contentions or tumults, and see what their government was, and whether
it would have been possible to introduce it into Rome. Of such republics
we have an example in ancient times in Sparta, in modern times in
Venice, of both which States I have already made mention. Sparta created
for herself a government consisting of a king and a limited senate.
Venice has made no distinction in the titles of her rulers, all
qualified to take part in her government being classed under the one
designation of "Gentlemen," an arrangement due rather to chance than to
the foresight of those who gave this State its constitution. For many
persons, from causes already noticed, seeking shelter on these rocks on
which Venice now stands, after they had so multiplied that if they were
to continue to live together it became necessary for them to frame laws,
established a form of government; and assembling often in their councils
to consult for the interests of their city, when it seemed to them that
their numbers were sufficient for political existence, they closed the
entrance to civil rights against all who came afterwards to live there,
not allowing them to take any part in the management of affairs. And
when in course of time there came to be many citizens excluded from the
government, to add to the importance of the governing body, they named
these "Gentlemen" (_gentiluomini_), the others "Plebeians" (_popolani_).
And this distinction could grow up and maintain itself without causing
disturbance; for as at the time of its origin, whosoever then lived in
Venice was made one of the governing body, none had reason to complain;
while those who came to live there afterwards, finding the government
in a completed form, had neither ground nor opportunity to object. No
ground, because nothing was taken from them; and no opportunity, because
those in authority kept them under control, and never employed them in
affairs in which they could acquire importance. Besides which, they who
came later to dwell in Venice were not so numerous as to destroy all
proportion between the governors and the governed; the number of the