Biographical Sketch of Niccolò Machiavelli
Steve Amoia
September 27, 2008
Niccolò Machiavelli was born on 03 May 1469 in the city-state of Florence, in what is now present day Italy. His father was named Bernardo, and was a lawyer by profession. His mother was named Bartolomea. If we examine the scope and detail of his future writings, he most likely studied Latin, military history, and classical literature during his scholastic years. He was a very educated and learned man.
Early Career in the Republic of Florence
Not much is known about his youth; however, he lived during a time of significant political and social upheaval. Until they were expelled in 1474, the Medici family ruled the city-state of Florence with an iron hand. He was not a prince or nobility. He analyzed strategies of gaining power, but did not have positions of great influence. He observed with a keen understanding of human nature, along with the unique period of time (Renaissance Florence) when he lived.
When Florence returned to a Republic in 1474, Signor Machiavelli was employed in his first government position as a clerk. His intellect was recognized early, and he was appointed to a special council for diplomatic and military affairs. Both would become keen interests for the rest of his life. Beginning in 1499, and for many years to follow, he was sent as a diplomat to Spain, France, and the Vatican. He would confer with King Ferdinand of Aragon, King Louis XII, and Pope Julius II (who in those days was also a military commander). During these travels, he held the official titles of Secretary of the Second Chancery, along with Secretary to the Ten of Liberty and Peace. For students of American politics, parallels with the name of "Secretary" may be seen in members of the President´s Cabinet.
From 1503 to 1506, Signor Machiavelli was the head of the Florentine militia whose task was to guard the city. He would later write about this period in his I Discorsi (The Discourses), along with his strong feelings against mercenaries. Due to his foreign travels, along with his exposure to the inner workings of the Florentine Republic, he was able to observe important people and events. These experiences would later serve as the source for his famous writings.
Arrested by the Medici Family and Expelled
When the Medici returned to power in 1512, Machiavelli´s life changed dramatically. The Republic of Florence ended, and Machiavelli was arrested under the charge of conspiracy against the Medici family. He was tortured, in the manner of that day, on the dreaded rack. He pleaded his innocence, and was later exonerated. From that point, his world was not of Kings and Popes. It became one of voluntary solitude and exile from his former life; however, it became a period when he would write his treasures of literature.
"When evening comes, I return home [from work and from the local tavern] and go to my study. On the threshold I strip naked, taking off my muddy, sweaty workday clothes, and put on the robes of court and palace, and in this graver dress I enter the courts of the ancients and am welcomed by them, and there I taste the food that alone is mine, and for which I was born. And there I make bold to speak to them and ask the motives of their actions, and they, in their humanity reply to me. And for the space of four hours I forget the world, remember no vexation, fear poverty no more, tremble no more at death; I pass indeed into their world."
Source: Niccolò Machiavelli, Wikipedia.
In 1515, he finished "Il Principe," which would become his calling card in World History. He dedicated the book to Lorenzo il Magnifico (the Magnificent), who was the grandson of Cosimo the Elder. Ironically, in 1520, he would be given a commission by the Medici´s to write the history of Florence. This project took him five years to complete, and was called "Le Istorie Fiorentine." Two years later, he died in his beloved Florence.
Prolific Writer of Many Themes
Here is a list of some of his most famous works:
The Art of War (L´arte della Guerra) 1519-1520. Theme: War and military tactics.
The Discourses of the first Ten Books of Titus Livius (I Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio), 1512-1517, 3 volumes. Theme: How to form and manage a republic.
The Discourse of the Reformation of the State of Florence. (Discorso sopra il riformare lo stato di Firenze), 1520. Theme: Reformation of Florence.
The Florentine Histories (Le Istorie Fiorentine) 1521-1525. Commissioned by the Medici Family. Theme: Detailed history spanning over 1000 years of Florentine history.
The Mandrake Root (La Mandragola), 1513. Theme: A comedic novel.
The Prince (Il Principe) 1515. His seminal work in terms of popularity and analytical discussion. Theme: Realistic advice for a prince, political leader, or those who aspire to be. This book has a primary emphasis upon principalities. Ironically, he dedicated this book to Lorenzo the Magnificent (Medici). He never held a position of power with the Medici family.
Famous Quote
"Nasce da questo una disputa, s´e´ gli è meglio essere amato che temuto o e converso. Rispondesi che si vorrebbe essere l´uno e l´altro; ma perché e´ gli è difficile accozzarli insieme, è molto più sicuro essere temuto che amato, quando si abbi a mancare dell´uno de´ dua."
Il Principe, XVII.
"Born of this a quarrel, is it better to be loved than feared or the converse. You could say that it would be better to be both: but because it is difficult to bring them together, it is much more safer to be feared than loved, when one has to lack either of the two."
The Prince, Chapter 17, translation by Steve Amoia.
Advisor. Behavioral analyst. Brilliant writer. Clerk. Counselor. Diplomat. Friend and foe of the Medici. Military Historian. Observer of the human condition. Philosopher. Playright. Poet. Political observer. Republican. A true son of Florence. During his life, Signor Machiavelli wore many hats. Five hundred years later, political and military historians still benefit from his writings. Not to mention the rest of us.
