Machiavelli - Historian, Political Thinker and Writer

Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. His mother was Bartolomea de Strefano Nelli and his father Bernardo di Niccolo Machiavelli, was a lawyer. Bernardo had a small collection of books that included roman and Greek Philosophers and Italian history. Machiavelli became well educated in both the Italian and Latin Classics.

In the early 1490's, Machiavelli and others became concerned with the historical and political problems in Florence. With much persistence and pushing from his father, Machiavelli began work for the governments as a clerk and ambassador. That same year the ruling family for the past sixty years, the Medici family was pushed from power and the republic was restored in Florence.

In 1494, shortly after the execution of Girolamo Savonarola, the Great Council of Florence made Machiavelli a secretary in the council responsible for diplomatic and military matters.

Over the next 14 years, Machiavelli's diplomatic duties took him to France to the court of Louis XII, to Ferdinand II of Aragon and to Rome. He preferred a citizen militia for the cities defense and in 1509 with Machiavelli's guidance the citizen militia if Florence defeated Pisa. However in August 1512, the Florentine Republic fell. Aided by Pope Julius II, the Medici family used Spanish troops to defeat the militias.

The Medici family returned to power and Machiavelli was fired by Lorenzo de' Medici. In 1513, he was accused of conspiracy and arrested. He denied any such conspiracy, and then was tortured by rope before finally being release. Not being able to return to public office, Machiavelli retired to Sant' Andrea in Percussina and focused on writing.

During this time Machiavelli write, "The Prince" his most famous piece of work. Dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici, "The Prince" is a guidebook for rulers, focusing on gaining, keeping and centralizing power. The book did not get his political position back however, in 1420 Giuldo de' Medici gave him a job at the University of Florence, writing a history of Florence.

In May 1527, the Florentine Republic once again overthrew the Medici family. Machiavelli longed to return to his previous position within the government, but he was not trusted because of his relations with the Medici family.

With his health steadily declining and his political life in shambles, Machiavelli died on June 21, 1527 a few miles out of Florence. His resting place is not known however, a tomb was placed at the Church of Santa Croc, in his honor.

The writing oh the tomb is in Latin and reads, "TANTO NOMINI NULLUM PAR ELOGIUM." When translated is can mean, "For so great a man, no praise is adequate" or" No elegy is equal to such a name."

Other writing by Machiavelli includes:

La Mandragola

The Art of War

Florentine Histories

Discourses of Titus Livius

The Life of Castruccio Castrancani of Lucca

History of the Affairs of Lucca

Sources:
www.open2.net
emachiavelli.com

www.biography.comwww.historyguide.org