Niccolò Machiavelli Biography

Diplomat, Writer (1469–1527)

QUICK FACTS PLACE OF DEATH

NAME Florence, Italy

Niccolò Machiavelli AKA

OCCUPATION Machiavelli

Diplomat, Writer Niccolò di Bernardo

BIRTH DATE Niccolò Machiavelli

May 3, 1469 NICKNAME

DEATH DATE "Father of Modern Political Theory"

June 21, 1527 FULL NAME

PLACE OF BIRTH Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli

Florence, Italy

Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli is best known for writing The Prince, a handbook for
unscrupulous politicians that inspired the term "Machiavellian" and established its author as the
"father of modern political theory."

QUOTES

“Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be
feared than loved.”

—Niccolò Machiavelli

Synopsis

Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, Niccolò Machiavelli was a diplomat for 14 years in
Italy's Florentine Republic during the Medici family's exile. When the Medici family returned to
power in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed and briefly jailed. He then wrote The Prince, a
handbook for politicians on the use of ruthless, self-serving cunning, inspiring the term
"Machiavellian" and establishing Machiavelli as the "father of modern political theory." He also
wrote several poems and plays. He died on June 21, 1527, in Florence, Italy.

Early Life and Diplomatic Career

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy, on May 3, 1469—a time when
Italy was divided into four rival city-states and, thusly, was at the mercy of stronger governments
throughout the rest of Europe.

The young Niccolò Machiavelli became a diplomat after the temporary fall of Florence's ruling
Medici family in 1494. He served in that position for 14 years in Italy's Florentine Republic
during the Medici family's exile, during which time he earned a reputation for deviousness,
enjoying shocking his associates by appearing more shameless than he truly was.

After his involvement in an unsuccessful attempt to organize a Florentine militia against the
return of the Medici family to power in 1512 became known, Machiavelli was tortured, jailed
and banished from an active role in political life.

Authoring 'The Prince'

Though it was initially a dark period for his career, Machiavelli's time away from politics gave
him the opportunity to read Roman history and to write political treatises, most notably The
Prince. The main theme of this short work about monarchal rule and survival is man's capacity
for determining his own destiny in opposition to the power of fate, which has been interpreted as
the political philosophy that one may resort to any means in order to establish and preserve total
authority. The work has been regarded as a handbook for politicians on the use of ruthless, self-
serving cunning, and inspired the term "Machiavellian." While many believe that the book's title
character, "the prince," was based upon the infamous Cesare Borgia, some scholars consider it a
satire.

Pope Clement VIII condemned The Prince for its endorsement of rule by deceit and fear. One
excerpt from the book reads: "Since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose
between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved."

In addition to The Prince, Machiavelli wrote the treatise On the Art of War(1521), among others,
and several poems and plays, including 1524's satirical The Mandrake.

Later Years and Legacy

In his later years, Niccolò Machiavelli resided in a small village just outside of Florence. He died
in the city on June 21, 1527. His tomb is in the church of Santa Croce in Florence, which,
ironically, he had been banned from entering during the last years of his life. Today, Machiavelli
is regarded as the "father of modern political theory."
The Prince

Book Summary

The Prince is an extended analysis of how to acquire and maintain political power. It includes 26
chapters and an opening dedication to Lorenzo de Medici. The dedication declares Machiavelli's
intention to discuss in plain language the conduct of great men and the principles of princely
government. He does so in hope of pleasing and enlightening the Medici family.

The book's 26 chapters can be divided into four sections: Chapters 1-11 discuss the different
types of principalities or states, Chapters 12-14 discuss the different types of armies and the
proper conduct of a prince as military leader, Chapters 15-23 discuss the character and behavior
of the prince, and Chapters 24-26 discuss Italy's desperate political situation. The final chapter is
a plea for the Medici family to supply the prince who will lead Italy out of humiliation.

