Question

Describe the role of armies according to Machiavelli in Chapters 12-14. Pay specific attention to why they must be strong, have different types of troops and the value of them, and the military duty of the prince.

Answer 1

A prince's military is a metaphor of his own country. Their country is considered united if it is mostly composed of his own men, yet "if one holds his states based on [auxiliaries and mercenaries], [his state is] neither firm nor safe" and is not united. Machiavelli explains that losing a situation with auxiliaries and mercenaries is the same as  "one is undone, and winning, one is their captive". According to Machiavelli, a price should always be prepared for war since war is "the sole art that belongs to him who rules".