Niccolo Machiavelli

In the year 1512, the Medici family, its supporters, and the Spanish troops invaded Florence in order to reclaim what had once been theirs to rule over for some sixty years. Despite the strong republic that was in operation in Florence, the Medici defeated the army and dissolved the government. At this time, a man named Niccolo Machiavelli was Secretary of War for Florence under Piero Soderini, and Machiavelli was living prosperously. Soderini was, at that time, presiding over the republic of Florence after the fall of the Medici in 1494. The invasion of the Medici impacted Machiavelli immediately, as he was isolated from Florence. Machiavelli was then wrongly accused of planning against the Medici, and in 1513, he was put in prison and tortured for a certain amount of weeks.

Who was Niccolo Machiavelli, and why is he important to the history of this world? More importantly, why is he important to us? Not much is known about his childhood; regardless, his education was superb. In his youth, Machiavelli was a student of a famed Latin teacher named Paolo da Ronciglione. Although it has never been verified, historians assume that Machiavelli attended the University of Florence. The immensity of Machiavelli’s education is obvious to anyone through only a small glimpse at his works and writings. He was clearly also educated in grammar and rhetoric.

Machiavelli

Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” Niccolo Machiavelli was certainly precise in his terminology as he wrote and published “The Prince”, which is known as one of Machiavelli’s most famous works. This man was known for his ability to think and to write, and that ability in him is magnified in this work. One of Machiavelli’s most famous quotes from “The Prince” is, “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.” Machiavelli also brought up a very controversial point in declaring, “The ends justify the means”. In “The Prince”, Machiavelli brings up many points on tyranny, government, rulers, and kings, as well as presenting many arguments that are debatable and/or agreeable.

Machiavelli wrote this brilliant work in an attempt to retain his place in the Florentine government, as many of the previous officials were promoted under the Medici. After being tortured and imprisoned, Machiavelli had retired to his farm to write “The Prince” for Giuliano de'Medici, but unfortunately, Giuliano passed away before Machiavelli could get it into his hands. “The Prince” was now for Lorenzo de'Medici, and Lorenzo firmly refused to read it when it was given to him in 1516. However, “The Prince” lives on even until today for many to read, ponder, and enjoy.

After “The Prince” was unsuccessful, Machiavelli continued to create many other works, such as verse and poetry. In 1520, Cardinal Giulio de'Medici commissioned him to compile a History of Florence. The act was completed by Machiavelli in 1525 and presented to Giulio de'Medici, who now sat on a throne in Rome as Clement VII. However, Machiavelli’s hopes of being reinstated were all dashed when he died in 1527. Even though he never completed his goal of returning to government, Niccolo Machiavelli’s writings live on for us to understand today. Thereby, both questions which have been asked are answered: Niccolo Machiavelli was important to the history of the world and important to us because of his great understanding of humanism, government, and politics. Simply put, Machiavelli made a difference in this world because of his writings. His brilliance left a mark on history that cannot easily be rubbed off. Why should we study Machiavelli? Frankly, we should study Machiavelli because he was a genius. William Shakespeare stated: “Some achieve greatness”. Machiavelli was one of these.