Machiavelli
Author of The Prince and founder of modern political science.
Life
Diplomat of the Republic
Machiavelli came from a declining noble family in Florence. From 1498 he served in the government of the Republic of Florence, went on several missions to France, the papal court and the court of Borgia, and oversaw the formation of a citizen militia.
Imprisoned
In 1512 the Medici family returned to power; he was dismissed, imprisoned and tortured, and after his release lived in retirement in the countryside. In 1513 he wrote The Prince, arguing that a ruler may, for the sake of the state, act free of the constraints of traditional morality, and that "it is safer to be feared than loved." He also wrote the Discourses on Livy and the Florentine Histories.
The Prince
In 1527 the republic was briefly restored, but because he had served the Medici he was not given office, and he died that same year.
Legacy
Machiavelli discussed politics separately from morality, founding modern political science; "Machiavellianism" later became a byword for cunning statecraft.
Major works & achievements
- The Prince
- Discourses on Livy
- Florentine Histories
Did you know? The Prince was published only after his death, and soon afterward the Church placed it on the Index of Forbidden Books.
Key dates
- 1498Becomes secretary of the Republic
- 1512Medici restoration; dismissed and imprisoned
- 1513Writes The Prince
- 1525Completes the Florentine Histories
- 1527Died