Read this passage from chapter 5 of the prince. but when cities or countries are accustomed to live under a prince, and his family is exterminated, they, being on the one hand accustomed to obey and on the other hand not having the old prince, cannot agree in making one from amongst themselves, and they do not know how to govern themselves. for this reason they are very slow to take up arms, and a prince can gain them to himself and secure them much more easily. but in republics there is more vitality, greater hatred, and more desire for vengeance, which will never permit them to allow the memory of their former liberty to rest; so that the safest way is to destroy them or to reside there. how does machiavelli work to achieve his primary purpose to convince readers that a prince must ruin a conquered republic or live there? select two options. he lists the types of territories a prince might conquer. he describes the role of a ruling family in a principality. he explains the roots of rebellion in conquered republics. he identifies the characteristics of government in a republic. he contrasts the characteristics of principalities and republics.

The correct options are: "He explains the roots of rebellion in conquered republics" and "He contrasts he characteristics of principalities and republics".

First of, Machiavelli establishes that the most efficient way to secure a formerly free republic is to destroy it. He observes that if the prince is unwilling to carry on this determination, he will surely be in great danger of suffering this fate himself. What defines this volatile and threatening nature in states with a past tradition of freedom is that these ideals will always stay alive in their culture throughout history unless they are destroyed, the people won't abandon the hunger to return to that state of liberty.

Secondly, the author explains why it's easier for a new prince to stay in power after taking on a city or province that doesn't have a tradition of freedom in their history. The people inhabiting these territories are used to living under obedience towards a ruler, and will therefore be way less likely to rise up against the conqueror.

After these two important points, it's clear why he advices destruction of republics as a way to ensure a prosperous ruling over them; and the difference between these territories in contrast to principalities in which obedience has already been naturalized upon their citizens, making them an easier target.

Hope this helps!