Introducing Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, he went through his childhood peacefully with no regrets while receiving the best humanist schooling of his day. After returning to Florence in 1494, Machiavelli witnessed the oligarchic rulers of Florence, who ruled for many decades, fall. The French invaded Florence, the Medici’s were banished in disgrace by angry citizens. The republic lasted from 1494 to 1512. Its effective ruler in the first four years was the Dominican preacher Girolamo Savonarola - who had held no former political position. Machiavelli knew what he wanted to do in life, and one of his main political experience in his youth was watching Savonarola (the ruler of Florence 1494-1498) from afar.

Soon after Savanarola was executed, In June of 1498, Machiavelli’s chance came. Possibly through influential humanist friends of his father who were involved in the government. Machiavelli was elected into the Florentine Government by the Great Council to an important post in the civil service, Second Chancellor. One month after his election, he was appointed secretary to the Ten of War, to be in charge of Florence’s foreign policy and military. In his role as chancellor, he was sent to France on a diplomatic missions in the 1500‘s. Italy at the time became the scene of intense political conflict. The city-states of Florence and nearby regions fought for control of Italy, while the Papacy, France, Spain, and the Roman Empire did the same. Pope Alexander VI establish his son, Cesare Borgia, as the duke of Romagna. Borgia began a large military campaign to carve out his own domain. Borgia worried the Florentine government considerably, and, in October of 1502, they sent Machiavelli to negotiate with the Duke. Borgia influenced Machiavelli’s political thought, but mostly shaped Machiavelli’s opinions about leadership. Borgia was a cunning, cruel, and vicious politician, and many people despised him. Nevertheless, Machiavelli believed Borgia had the traits necessary for any leader who would seek to unify Italy.

In 1500, Machiavelli married Marietta Corsini, with whom he had six children. Three years later, Pope Alexander VI became sick and died. Alexander VI’s successor, Pius III died after less than a month in office. Borgia had supported Julius II, an enemy of Borgia’s, in return for a promise to appoint him head of the Papal armies. Instead, Julius II later broke his promise and banished Borgia.

Meanwhile, now under the control of Julius II, Machiavelli helped raise and train a Florentine civil militia (Nine Militia) in order to reduce Florence’s dependence on mercenaries. At first he was very effective, uniting internal factions and eventually recovering Pisa, lost in 1494. Pope Julius then recovered the former Papal protectorates of Perugia and Bologna. Machiavelli feared what his ambitions had in store for Florence. Although at the same time, Machiavelli knew that if anyone could, it was he that could unite Italy (one of Machiavelli’s life goals). In 1512, the Medici family regained control of Florence, the Republic was overthrown and Machiavelli was dismissed from office. The Medici, under Giuliano II, reinstalled by the Spanish in 1513. The Family remained in power until 1737. A year