Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Niccolò Machiavelli

Niccolò Machiavelli – By Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Niccolò Machiavelli

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli; also called Nicholas Machiavel was an Italian diplomat, author, philosopher and historian. He lived during the Renaissance period. Machiavelli was born on 3rd May 1469 and died on 21st June 1527.

He is best known for his political treatise ‘The Prince’(II Principe), written about 1515 but not published until 1532. Machiavelli has often been called the father of modern political philosophy and political science.

For many years he served as a senior official in the Florentine Republic with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. Machiavelli was a great writer who wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry.

He worked as secretary to the second Chancery of the republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, when the Medici were out of power. Now let’s look at 10 remarkable facts about Niccolò Machiavelli

1. He Lived in A Tumultuous Era

Machiavelli was born on 3rd May 1469 in Florence, Italy. He was the third child and first son of attorney Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli and his wife, Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli.

He began working under a banker from 1487 until 1498. In 1498, he was named the chancellor and chief executive officer of the government of Florence. As a chancellor, he was assigned responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs during an era of tumultuous political tragedy.

King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy in 1494. This was followed by an invasion by Spain and Austria. It resulted in nearly 400 years of rule by outsiders.

2. Machiavelli Did Not Witness the Success of His Greatest Work

Cover page of 1550 edition of Machiavelli’s The Prince and The Life of Castruccio Castracani from Lucca. omslagsbild. – By Niccolò Machiavelli – Wikipedia

Machiavelli observed and assimilated the laws of the political game as a diplomat and academic at a time of continual conflict. After being fired from his position as a diplomat and jail, he resorted to academia.

He was searching for ideas in the Latin writings of antiquity’s political philosophers. He had finished the first draft of The Prince, a guide for those who crave power, by the end of 1513.

It went on to become his most famous work. The book offered suggestions to aspiring politicians for grabbing office as well as counsel to ruling princes for clinging to it.

Ironically, Machiavelli wrote the book with the Medici in mind, trying to win their favor once more. It is still unknown whether the target audience ever read it since Machiavelli never witnessed the success of The Prince. Five years after the author’s passing, it was printed in 1532.

3. The Pope Banned ‘The Prince’

Pope Clement VII, by Sebastiano del Piombo – Wikipedia

When Machiavelli lost his job, he followed the example of most Renaissance thinkers and looked for a patron. The scholar was grateful for the help of Pope Clement VII, a Medici who had been chosen in 1523.

The Florentine Histories, one of Machiavelli’s longest works, was even ordered by the pope and delivered in 1526. The papacy’s opinion of Machiavelli’s writing, however, changed after ‘The Prince’ was published after his death in 1532.

Pope Paul IV made sure to include ‘The Prince’ in the first Index of Forbidden Books he created in Rome in 1557 because it promoted dishonesty and unethical tactics.

4. Niccolò Machiavelli Collaborated With Leonardo da Vinci

Machiavelli looked to Leonardo da Vinci, the pinnacle of the Renaissance, for assistance in 1503. This was while he was attempting to defend Florence from its adversaries.

According to the 1939 biography of Leonardo, the two “seem to have become intimate” when they met in Florence. Between 1502 and 1503, Machiavelli employed his influence to secure commissions for Leonardo and even designated him Florence’s military engineer.

Machiavelli hoped to use Leonardo’s creativity to conquer Pisa, a young city-state that Florentine authorities had long desired to conquer.

5. An Enemy of The Powerful Medici Family

The Medici dynasty, which was de facto in charge of Florence, had a significant influence on Machiavelli’s life and writings. Machiavelli assumed command of the city’s diplomatic affairs in 1498 when he was only 29 years old. He was even appointed head of the Second Chancery.

The Medici family, the most notorious power brokers in Renaissance Italy, had been driven out of Florence in 1494. His main worry was that they may return. To hold them at bay, Machiavelli directed the hiring and instruction of an official militia.

Nonetheless, the Medici, who were assisted by Rome’s papal militia, overran his army. Machiavelli was fired and then tortured for no apparent reason when the Medici retook Florence in 1512.

6. Niccolò Machiavelli Believed in A Just Government

According to academic Erica Benner, despite his image as being amoral, Machiavelli wasn’t. ‘The Prince’ openly urged politicians to accept and offer bribes, commit fraud, make threats, and even kill, if necessary.

Benner argued in ‘The Guardian’ that Machiavelli understood that even rulers had to uphold some sense of justice. He understood that the pursuit of power is accompanied by a lack of morality.

However, he also understood that without respect for the law, society devolves into anarchy. As a civil servant, he had been one of the republic’s staunchest defenders.

7. Niccolò Machiavelli Died On 21st June 1527

Machiavelli was imprisoned in 1513 when the Medici accused him of plotting against them. Despite being subjected to torture, he denied involvement and was released after three weeks.

Machiavelli then retired to his farm estate at Sant ‘Andrea in Percussina. There, he devoted himself to studying and writing his political treatises. 58-year-old Machiavelli passed away on June 21, 1527, after receiving his final rites. He was buried at the Church of Santa Croce in Florence.

8. He Is a Theatrical Stock Character of Evil

Bust of Niccolò Machiavelli in the garden of Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy – By Krzysztof Golik – Wikimedia Commons

By the 16th century, Machiavelli’s name had become associated with crookedness in English thanks to his rapid rise to fame. It came to be used to describe a dramatic genre in Elizabethan theater. It described a con artist with an insatiable appetite for gain and unrestrained ambition.

In the prologue for ‘The Jew of Malta, playwright Christopher Marlowe introduces his villain as “a sound Machiavill.” Even William Shakespeare used the term as a derogatory shorthand.

“Am I politic? Subtle? Am I a Machiavel?” one character in The Merry Wives of Windsor asks rhetorically, before adding an indignant, “No!”.

9. Niccolò Is Considered the Father of Modern Political Science

Machiavelli’s ideas had a profound impact on politics throughout the Western world. After 500 years, his legacy continues in political life across the world.

‘The Prince’ was accused of having inspired Henry VIII’s defiance of the papacy. A copy was in the possession of the Spanish king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

‘The Prince’ was later blamed for having incited Queen Catherine de Medici to order the massacre of 2,000 rebel Protestants at the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre.

10. Machiavelli Has Pop Culture Influence

Assassins Creed Tribute Photo by Thánh Kiệt Lý from Pixabay

Machiavelli makes an appearance in the popular historical video games Assassin’s Creed II (2009) and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010). He is portrayed as a member of the secret society of Assassins.

Several TV dramas centered around the Renaissance era have also made us of Machiavelli. This goes to show just how influential Niccolò was. These dramas include The Tudors (2007-2010) and The Borgias (2011-2013).