The types of principalities

Machiavelli lists four types of principalities:

Hereditary principalities, which are inherited by the ruler

Mixed principalities, territories that are annexed to the ruler's existing territories

New principalities, which may be acquired by several methods: by one's own power, by the
power of others, by criminal acts or extreme cruelty, or by the will of the people (civic
principalities)

Ecclesiastical principalities, namely the Papal States belonging to the Catholic church

The types of armies

A prince must always pay close attention to military affairs if he wants to remain in power.
Machiavelli lists four types of armies:

Mercenaries or hired soldiers, which are dangerous and unreliable

Auxiliaries, troops that are loaned to you by other rulers—also dangerous and unreliable

Native troops, composed of one's own citizens or subjects—by far the most desirable kind

Mixed troops, a combination of native troops and mercenaries or auxiliaries—still less desirable
than a completely native army

The character and behavior of the prince

Machiavelli recommends the following character and behavior for princes:

It is better to be stingy than generous.

It is better to be cruel than merciful.

It is better to break promises if keeping them would be against one's interests.

Princes must avoid making themselves hated and despised; the goodwill of the people is a better
defense than any fortress.

Princes should undertake great projects to enhance their reputation.

Princes should choose wise advisors and avoid flatterers.

Italy's political situation

Machiavelli outlines and recommends the following:

The rulers of Italy have lost their states by ignoring the political and military principles
Machiavelli enumerates.

Fortune controls half of human affairs, but free will controls the rest, leaving the prince free to
act. However, few princes can adapt their actions to the times.

The final chapter is an exhortation to the Medici family to follow Machiavelli's principles and
thereby free Italy from foreign domination.

The Prince

by Niccolò Machiavelli

How It All Goes Down

How to be a prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli to his BFF Lorenzo de' Medici:

Step 1: get yourself a kingdom, and preferably have your own army while doing it since
mercenaries are bad news. Be careful when choosing a place to take over. Even though it will be
harder to conquer at first, choose the land of a king with no powerful barons or ministers,
because it will be easiest to maintain in the long run. Make sure you kill anyone who might
oppose you before continuing. And choose a role model.
Step 2: keep your kingdom secure by not allowing people as strong as you are into the
neighborhood. Also, make friends with your neighbors. Don't let people hate you, but don't
worry too much if they grumble a bit. Maintain a reputation for awesomeness. When in doubt,
think of Cesare Borgia.

P.S. Pleasie weasie come rule Italy using the steps Machiavelli showed you. You can do it!

Okay, okay, we'll break it down a little more:

Chapters 1-4: States can be republics or kingdoms, old or new. The easiest to rule are old
hereditary kingdoms, lands that are passed down from father to son (and rarely from father to
daughter, or mother to son or—you get the picture). Basically, instead of passing along their
2001 Toyota Camry, your parents give you a kingdom.

You'd have to be an idiot to have problems ruling one of these. Because they're so easy to rule,
they are hard to take. The opposite is true of states that are easy to take: they tend to be hard to
rule. The best way to take old hereditary kingdoms is by killing the old monarchy. Every last
one.

Chapters 5-7: You also need violence to take self-governed republics, because they will rebel if
you don't crush them. Just remember not to keepbeing violent. Get it over with so you can start
being nice and people won't hate you. Never let your people hate you. Lie, cheat, steal—just
don't become hated.

And make sure you have your own army.

Chapters 10-14: Mercenaries and auxiliaries (people you pay to fight for you) are a waste of time
and dangerous, to boot. If you have a strong army, and your people love you, no one can touch
you. They won't even thinkabout it.

On that topic, you need to run your army, so war needs to be on your mind all day every day.
You need to be on the cutting edge of war techniques and technology. By the way, a word (or
two) on fortresses: they look cool and everything, but they can also make people resent you.
They're really only useful if you are afraid of your people.

Chapters 16-23: Throw parties for your people. Listen to your ministers (the smart ones) but
avoid brown-noses.

Chapters 24-26: Finally, Italy is not doing so great right now because its rulers didn't follow
Machiavelli's rules. They blame bad luck, but you can always prepare for luck, and they didn't.
Don't be like them. Be awesome.