read the passage from chapter 8 of the prince. agathocles, the sicilian, became king of syracuse not only…

read the passage from chapter 8 of the prince. agathocles, the sicilian, became king of syracuse not only from a private but from a low and abject position. this man, the son of a potter, through all the changes in his fortunes always led an infamous life. nevertheless, he accompanied his infamies with so much ability of mind and body that, having devoted himself to the military profession, he rose through its ranks to be praetor of syracuse. being established in that position, and having deliberately resolved to make himself prince and to seize by violence, without obligation to others, that which had been conceded to him by assent, he came to an understanding for this purpose with amilcar, the carthaginian, who, with his army, was fighting in sicily. one morning he assembled the people and the senate of syracuse, as if he had to discuss with them things relating to the republic, and at a given signal the soldiers killed all the senators and how does machiavelli support his claim that rulers can be cruel if it benefits their subjects and is necessary for security? machiavelli uses anecdotal evidence through historical examples to support his claim. machiavelli uses empirical evidence about politics and society to support his claim. machiavelli uses logical evidence through historical examples to support his claim. machiavelli uses empirical and logical evidence to support his claim.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
Machiavelli presents the historical example of Agathocles, a story - like account to make his point. This is anecdotal evidence. He doesn't use empirical data on politics and society in a statistical or research - based way, nor is it pure logical evidence without the story element.
Answer:
Machiavelli uses anecdotal evidence through historical examples to support his claim.