Niccolò Machiavelli
Also known as Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
Florentine diplomat and political writer (1469 to 1527) who wrote The Prince.
At a glance
Main ideas
Effectual truth, Necessary evil, Virtù and Fortuna …
See all 5Books to start with
The Prince, Discourses on Livy, The Art of War …
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Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Machiavelli was a Florentine diplomat, author, philosopher and historian of the Italian Renaissance.
- He served the Florentine Republic in diplomatic and military affairs until the Medici returned to power in 1512.
- Falsely suspected of conspiracy, he was tortured and then retired to write.
- He is best known for The Prince, and has often been called the father of modern political philosophy and political science.
Why it matters
- The Prince made his name a byword for ruthless politics, while the Discourses on Livy is said to have paved the way for modern republicanism.
Key facts
- Born
- 3 May 1469, Florence1
- Died
- 21 Jun 1527, aged 58; buried in the Church of Santa Croce, Florence1
- Office
- Secretary to the second chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 15121
- Fall
- Removed when the Medici retook Florence in 1512; falsely implicated in a conspiracy and tortured1
- Published in his lifetime
- The Art of War was the only one of his works1
- Plays
- Including The Mandrake (La Mandragola) and Clizia, popular in his lifetime1
Main ideas
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Effectual truth1
Against Plato and Aristotle, rulers must seek the "effectual truth", not imaginary republics.
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Necessary evil1
Rulers may have to use fraud, deceit and violence when political necessity requires it.
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Virtù and Fortuna1
A leader's virtù, whatever quality keeps his state, is used to master fortune, which controls human affairs.
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Republics1
He preferred republics: they are more trustworthy and flexible, and public opinion is more reliable than a prince's.
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Two humors1
Every state holds the great, who wish to oppress, and the people, who do not; their conflict is at the heart of politics.
Books to start with
The line under a date fills as it gets older: empty when new, full at 2 years.
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The Prince1
Written around 1513; a manual for new princes on seizing and keeping power.
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Written around 1517; lessons on how a republic should be founded and structured.
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The Art of War1
Military science; written 1519 to 1520.
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Florentine Histories1
An eight-volume history of Florence commissioned by Giulio de' Medici; written 1520 to 1525.
Connections
Writes
Links
Sources
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