Niccolo Machiavelli (May 3, 1469 June 22, 1527)

Son of Bernardo di Niccolo Machiavelli (lawyer of some repute) and Bartolommea di

Stefano Nelli
Machiavellis life is divided into three periods each of which are concurrent with the
important eras in the history of Florence.
Youth (1469-1494): Greatnes of Florence as an Italian power under the guidance of
Lorenzo de Medici, II Magnifico.
Office (1914-1512): The downfall of the Medici (The Monk Savonarola took over but was
later excommunicated June 1497 and in 1498 after being charged of treason and heresy by
Florentine authorities, he was tortured and burnt to death)
(Lorenzo did not have the economic ability of his predecessors and was a tyrant and a
hedonist, which hurt him in foreign affairs and lost acceptance of the Medicis rule) At this
time Machiavelli entered public service of the free Republic of Florence. After serving four
years in one of the public offices he was appointed Chancellor and Secretary to the Second
Chancery, the Ten of Liberty and Peace in which he took a leading part in the affairs of the
Republic.
Literature and Death (1512-1527) The Medicis return
Upon the Medicis return Machiavelli lost his post in the Florentine government on
November 7 1512. And he was forbidden to leave Tuscany for a year and enter City Hall. In
February 1513 he was accused of being a member of a conspiracy to overthrow the Medici.
He was imprisoned and tortured. Eventually he was found innocent and was released from
prison on the occasion of Giovanni de Medicis election as Pope Leo X. He then retired in
San Casciano and devoted himself to literature. During this period he wrote letters to the
Medici and the Pope pleading for reinstatement, but to no avail. He received a minor post in
1526. When the Medici were overthrown again Machiavelli lost his post this time because
he was pro medici
The Prince was published 5 years after Machiavellis Death in 1557; Pope Paul IV placed the
book on the Index Expurgatorious (books prohibited by the Catholic Church)
The little book as it was called was dedicated to the Grandson of Lorenzo de Medici, II
Magnifico who had the same name, Lorenzo DiPiero De Medici.
The Prince acts as a handbook that gives historical evidences to policies, a prince should
take in statescraft and maintaining relations in his principality.