stated have beenaccustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom； there are threecourses for those who wish to hold them： the first is to ruin them； thenext is to reside there in person； the third is to permit them to liveunder their own laws； drawing a tribute； and establishing within it anoligarchy which will keep it friendly to you。 Because such a government；being created by the prince； knows that it cannot stand without hisfriendship and interest； and does its utmost to support him； andtherefore he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold itmore easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way。There are； for example； the Spartans and the Romans。 The Spartans heldAthens and Thebes； establishing there an oligarchy； nevertheless theylost them。 The Romans； in order to hold Capua； Carthage； and Numantia；dismantled them； and did not lose them。 They wished to hold Greece asthe Spartans held it； making it free and permitting its laws； and didnot succeed。 So to hold it they were pelled to dismantle many citiesin the country； for in truth there is no safe way to retain themotherwise than by ruining them。 And he who bees master of a cityaccustomed to freedom and does not destroy it； may expect to bedestroyed by it； for in rebellion it has always the watch…word ofliberty and its ancient privileges as a rallying point； which neithertime nor benefits will ever cause it to forget。 And what ever you may door provide against； they never forget that name or