On May 3, 1469, Niccolo Machiavelli, arguably one of the greatest Italian Politicians of all time, was born. The young historian was born into a wealthy family of five, with whom he shared his love for reading. Known predominantly for his work The Prince, Machiavelli was one of the utmost writers of the Renaissance. He gained this title through hard work and determination that never seemed to be absent in his many different careers.
Little is known about the great Italian writer, Niccolo Machiavelli. He was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, where he grew up with his parents, brother and two sisters. They weren’t the wealthiest family, but that didn’t stop Machiavelli from chasing his dreams. He began receiving his education at the age …show more content…
His inspiration had come from his family who, having held high up positions in the city’s republic, had become prominent figures in Florence. In 1494 the Medici were driven out of power and replaced by Piero Soderini, “a man Machiavelli characterized as "good, but weak,"” “During this time, Machiavelli thrived under the patronage of the Florentine gonfaloniere (or chief administrator for life)” In 1498 he received the title, Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence and eventually found himself at the center of all political and diplomatic negotiations. Over the next thirteen years, Machiavelli carried out diplomatic missions to the central courts of Louis XII in France, Ferdinand II of Spain, and the pope in Rome.
In 1499, after returning from his fist political conference in France, Machiavelli found the republic on the verge of collapse. This was due to the selfish desires of one man, Cesare Borgia. When visiting Borgia in Sinigalia, Machiavelli witnessed his cruel revenge against his own soldiers. Yet, however cruel and terrifying Cesare Borgia was, Machiavelli found his sinister ways to be very effective. Borgia was a highly respected leader who successfully reserved his power over Sinigalia. Borgia seemed to control his city more than any good leader had in that time. Though Machiavelli developed an interest to Borgia’s customs he did not admire the man; only the way he ruled his …show more content…
“The Prince is an extended analysis of how to acquire and maintain political power”. In The Prince, Machiavelli includes information about principalities, types of armies, character and behavior and the political situation of Italy. Machiavelli’s inspiration for the book comes from his many experiences in serving under Florentines Republic. He expresses his outlook on ruling by stating “It is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both”. In other words Niccolo Machiavelli believes that in order for a ruler to maintain his or her power he must not only learn to be good but also how not to be. He explains this in chapter eighteen saying, “You must understand there are two ways of contending by law and force: the first is proper to men; the second to beasts;” What he means is that a leader must be as honorable as he is
Little is known about the great Italian writer, Niccolo Machiavelli. He was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, where he grew up with his parents, brother and two sisters. They weren’t the wealthiest family, but that didn’t stop Machiavelli from chasing his dreams. He began receiving his education at the age …show more content…
His inspiration had come from his family who, having held high up positions in the city’s republic, had become prominent figures in Florence. In 1494 the Medici were driven out of power and replaced by Piero Soderini, “a man Machiavelli characterized as "good, but weak,"” “During this time, Machiavelli thrived under the patronage of the Florentine gonfaloniere (or chief administrator for life)” In 1498 he received the title, Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence and eventually found himself at the center of all political and diplomatic negotiations. Over the next thirteen years, Machiavelli carried out diplomatic missions to the central courts of Louis XII in France, Ferdinand II of Spain, and the pope in Rome.
In 1499, after returning from his fist political conference in France, Machiavelli found the republic on the verge of collapse. This was due to the selfish desires of one man, Cesare Borgia. When visiting Borgia in Sinigalia, Machiavelli witnessed his cruel revenge against his own soldiers. Yet, however cruel and terrifying Cesare Borgia was, Machiavelli found his sinister ways to be very effective. Borgia was a highly respected leader who successfully reserved his power over Sinigalia. Borgia seemed to control his city more than any good leader had in that time. Though Machiavelli developed an interest to Borgia’s customs he did not admire the man; only the way he ruled his …show more content…
“The Prince is an extended analysis of how to acquire and maintain political power”. In The Prince, Machiavelli includes information about principalities, types of armies, character and behavior and the political situation of Italy. Machiavelli’s inspiration for the book comes from his many experiences in serving under Florentines Republic. He expresses his outlook on ruling by stating “It is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both”. In other words Niccolo Machiavelli believes that in order for a ruler to maintain his or her power he must not only learn to be good but also how not to be. He explains this in chapter eighteen saying, “You must understand there are two ways of contending by law and force: the first is proper to men; the second to beasts;” What he means is that a leader must be as honorable as he is