Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, Preface, The Best Form of Government, Religion, The Transition From Servitude to Freedom Summary and Analysis

In the preface, Machiavelli explains that his method of political analysis is new. He follows the high esteem for history and its lessons common in his time and will be one of the only to practice it. He claims that men and nature alike are subject to laws that all them both to be understood.

In Sections 1-10, which concern the best form of government, Machiavelli discusses the formation of cities in general and specifically Rome. Rome was founded either by Aeneas or Romulus. Machiavelli also covers the formation Athens, Venice, Alexandria and Florence. He argues that free cities form from migrations, and...