What does “Divide et impera” mean?

“Dīvide et imperā” means “Divide and rule”. Often credited to Rome or to Machiavelli; the Latin form is later than both.

Who said “Divide et impera”?

It is not classical: early modern political maxim.

Dīvide et imperā

“Divide and rule”

DIVIDE · ET · IMPERA

Later Latin: medieval or modern

early modern political maxim

Often credited to Rome or to Machiavelli; the Latin form is later than both.

Word by word

Dīvidedīvidō -eredivide, separate2nd sg. pres. act. imper.
etetand
imperāimperō -ārecommand, control2nd sg. pres. act. imper.

Using it as a motto or tattoo

Latin endings carry gender and number, so a saying about one person may need changing for another. Check your own version, or have three new ones composed, on the motto desk.

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Quick answers

What does “Divide et impera” mean?: “Dīvide et imperā” means “Divide and rule”. Often credited to Rome or to Machiavelli; the Latin form is later than both.
Who said “Divide et impera”?: It is not classical: early modern political maxim.

Related sayings

Quis custōdiet ipsōs custōdēs?Who will guard the guards themselves?
Pānem et circēnsēsBread and circuses