# Piero Soderini — Discourses on Livy character guide

> Piero Soderini in Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Gonfalonier Piero Soderini

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

Florence's Gonfalonier, whose gentle belief that time and goodwill would dissolve envy led him to ruin and became Machiavelli's cautionary tale.

## Who they are

Soderini trusted that patience, kindness, and conferring benefits could overcome the envy of rivals, refusing to strike first while he still held the people's affection. Machiavelli, writing from bitter experience, judges this fatal: time does not wait, worth does not suffice, and malice is not disarmed by generosity. His downfall stands beside Savonarola's as proof that reformers who cannot or will not use force are undone by those who can.

## In the story

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/vii)

His fall was caused by the absence of a proper impeachment law; the people could not legally accuse him, so they resorted to calling in the Spanish army.

### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xlvii)

Implicitly referenced in the Florentine example of magistrates changing views upon taking office.

### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/lii)

Discussed as a leader who gained influence through popular affection; his enemies could have forestalled him but his own honorable course prevented him from adopting their methods.

### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/liv)

Mentioned as Pagolo Antonio Soderini, a citizen of great reputation, whose house was threatened by the Frateschi faction.

### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/lvi)

Before his banishment, the palace was struck by lightning.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxvii)

Implied as the Florentine leader during the 1512 Spanish invasion; the Florentines' pride in rejecting Spanish terms led to the sack of Prato and fall of the republic.

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/book-iii)

Used as an example of a leader who failed to act decisively against threats.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/iii)

Failed to emulate Brutus; his patience and goodness allowed his enemies to overthrow him, leading to his exile.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/ix)

Ruined because his gentle, patient methods could not adapt when times required force.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxvii)

Referenced indirectly through the Florentine context of dealing with Pistoja's factions.

### [On Envy, Authority, and the Defense of a City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxx)

Believed he could allay envy through gentleness and benefits, but failed because time, worth, and fortune are insufficient against malice; his downfall is contrasted with Camillus's success.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/piero_soderini
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters