Chapter 8 Summary

There are two other ways for a man to become a prince. In the first, a person rises to power by wicked actions. In the second, a man becomes a ruler through the consent of the people. The first way will be illustrated with two examples.

Agathocles of Sicily was the son of a potter. Though wicked, he is full of such talent and ability that he rose rapidly to commander of the military. One day he gathered all of the senate and citizens of Syracuse together as if he had something important to tell them. At his signal, his soldiers killed the members of the senate and the leading citizens. He made himself Lord of Syracuse, successfully resisting anyone who tried to take his power away from him.

Anyone who examines Agathocles life will realize that it was his ability, not his...