CHAPTER THREE
ON THE INCIDENTS THAT LED TO THE CREATION OF THE PLEBEIAN TRIBUNES IN ROME, WHICH MADE THE REPUBLIC MORE PERFECT

Those who reason about civic life argue—and the history books are filled with examples—that it is necessary for a ruler who is setting up a republic and organizing its laws to presuppose that all men are evil, and that whenever they have the opportunity they will act according to the malignity of their nature. When such malignity is concealed for a while, it is linked to a hidden cause which, not being visible, is not recognized. But time, which people call the father of all truth, will in the end expose this malignity.

In Rome after the Tarquins¹⁶ were expelled there seemed to exist a wonderful accord between the plebeians and the Senate. The nobles seemed to have laid down their pride and taken up the popular cause and were supported by everyone, even the lowliest. But this was a ruse, and the motivation of the nobles remained hidden, nor was the reason for it apparent as long as the Tarquins, whom the nobles feared, were alive. The nobles felt that mistreating the plebeians would draw the plebeians closer to the Tarquins, and so the nobles conducted themselves toward the plebeians outward with respect. But no sooner were the Tarquins dead than the nobles’ fear vanished and they began spewing at the plebeians all the venom concealed in their hearts, attacking them in every way they could.¹⁷ This bears testimony to what I said before, that men never do good except out of necessity.

But where choice is overabundant and one has recourse to every freedom, everything is soon beset by confusion and disorder. It is said that hunger and poverty make man industrious, and that laws make him good, but that laws are not necessary when things work well on their own accord without them. When these good customs are missing, however, then laws become vital. With the Tarquins gone—the fear of whom had kept the nobility in check—it was necessary to find a new order that would have the same effect that the Tarquins had had while they were alive. Thus, after many uproars, and clashes between the plebeians and the nobility, the tribunes were created for the security of the plebeians. These tribunes were of such standing and reputation that they were always able to act as mediators between the plebeians and the Senate, and to curb the arrogance of the nobles.

16. Tarquin the Proud, who according to tradition reigned from 534 to 510 BCE, was the last of the seven legendary kings of Rome.

17. Livy (Book II, chapter 21) writes: “This year is notable for the news of Tarquin’s death. […] The news delighted the patricians and delighted the plebeians. But the patricians’ happiness went out of control. Up to that time they had treated the plebeians with great deference, but now their leaders began to inflict injustice upon them.”