with examples of those different ways of retaining a state.
The first governed Athens and Thebes by founding in them a government composed of a few persons; nevertheless they again lost those two cities.
The Romans, to make sure of Capua, Carthage, and Numantia, destroyed them and did not lose them.
They were, on the contrary, desirouş to hold Greece as they had held the Spartans, by restoring its liberty and its laws: this mode did not however succeed. They were compelled to destroy several cities in this province in order to retain it; for there is indeed no other certain way of preserving them. Whoever becomes master of a city accustomed to enjoy its liberty, and does not destroy it, ought to expect to be destroyed by it. In all its revolts it has always the cry of liberty for its rallying point and its refuge, as well as its ancient institutions, which neither length of time nor benefits can efface: do what we may, take whatever precautions we can, if we only divide the inhabitants, and do not disperse them, this name of liberty will never depart from their memory or from their hearts, no more than their ancient institutions, but they will immediately recur to it on the slightest occasion. We see what was done at Pisa after so many years passed under the yokę of the Florentines.
