MACHIAVELLI

Niccolo Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy. He is known for his phamplet, THE PRINCE to gain influence on the Medici family.

Machiavelli entered the Florentine government as a secretary. He rose quickly in his position and met the important politicians in carrying out his diplomatic missions. Among these were the Pope and the King of France. Borgia, the cruel and cunning pope had so much impact on him that despite the fact he did not like his policies, he supported him in order to unite the Florentines. Unfortunately the MEdici family took over and dismissed him from office. He attempted to gain the favor of the Medici by writing a book of what he thought were the Medici's goals and dedicating it to them. And so The Prince was written for that purpose. Unfortunately, the Medici didn't agree with what the book said. The public was outraged and thought how cruel can a man get to write such book.

A few years later the Medici were kicked out of Florence. The republic was re-established, and Machiavelli ran to retake the office he had left so many years ago. But the reputation that The Prince had established made people think his philosophy was like the Medici, so he was not elected. And here the sharp downhill of his life began. His health began to fail him, and he died months later, in 1527.