About the Author
Born to a citizen family of Florence, Machiavelli served as secretary and second chancellor to the Florentine Republic from 1498 to 1512. During his tenure Machiavelli worked as an official and diplomat, traveling on missions to Louis XII, Emperor Maximilian, and Cesare Borgia. Machiavelli's political fortune changed in 1512 when the Spanish invaded Florence and helped to reinstate the Medici, the ruling family of Florence prior to 1494. As a consequence Machiavelli, who worked for the same government that deposed the Medici in 1494, was tried for conspiracy, imprisoned, and tortured. After years of political exile, during which he wrote The Prince, Machiavelli reentered public life in the 1520s. Machiavelli died at the age of 58.
LitCharts guides for works by Niccolò Machiavelli
Explore LitCharts literature guides for works by Niccolò Machiavelli. Each guide includes a full summary, detailed analysis, and helpful resources for studying Niccolò Machiavelli's writing.
In The Prince Niccolò Machiavelli shrewdly outlines the strategies that a ruler must follow to maintain his position and govern his state. With a clear and direct authorial voice, Machiavelli empl...
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