1469-1527. Italian politician and author,
whose name is now synonymous with cunning and
cynical statecraft. In his most celebrated
political writings, Il principe/The Prince
1513 and Discorsi/Discourses 1531, he
discusses ways in which rulers can advance
the interests of their states (and
themselves) through an often amoral and
opportunistic manipulation of other people.
Machiavelli was born in Florence and was
second chancellor to the republic 1498-1512.
On the accession to power of the Medici 1512,
he was arrested and imprisoned on a charge of
conspiracy, but in 1513 was released to exile
in the country. The Prince, based on his
observations of Cesare Borgia, is a guide for
the future prince of a unified Italian state.
In L'Arte della guerra/The Art of War 1520 he
outlined the provision of an army for the
prince, and in Historie fiorentine/History of
Florence he analysed the historical
development of Florence until 1492. Among his
later works are the comedies La
Mandragola/The Mandrake 1524 and Clizia.