# Appius Claudius — Discourses on Livy character guide > Appius Claudius in Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Appius **First appearance:** 0007-iv ## Snapshot A crafty decemvir who feigned friendship with the commons to seize absolute power, then turned Rome's laws into instruments of his own ambition. ## Who they are Appius begins as the people's unlikely champion, his sudden affability toward the commons masking a design to entrench himself as tyrant. His manipulation of the decemvirate, including the audacious nomination of himself, reveals how easily republican institutions can be bent by a determined schemer. Machiavelli uses him to show that liberty is most endangered not by open enemies but by those who court the people while plotting their subjection. ## Relationships ### [Pope Alexander VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/pope_alexander_vi) _rivalry_ Appius Claudius, a symbol of Roman patrician tyranny, is contrasted with Pope Alexander VI as a corrupt and ambitious ruler, both exemplifying destructive leadership. ### [Marcus Menenius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/marcus_menenius) _rivalry_ Appius Claudius, a patrician oppressor, is opposed by Marcus Menenius, a moderate who sought to calm plebeian unrest, highlighting class conflict. ## In the story ### [Discourses on Livy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/discourses-on-livy) Appius Claudius is discussed as a figure whose ambition and tyranny illustrate the dangers of concentrated power in a republic. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/book-i) Decemvir whose tyrannical behavior and the death of Virginia led to the fall of the Decemvirate and restoration of republican liberty. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xiii) Implied as part of the noble faction; the tribune Terentillus is mentioned, but Appius is not directly in this chapter. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as Appius Pulcher, who in Sicily during the First Punic War rashly threw the sacred fowls into the sea after they refused to feed, leading to defeat and condemnation. ### [Why the creation of the Decemvirate in Rome, although brought about by the free and open suffrage of the citizens, was hurtful to the liberties of that republic.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxxv) The ambitious member of the Decemvirate whose ambition spurred the Ten to tyranny in their second year. ### [XL: Of the creation of the Decemvirate in Rome, and what therein is to be noted.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xl) The chief decemvir who initially feigned favor with the commons to gain power, but later revealed his innate arrogance and attempted to establish tyranny, ultimately leading to his downfall. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xli) Appius is the central figure in this chapter, criticized for his sudden shift from a humble and friendly demeanor to a haughty and cruel one, which exposed his duplicity and led to his downfall. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xlii) Gathered youths around him who became corrupted and supported his tyranny. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xliii) Implied as a leader of the decemvirate, under whose command Roman soldiers fought without the same goodwill and were defeated. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xliv) Implied as one of the decemvirs whose office was to be laid down before negotiations. ### [Chapter XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xlv) Cited by Virginius, dragged to prison, and committed suicide before trial; his violation of the law he helped create is condemned. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned indirectly through the context of the Latin war; the Latin Praetor Annius Setinus is referenced. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xi) Devised the method of controlling the tribunes by ensuring one among them could be influenced to oppose the rest. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xix) Sent to command Roman armies; his harshness and severity led to ill obedience and near defeat, forcing him to resign. ### [How women are a cause of the ruin of states](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxvi) Implied as the decemvir whose tyranny was broken by the death of Virginia. ### [Chapter XXXIII: That to insure victory in battle you must inspire your men with confidence in one another and in you](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxxiii) Quoted complaining to the people about the tribunes corrupting religious rites and auspices. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xlvi) Referenced as part of the haughty and ambitious Claudii family, with a specific censor who refused to resign. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/appius_claudius - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters