In his view this success is to be attributed to the Roman character, shaped by a governmental system that allowed participation by diverse classes, such as the Patrician and the Plebeians. Tension and disagreement between the elite and the populace, while creating disorder and disagreement, also promoted the need for compromise, therefore disagreement and diversity lead to a balanced government in which ultimately freedom prevails. These principles were use by James Madison, known as the Father of the Constitution, in the drafting of the Constitution of the United States.

Machiavelli also believed that a state must be strong enough to defend itself and that it must expand or perish, therefore he disapproved of Christianity, a religion which promotes suffering and self-abasement, and believed that Paganism, with its fierce gods who demanded blood and sacrifice, was more apt to promote valor and courage. In his view, religion must be subordinate to the needs of the state and develop citizens who must be ready to defend their country.

From 1503 to 1506 Machiavelli reorganized the military defense of the republic of Florence. Although mercenary armies were common during this period, he preferred to rely on the conscription of native troops to ensure a permanent and patriotic defense of the commonwealth. In 1512, when the Medici, a Florentine family, regained power in Florence and the republic was dissolved, he was deprived of office and briefly imprisoned for alleged conspiracy against them. After his release he retired to his estate near Florence, where he wrote his most important works. Despite his attempts to gain favor with the Medici rulers, he was never restored to his prominent government position. When the republic was temporarily reinstated in 1527, he was suspected by many republicans of pro-Medici leanings. He died in Florence on June 21 of that year.

His Works

Throughout his career, Machiavelli sought to establish a state capable of resisting foreign attack. His writings are concerned with the principles on which such a state is founded, and with the means by which they can be implemented and maintained. In his most famous work, Il Principe (1513), he describes the method by which a prince can acquire and maintain political power. This study, which has often been regarded as a defense of the despotism and tyranny of such rulers as Cesare Borgia, is based on Machiavelli's belief that a ruler is not bound by traditional ethical norms. In his view, a prince should be concerned only with power and be bound only by rules that would lead to success in political actions. Machiavelli believed that these rules could be discovered by deduction from the political practices of the time, as well as from those of earlier periods.

Machiavelli's formulation of the historical principles inherent in Roman government may be found in his Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio (1517) a commentary on the history of Rome by the Roman historian Livy. In this study Machiavelli departs from medieval theocratic concepts of history, ascribing historical events to the demands of human nature and the effects of chance. Among his other works are: Dell'arte della guerra (1521), which describes the advantages of conscripted over mercenary troops; Istorie florentine (1525), which interprets the chronicles of the city in terms of historical causality; Vita di Castruccio Castracani (1520), the biography of the famous Italian soldier and Ghibelline leader; a number of poems, and several plays, of which the best known is La Mandragola (1524), a biting satire on the corruption of contemporary Italian society

Joshua Isenberg Noble & Associates 515 State St., (29th Fl.) Chicago, IL 60610

Telephone (312) 644-4600 or email josh.isenberg@noble.net

Upon being elected Club Vice President in October, Roger Gennari resigned his position as Director of the Club. In accordance with Club by-laws, in the event of the resignation of an Officer or Director, it is the responsibility of the President to appoint a replacement to serve out the remaining term of office. Peter Puleo has been appointed as Director to serve for the remaining one year of Roger's term.

Cathedral Tour A Big Success

Mille grazie to member Audrey Giovanni for leading a most interesting, informative, and enjoyable tour of the mosaics of the St. Louis Cathedral and of the Cathedral's Museum of Mosaics. About 30 members and friends attended the Sunday, November 1 special activity program.

Addio, carissimi amici

In the past several months, the Club has experienced the death of five members. We shall sorrowfully miss their presence at our meetings, their support of our activities, and their warmth and friendship. On behalf of the Club, the Officers and Directors, we wish to express our sympathy and condolences to the families of Gil Gennari, Joseph Sandretto, Connie Cuccia, Peter Viviano, and past president Ersilio Rolfi.

Italian Club Translates Art on Wheels, Guide for Forest Park

The Italian Club recently was proud to assist the Landmarks Association of St. Louis in the preparation of a multi-lingual guide to attractions in Forest Park and the Central West End neighborhood. The guide, which features concise descriptions of the history and architecture of sites along the route of a special Art on Wheels tour bus, has been translated into French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Vietnamese in an effort to promote international tourism, serve new residents to the area, and increase the use of public transit within and around the park. Many thanks to members Luisa Flynn and Anthony Perrone who generously donated their time and talent to the Club for the Italian translation.

Report by the Board to the membership on Club's 1998 performance and open discussion of issues of importance to members.

February

I Partigiani. Recounting of actual experience serving as Italian partisans during the last days of WW II by Club member Valerio Bianco and others.

March

Venice. Slide presentation by Prof. Judy Mann of the St. Louis Art Musum.

April

Slide presentation on WU Arezzo Program by Prof. John Garganigo and awarding of Italian Club and Southwest Bank prizes for the study of Italian language.

May

Slide presentation on Italian Gardens by John Karel, Tower Grove Park Director. In conjunction with the presentation there will be a special tour of the park for members and friends.

June

Celebration of the Italian National Day. Report by Joseph Colagiovanni, Vice Consul of Italy. Presentation of Italian Heritage Award.

Natale. Guardo il presepe scolpito
dove sono i pastori appena giunti
alla povera stalla di Betlemme.
Anche i Re Magi nelle lunghe vesti
salutano il potente Re del mondo.
Pace nella finzione e nel silenzio
delle figure in legno ed ecco i vecchi
del villaggio e la stalla che risplende
e l'asinello di colore azzurro.

• Mezzo è un aggettivo che si concorda col sostantivo quando lo precede:

E' stato un mezzo disastro. Ho bevuto mezza bottiglia. Non amo i mezzi termini.

• ma quando lo segue, prende la forma avverbiale, invariabile:

Ho dormito due ore e mezzo. Ho mangiato una mela e mezzo.

• E' avverbio anche quando si accompagna a un aggettivo o participio per attenuarne il significato:

Erano mezzo ubriachi. Maria era mezzo vestita. (Mezzi ubriachi....mezza vestita sono forme popolari.)

Tratto dal libro di Cesare Marchi Impariamo l'italiano, Rizzoli, Milano, 1984

¹ imbroglierei. ² con un colpo dato a tondo.