Niccolò Machiavelli

About

Niccolò Machiavelli was a renowned Italian philosopher, diplomat, and author born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy. He served as a senior official in the Florentine Republic, handling diplomatic and military affairs from 1498 to 1512. Machiavelli's diplomatic career was marked by his involvement in shaping political strategies during a tumultuous period in Italian history. After the Medici family returned to power in 1512, he was dismissed and briefly imprisoned, leading him to focus on writing. Machiavelli is best known for his seminal work, The Prince, written in 1513 but published posthumously in 1532. This treatise on political philosophy explores the tactics a ruler might use to maintain power, often interpreted as advocating ruthless pragmatism. Machiavelli also wrote On the Art of War and several plays, such as The Mandrake. He is considered the father of modern political science due to his realistic approach to politics, separating it from moral and ethical considerations. Machiavelli died on June 21, 1527, in Florence, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence political thought worldwide.