| − | 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. |