The Discourses Chapter Summary & Analysis - Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Sundry Remarks on Strategy, Tactics, New Devices and Discipline, Administrative Posts, Administrative Methods: The Rival Claims of Severity and Good Fellowship Summary

Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Sundry Remarks on Strategy, Tactics, New Devices and Discipline, Administrative Posts, Administrative Methods: The Rival Claims of Severity and Good Fellowship Summary and Analysis

Sections 10-15 make miscellaneous comments on battle tactics. Generals cannot block engagements if enemies will sacrifice anything to engage them. If a general has to fight several enemies, he can win even if he is weaker as long as he can survive their first attack. Practical and wise commanders should require his troops to fight but should not press his enemy to do so. It is a wash whether it is better to trust a good general with a weak army or a weak general with a good army. New inventions introduced in battle and strange cries produce a wide range of effects. Only one commander should head an army; multiple commanders is a nuisance and can result in contradictory orders.

Sections 16-18 focus on administrative posts. Machiavelli argues that genuine virtue is required in difficult periods. However, if matters go well, popularity due to wealth or parentage is more...
(read more)