Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2: Free Audiobook and Listening Guide

Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2, credited to Niccolò Machiavelli, is available as a LibriVox volunteer audiobook. This guide identifies the recording, its source summary and its audio tracks.

About the work

The LibriVox catalogue summary, preserved with the recording, reads:

LibriVox recording of Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2 by Niccolò Machiavelli. (Translated by Ninian Hill Thomson.) Read in English by merendo07; jenno; TerribleTy27; George Allen; Rita Boutros In "Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius", posthumous work by the author of The Prince, Machiavelli discusses the useful lessons that could be learnt from the past for the present. As the title mentions, the subject of the work is the first ten books of Livy's Ab urbe condita, which cover the expansion of Rome from the legendary monarchy of Romulus to the end of the Third Samnite War (293 BCE). The whole work contains three books, with 142 numbered chapters - perhaps not a coincidence, since Livy's history also contained 142 books. In the second book, the author discusses decisions made by the Roman people pertaining to the increase of its empire. - Summary by Leni

Recording facts

• Recording title: Discourses on the First Decade of Titus Livius, Book 2
• Author credits: Niccolò Machiavelli
• Language: English
• Original MP3 tracks: 34
• Listed recording duration: 4:39:18

Catalogue topics

• Florence
• republic
• livy

Opening tracks: first 24 of 34

1. 00 - Preface — 8:35
2. 01 - CHAPTER I. Whether the Empire acquired by the Romans was more due to Valour or to Fortune — 8:50
3. 02 - CHAPTER II. With what Nations the Romans had to contend, and how stubborn these were in defending their Freedom — 14:51
4. 03 - CHAPTER III. That Rome became great by destroying the Cities which lay round about her, and by readily admitting strangers to the rights of Citizenship — 4:29
5. 04 - CHAPTER IV. That Commonwealths have followed three Methods for extending their Power — 11:39
6. 05 - CHAPTER V. That changes in Sects and Tongues, and the happening of Floods and Pestilences, obliterate the Memory of the Past. — 6:18
7. 06 - CHAPTER VI. Of the Methods followed by the Romans in making War. — 6:29
8. 07 - CHAPTER VII. Of the Quantity of Land assigned by the Romans to each Colonist. — 2:18
9. 08 - CHAPTER VIII. Why certain Nations leave their ancestral Seats and overflow the Countries of others. — 10:20
10. 09 - CHAPTER IX. Of the Causes which commonly give rise to Wars between States. — 4:46
11. 10 - CHAPTER X. That contrary to the vulgar opinion, Money is not the Sinews of War. — 9:58
12. 11 - CHAPTER XI. That it were unwise to ally yourself a Prince who has Reputation rather than Strength. — 3:00
13. 12 - CHAPTER XII. Whether when Invasion is imminent it is better to anticipate or to await it. — 10:06
14. 13 - CHAPTER XIII. That Men rise from humble to high Fortunes rather by Fraud than by Force. — 4:57
15. 14 - CHAPTER XIV. That Men often err in thinking they can subdue Pride by Humility. — 3:39
16. 15 - CHAPTER XV. That weak States are always dubious in their Resolves; and that tardy Resolves are always hurtful. — 7:13
17. 16 - CHAPTER XVI. That the Soldiers of our days depart widely from the methods of ancient Warfare. — 10:33
18. 17 - CHAPTER XVII. What importance the Armies of the present day should allow to Artillery; and whether the commonly received opinion concerning it be just. — 13:18
19. 18 - CHAPTER XVIII. That the authority of the Romans and the example of ancient Warfare should make us hold Foot Soldiers of more account than Horse. — 12:57
20. 19 - CHAPTER XIX. That Acquisitions made by ill-governed States and such as follow not the valiant methods of the Romans, tend rather to their Ruin than to their Aggrandizement. — 11:54
21. 20 - CHAPTER XX. Of the Dangers incurred by Princes or Republics who resort to Auxiliary or Mercenary Arms. — 5:49
22. 21 - CHAPTER XXI. That Capua was the first City to which the Romans sent a Prætor; nor there, until four hundred years after they began to make War. — 5:44
23. 22 - CHAPTER XXII. That in matters of moment Men often judge amiss. — 6:47
24. 23 - CHAPTER XXIII. That in chastising their Subjects when circumstances required it the Romans always avoided half-measures. — 9:58

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