Discourses on Livy

Work

by Niccolò Machiavelli · 1531

The Discourses on Livy is a work of political history and philosophy written in the early 16th century by the Italian writer and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. Published posthumously in 1531, the book discusses the structure and benefits of representative republic systems, drawing lessons from the history of ancient Rome.

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1 episode featuring Discourses on Livy

Dwarkesh Podcast
Historian Ada Palmer dismantles the myth of Machiavelli as a teacher of evil
Understanding the true context behind Machiavelli's writings reveals how Renaissance geopolitics, book scarcity, and early printing shaped modern political philosophy.
Jun 16, 2026 · 2h 8m

1 episode featuring Discourses on Livy

Historian Ada Palmer dismantles the myth of Machiavelli as a teacher of evil