Discourses on Livy · Chapter
XIII explained
Machiavelli examines how the Romans used religion as a political instrument to reform institutions, sustain military campaigns, and quell civil disturbances.
What happens
Machiavelli examines how the Romans used religion as a political instrument to reform institutions, sustain military campaigns, and quell civil disturbances. He recounts three key instances: the nobles exploiting portents to regain control of the tribuneship, the manipulation of the Alban Lake omen to maintain the siege of Veii, and the use of religious oaths and feigned oracles to thwart the tribune Terentillus's law and unite the people behind the consuls.
Themes in this chapter
Religion as a Political Instrument
The chapter demonstrates how Roman nobles used religion—portents, oracles, oaths, and feigned prophecies—to achieve political and military objectives.
Class Conflict and Political Order
The struggle between nobles and plebeians over the tribuneship and the Terentillian law is central, with religion used by the nobles to maintain control.
Necessity and Reason of State
Religion is employed as a necessary tool to overcome political impasses and maintain civic unity, even through deception.
Characters to notice
- Titus Livius
Cited as the source for examples of Roman use of religion.
- Furius Camillus
Named dictator during the siege of Veii, leading to its capture.
- Appius Claudius
Implied as part of the noble faction; the tribune Terentillus is mentioned, but Appius is not directly in this chapter.
- Valerius Corvinus
Consul Publius Valerius who led the assault on the Capitol and was slain.
- Titus Quintius Flamininus
Appointed consul after Valerius's death; used the oath to compel the people to march against the Volscians.
Key passages
“That neglect of the gods which now prevails, had not then made its way nor was it then the practice for every man to interpret his oath, or the laws, to suit his private ends.”
In those days, people did not yet treat the gods with contempt, nor did they twist oaths and laws to serve their own interests.
Livy's comment on the religious sincerity of the Roman commons, contrasted with modern corruption.
“The Romans having appointed tribunes with consular powers, all of them, save one, plebeians, it so chanced that in that very year they were visited by plague and famine, accompanied by many strange portents.”
After the Romans elected tribunes with consular authority—all but one being plebeians—that same year brought plague, famine, and ominous signs.
The nobles used these disasters as evidence of divine displeasure at the plebeian dominance.