CHAP. VIII.
Of those who by Crimes have arrived at Sovereignty.
As sovereignty may be attained in two ways without being indebted either to fortune or to merit and skill, it is proper that I should here detail them. The examination of one of those modes, however, would more appropriately be placed under the article republics. The first is pursued by those usurpers who arrive at sovereignty by acts of villany, and the second is when a private individual. is raised by his fellow citizens.to the dignity of prince of his country.
I will cite two examples of the former method, the one ancient, the other modern: and without analysing or appreciating them any otherwise; they will suffice to those who are under the necesşity of doing the like. Agathocles, a Sicilian, an individual of the lowest class, raised himself to the throne of Syracuse. He was the son of a potter, and imprinted with crimes every gradation of his fortune; but he conducted himself with infinite ability, and so much courage as well as strength of mind and body, that, having devoted all his attention to arms, he rose step by step in the army, till
