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'''History'''

'''History'''

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, musician, poet, and playwright who lived in Florence during the end of the middle ages.  He wrote his most famous work, ''The Prince in 1513'', and dedicated it to the powerful and wealthy [[Lorenzo De Medici]].  For over a decade, Italy had been experiencing the bloody Italian Wars—the country was war-torn and disunited.  The church of France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire battled for rule of Italy, as did the Italian city-states—Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples.  After studying in various cities, Machiavelli returned home to Florence in 1494 just in time to see the Medici family lose power in Florence.  That same year, France invaded Italy—the first of what would be many clashes with France throughout Machiavelli’s lifetime.

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, musician, poet, and playwright who lived in [[Florence]] during the end of the [[middle ages]].  He wrote his most famous work, ''The Prince in 1513'', and dedicated it to the powerful and wealthy [[Lorenzo De Medici]].  For over a decade, [[Italy]] had been experiencing the bloody [[Italian Wars]]—the country was war-torn and disunited.  The church of France, Spain, and the [[Holy Roman Empire]] battled for rule of Italy, as did the Italian city-states—Florence, Venice, Milan, and Naples.  After studying in various cities, Machiavelli returned home to Florence in 1494 just in time to see [[the Medici family]] lose power in Florence.  That same year, France invaded Italy—the first of what would be many clashes with France throughout Machiavelli’s lifetime.

Before becoming a writer, Machiavelli had a long career in government—a time in his life that would greatly influence his writing.  He worked as a Florentine chancellor, conveying often with Pope Alexander VI and King Louis XII, both notorious for their intrigues and bribery.  Machiavelli also worked for and greatly admired Pope Alexander’s son, [[Cesare Borgia]], a ruthless politician whose exploits Machiavelli later used as examples in ''The Prince''.  Although Borgia was corrupt and hated by many, in ''The Prince'', Machiavelli views Borgia as a leader capable of uniting Italy.  

Before becoming a writer, Machiavelli had a long career in government—a time in his life that would greatly influence his writing.  He worked as a Florentine chancellor, conveying often with [[Pope Alexander VI]] and [[King Louis XII]], both notorious for their intrigues and bribery.  Machiavelli also worked for and greatly admired Pope Alexander’s son, [[Cesare Borgia]], a ruthless politician whose exploits Machiavelli later used as examples in ''The Prince''.  Although Borgia was corrupt and hated by many, in ''The Prince'', Machiavelli views Borgia as a leader capable of uniting Italy.  

Machiavelli went on to help organize a Florentine army and serve [[Pope Julius II]], the “warrior pope.”  In 1512, the Medici family regained power, and Lorenzo De Medici became governor of Florence once again.  That same year, Machiavelli was falsely accused of participating in a rebellion plot, and imprisoned and tortured for three weeks.  After that incident, he decided to lay low for a while.  Taking a break from government work, he moved to the country and began writing.   

Machiavelli went on to help organize a Florentine army and serve [[Pope Julius II]], the “warrior pope.”  In 1512, the Medici family regained power, and Lorenzo De Medici became governor of Florence once again.  That same year, Machiavelli was falsely accused of participating in a rebellion plot, and imprisoned and tortured for three weeks.  After that incident, he decided to lay low for a while.  Taking a break from government work, he moved to the country and began writing.   

Traditionally, political writers had always considered there to be an ideal, a higher moral standard to which figures of authority should aspire.  Examples of what politicians should be like were always taken from supposed situations, and constructed from that lofty ideal.  Machiavelli, however, spoke in simpler terms.  He shattered the idea of a standard all together—instead using real-life, contemporary politicians as ideals.  The fact that many of his examples were greatly flawed and corrupt men did not seem to bother him.   

Traditionally, political writers had always considered there to be an ideal, a higher moral standard to which figures of authority should aspire.  Examples of what politicians should be like were always taken from supposed situations, and constructed from that lofty ideal.  Machiavelli, however, spoke in simpler terms.  He shattered the idea of a standard all together—instead using real-life, contemporary politicians as ideals.  The fact that many of his examples were greatly flawed and corrupt men did not seem to bother him.   

In ''The Prince'', the true test of whether a prince is worthy of imitation is his ability to lie, cheat and deceive his subjects—if he happened to gain their support along the way through trickery, then all the better.  Politicians are not required to be faithful or honest to their subjects, Machiavelli states, and, “a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.” Machiavelli does not see the benefit in going good, for he reasons that "hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.”

In ''The Prince'', the true test of whether a prince is worthy of imitation is his ability to lie, cheat and deceive his subjects—if he happened to gain their support along the way through trickery, then all the better.  Politicians are not required to be faithful or honest to their subjects, Machiavelli states, and, ''“a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.” '' Machiavelli does not see the benefit in going good, for he reasons that ''"hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil.”''

Machiavelli also takes a strong stance on human free will in his book.  At that time philosophers and religious leaders alike believed firmly in divine destination.  There was not much people could do to determine their own destinies; if something was God’s will, it would happen regardless of human will.   

Machiavelli also takes a strong stance on human free will in his book.  At that time philosophers and religious leaders alike believed firmly in divine destination.  There was not much people could do to determine their own destinies; if something was God’s will, it would happen regardless of human will.   

Eventually, Machiavelli did find his way back into politics, but it was not until after the death of Lorenzo De Medici, and the rise of his successor, Giulio.  When the Medici pope fell from power, and Rome was attacked by Charles V, Machiavelli also lost his position.  Because of his association with the De Medici family, Machiavelli was unable to regain an office of any kind.  He died not long after, on June 21, 1527.

Eventually, Machiavelli did find his way back into politics, but it was not until after the death of Lorenzo De Medici, and the rise of his successor, Giulio.  When the Medici pope fell from power, and Rome was attacked by Charles V, Machiavelli also lost his position.  Because of his association with the De Medici family, Machiavelli was unable to regain an office of any kind.  He died not long after, on June 21, 1527.

Conclusion

 

 

'''Conclusion'''

Machiavelli’s ''The Prince'', although received unfavorably during his lifetime, is still read and considered a classic today for its groundbreaking ideas.  Machiavelli wrote ''The Prince'' in a desperate attempt to inspire the leadership of his day to unite Italy and restore her honor and pride.  He saw that the efforts of Italian leaders in the past had failed miserably, and sought an entirely new solution.  His rejection of morals in government, however, proved to be the reason why, in the end, his writings were rejected.  The book can still be learned from today, however, for it is itself a piece of history, and its contents reflect one man’s effort to solve an entire country’s problems.

Machiavelli’s ''The Prince'', although received unfavorably during his lifetime, is still read and considered a classic today for its groundbreaking ideas.  Machiavelli wrote ''The Prince'' in a desperate attempt to inspire the leadership of his day to unite Italy and restore her honor and pride.  He saw that the efforts of Italian leaders in the past had failed miserably, and sought an entirely new solution.  His rejection of morals in government, however, proved to be the reason why, in the end, his writings were rejected.  The book can still be learned from today, however, for it is itself a piece of history, and its contents reflect one man’s effort to solve an entire country’s problems.