The article examines the work of the Florentine diplomat of the era of the Italian wars Niccolo Machiavelli, which contains a comparative analysis of the reactions of states to two rebellions - the ancient one against Rome, and the modern one for Machiavelli, against Florence. The relevance of the topic is related to the current scientific interest in Machiavelli-diplomat and Renaissance views on ancient history. The author of the article demonstrates Machiavelli as a supporter of consistent actions in suppressing rebellions, appealing in his position to the Roman experience.