Further Reading
Machiavelli on the Net by Timo Laine. I would encourage you to visit this excellent resource about Machiavelli, along with online links to many of his works.
Early Career in the Republic of Florence
Not much is known about his youth; however, he lived during a time of significant political and social upheaval. Until they were expelled in 1474, the Medici family ruled the city-state of Florence with an iron hand. He was not a prince or nobility. He analyzed strategies of gaining power, but did not have positions of great influence. He observed with a keen understanding of human nature, along with the unique period of time (Renaissance Florence) when he lived.
When Florence returned to a Republic in 1474, Signor Machiavelli was employed in his first government position as a clerk. His intellect was recognized early, and he was appointed to a special council for diplomatic and military affairs. Both would become keen interests for the rest of his life. Beginning in 1499, and for many years to follow, he was sent as a diplomat to Spain, France, and the Vatican. He would confer with King Ferdinand of Aragon, King Louis XII, and Pope Julius II (who in those days was also a military commander). During these travels, he held the official titles of Secretary of the Second Chancery, along with Secretary to the Ten of Liberty and Peace. For students of American politics, parallels with the name of "Secretary" may be seen in members of the President´s Cabinet.
From 1503 to 1506, Signor Machiavelli was the head of the Florentine militia whose task was to guard the city. He would later write about this period in his I Discorsi (The Discourses), along with his strong feelings against mercenaries. Due to his foreign travels, along with his exposure to the inner workings of the Florentine Republic, he was able to observe important people and events. These experiences would later serve as the source for his famous writings.
Arrested by the Medici Family and Expelled
When the Medici returned to power in 1512, Machiavelli´s life changed dramatically. The Republic of Florence ended, and Machiavelli was arrested under the charge of conspiracy against the Medici family. He was tortured, in the manner of that day, on the dreaded rack. He pleaded his innocence, and was later exonerated. From that point, his world was not of Kings and Popes. It became one of voluntary solitude and exile from his former life; however, it became a period when he would write his treasures of literature.
"When evening comes, I return home [from work and from the local tavern] and go to my study. On the threshold I strip naked, taking off my muddy, sweaty workday clothes, and put on the robes of court and palace, and in this graver dress I enter the courts of the ancients and am welcomed by them, and there I taste the food that alone is mine, and for which I was born. And there I make bold to speak to them and ask the motives of their actions, and they, in their humanity reply to me. And for the space of four hours I forget the world, remember no vexation, fear poverty no more, tremble no more at death; I pass indeed into their world."
Source: Niccolò Machiavelli, Wikipedia.
In 1515, he finished "Il Principe," which would become his calling card in World History. He dedicated the book to Lorenzo il Magnifico (the Magnificent), who was the grandson of Cosimo the Elder. Ironically, in 1520, he would be given a commission by the Medici´s to write the history of Florence. This project took him five years to complete, and was called "Le Istorie Fiorentine." Two years later, he died in his beloved Florence.
Prolific Writer of Many Themes
Here is a list of some of his most famous works:
The Art of War (L´arte della Guerra) 1519-1520. Theme: War and military tactics.
The Discourses of the first Ten Books of Titus Livius (I Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio), 1512-1517, 3 volumes. Theme: How to form and manage a republic.
The Discourse of the Reformation of the State of Florence. (Discorso sopra il riformare lo stato di Firenze), 1520. Theme: Reformation of Florence.
The Florentine Histories (Le Istorie Fiorentine) 1521-1525. Commissioned by the Medici Family. Theme: Detailed history spanning over 1000 years of Florentine history.
The Mandrake Root (La Mandragola), 1513. Theme: A comedic novel.
The Prince (Il Principe) 1515. His seminal work in terms of popularity and analytical discussion. Theme: Realistic advice for a prince, political leader, or those who aspire to be. This book has a primary emphasis upon principalities. Ironically, he dedicated this book to Lorenzo the Magnificent (Medici). He never held a position of power with the Medici family.
Famous Quote
"Nasce da questo una disputa, s´e´ gli è meglio essere amato che temuto o e converso. Rispondesi che si vorrebbe essere l´uno e l´altro; ma perché e´ gli è difficile accozzarli insieme, è molto più sicuro essere temuto che amato, quando si abbi a mancare dell´uno de´ dua."
Il Principe, XVII.
"Born of this a quarrel, is it better to be loved than feared or the converse. You could say that it would be better to be both: but because it is difficult to bring them together, it is much more safer to be feared than loved, when one has to lack either of the two."
The Prince, Chapter 17, translation by Steve Amoia.
Advisor. Behavioral analyst. Brilliant writer. Clerk. Counselor. Diplomat. Friend and foe of the Medici. Military Historian. Observer of the human condition. Philosopher. Playright. Poet. Political observer. Republican. A true son of Florence. During his life, Signor Machiavelli wore many hats. Five hundred years later, political and military historians still benefit from his writings. Not to mention the rest of us.
Further Reading
Machiavelli on the Net by Timo Laine. I would encourage you to visit this excellent resource about Machiavelli, along with online links to many of his works.