Plebeian riot

History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy secondary

After temporary obedience, Machiavelli describes a more injurious disturbance caused by the very lowest people, especially woolen-art subordinates, who fear punishment, resent the rich, and form meetings at night to plan further violence.

citizens were united in her defense, an archbishop of Milan and a pope were unable to subdue it, and, after many years of war, were compelled to retire with disgrace. "Then why would you, by your discords, reduce to slavery in a time of peace, that city, which so many powerful enemies have left free, even in war? What can you expect from your disunion but subjugation? or from the property of which you already have p…