for vengeance,
which will never permit them to allow the memory of their
former liberty to rest; so that the safest way is to destroy
them or to reside there.
to inform readers about the differences between
principalities and republics
to entertain readers with exciting stories of historical
wars, conquests, and rebellions
to convince readers that, to hold a conquered republic, a
prince must ruin it or live there
to persuade readers that a prince must eradicate the
royal family of a conquered principality