Discourses on Livy · Chapter
XXXVII explained
Machiavelli discusses the destructive effects of the Agrarian Law in Rome, which aimed to limit land ownership and distribute conquered lands, leading to prolonged conflict between the commons and nobles.
What happens
Machiavelli discusses the destructive effects of the Agrarian Law in Rome, which aimed to limit land ownership and distribute conquered lands, leading to prolonged conflict between the commons and nobles. He argues that the law's retrospective application and the nobles' resistance caused turmoil, ultimately contributing to the rise of Marius and Sulla, civil wars, and the end of Roman liberty under Caesar. He contrasts this with his earlier claim that class conflict preserved freedom, noting that wealth disputes are more dangerous than those over honors.
Themes in this chapter
Class Conflict and Political Order
The Agrarian Law epitomizes the struggle between commons and nobles over wealth, which Machiavelli argues is more dangerous than disputes over honors.
Necessity and Reason of State
Machiavelli notes that the nobles' resistance to the law, though self-interested, was framed as serving the state, and that temporizing might have avoided ruin.
Historical Cyclicality and Human Nature
The chapter reflects on how human ambition and insatiable desires lead to cycles of prosperity and adversity, war and peace, and the rise and fall of states.
Ingratitude and Suspicion in Republics
The commons' suspicion of the nobles and the nobles' defense of property fueled mutual distrust, leading to civil strife and the eventual loss of liberty.
Characters to notice
- Titus Livius
Cited for his remark about the colony of Antium, noting that few Romans were willing to leave the city for the land distribution.
- Marius
Became the champion of the commons during the Agrarian Law disputes, made consul four times and later three more, consolidating power.
- Caesar
Headed the Marian party, defeated Pompey, and became the first tyrant of Rome, ending its liberty.
Key passages
“It has been said by ancient writers that to be pinched by adversity or pampered by prosperity is the common lot of men, and that in whichever way they are acted upon the result is the same.”
Ancient authors observed that humans are similarly affected by hardship or luxury, leading to the same outcomes.
Machiavelli introduces the cyclical nature of human affairs driven by necessity and ambition.
“For some seeking to enlarge their possessions, and some to keep what they have got, wars and enmities ensue, from which result the ruin of one country and the growth of another.”
The desire to gain or retain property leads to conflict, causing the decline of some states and the rise of others.
This explains the origin of the Agrarian Law disputes and their broader political consequences.
“We may also learn from this contest how much more men value wealth than honours; for in the matter of honours, the Roman nobles always gave way to the commons without any extraordinary resistance; but when it came to be a question of property, so stubborn were they in its defence...”
This struggle shows that people care more about money than status; nobles yielded on honors but fiercely fought over land.
Machiavelli highlights the primacy of economic interests over political prestige.
“Of which irregularities the prime movers were the Gracchi, whose motives are more to be commended than their measures; since to pass a law with stringent retrospective effect, in order to remove an abuse of long standing in a republic, is an unwise step...”
The Gracchi started these disturbances; their intentions were good, but enacting a retroactive law to fix an old problem was a mistake that accelerated the crisis.
Machiavelli criticizes the Gracchi's approach, advocating gradual reform over abrupt, retroactive legislation.