Machiavelli

Machiavelli

Machiavelli was born Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. Machiavelli was an author, statesmen, and political philosopher. Machiavelli married Marietta Corsini and they had five children.

Machiavelli began his public service career in government as a clerk and quickly advanced. In 1498, Machiavelli was appointed Second Chancery. Machiavelli’ duties included diplomatic negotiations and supervising military missions. In his role as a diplomat, Machiavelli met many important political rulers including Cesare Borgia, Emperor Maximilian I, and Pope Julius II. Machiavelli observed and studied the political strategies of the rulers.

Machiavelli was dismissed as Second Chancery when the Medici came to power in Florence and the Florentine Republic was overthrown. Machiavelli was unjustly accused of conspiracy against the Medici, imprisoned, and tortured. Machiavelli was exiled from the city, but was not permitted to leave the Florentine Republic territory. After being released from prison, Machiavelli retired to his family villa in Sant’ Andrea in southern Florence.

No longer active in politics, Machiavelli began to write about politics. Machiavelli wrote The Prince and dedicated the book to the Medici in hopes he would be reinstated as Second Chancery. The Medici did not like the book and public sentiment was anti-Machiavelli because of the radical political beliefs outlined in The Prince. The Prince described the strategy a new prince should use to gain and keep power. Machiavelli believed a ruler should not be restricted by morals and when laws fell brutal force was necessary to control the people. In The Prince, Machiavelli portrayed Cesare Borgia as the example of the perfect prince. Cesare Borgia was a cruel and cunning tyrant who through domination accomplished a unified Italian state.

When the Republic regained power, Machiavelli still was not allowed back in office because he was viewed as a pro-Medici sympathizer. Machiavelli never served in public office again. Machiavelli was branded an advocate for the use of violence to conquer lands and maintain control over people. Machiavelli wrote other books including On the Art of War, The History of Florence, and a number of plays and poems. Machiavelli died June 22, 1527. The adjective “Machiavellian” is synonymous for amoral, cunning, and unscrupulous behavior.

Works Cited

• Rudowski A Victor. The Prince. A Historical Critique. NY: Twayne Publishers. 1942.
• Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought. Eds. Skinner, Quentin and Price, Russell. UK: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 8 -12.