Answer:
Second Option: By contrasting the outcome of Spartan and Roman conquests, Machiavelli provides evidence to support his claim that a prince must destroy a free city in order to hold it
Explanation:
"The Prince" (published 1532) is a political treatise by Italian writer, philosopher, diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527).
In Chapter five before these lines Machiavelli suggests three ways to control conquered states (or city states). The three methods are;
- Ruin them, as Rome destroyed Carthage
- Go to live there and rule it personally
- Keep the state intact but install an oligarchy
Next he also suggests that the best option is the first one i.e. to ruin such states.
In this passage Machiavelli is trying to give evidence to prove that the first option is the best option. For this purpose he gives example from Roman and Greek history.
First option is incorrect because, although he describes Spartans and Romans' actions, it is for the purpose of supporting his claim.
Third option is incorrect because, Machiavelli has already suggested the solutions of the problem; in these lines he is just trying to prove the effectiveness of his suggested solution.
Fourth option is incorrect because, the passage is not about description, but giving examples from the history to prove his claim.
