The Prince

1513

Niccolo Machiavelli

[...] that all the Princedoms of which we have record have been governed in one or other of two ways, either by a sole Prince, all others being his servants permitted by his grace and favour to assist in governing the kingdom as his ministers; or else, by a Prince with his Barons who hold their rank, not by the favour of a superior Lord, but by antiquity of blood, and whohave States and subjects of their own who recognize them as their rulers and entertain for them a natural affection.

[...]

But when that memory was worn out by the authority and long continuance of their rule, they gained a secure hold, and were able afterwards in their contests among themselves, each to carry with him some portion of these Provinces, according as each had acquired influence there; for these, for these, on the extinction of the line of their old Princes, came to recognize no other Lords than the Romans.