Niccolò Machiavelli. The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli’s most famous work is the treatise “The Prince” (Il Principe). Written in 1513 (and dedicated to Lorenzo de’ Medici in 1515), the book was an appeal to unite the fragmented cities of Italy. In this work, the author provides numerous examples from the lives of rulers of Italian principalities, city-states, and Popes of that era. In 1559, “The Prince” was placed on the Catholic Church’s Index of Forbidden Books (Index Librorum Prohibitorum). This was because Machiavelli developed a theory of a secular state, free from the constraints of the Church. He argued that any means-including violence, deception, and betrayal – could be justified if they served the purpose of strengthening power and the state. In this treatise, Machiavelli covers not only the art of governance but also the essential qualities of a ruler, their relationship with advisors and society, as well as military leadership and tactics for conquering other territories.