Niccolo Machiavelli
The Prince, written by Niccolò Machiavelli in 1513, is the foundational work of modern political science that separates politics from morality and advocates for control based on power. The book explains through pragmatic methods how a state is established, expanded, and maintained; it advises leaders to be cruel and cunning when necessary.
The necessity for the emergence of a capable (virtù-possessing) prince who can end foreign invasions and establish a new, stable, and centralized state structure to rescue Italy from its weak and divided state.
The historical geography of Italy, divided into states of various sizes and open to the interventions of foreign powers (France, Spain) (Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples, Papal States).
Late 15th and early 16th century (Renaissance Period).
A ruthless and dangerous arena of power in Renaissance Italy, churned by intrigue, war, betrayal, and political instability, where moral rules have been replaced by cold pragmatism.
Proceeding through the first-person singular (Machiavelli himself); a direct address that is didactic, analytical, detached from sentiment, and examines historical and contemporary events with clinical realism.
There is no immutable moral law that governs the world and states; in pursuing a goal, the leader (prince) must be able to depart from goodness when necessary and must execute evil coolly, all at once, and at the right time. Success depends on the ability (virtù) to adapt to the changing nature of circumstances (Fortuna) and the centralization of power in the hands of the ruler.
A transitional period where religious institutions (the Papacy) are massive secular and political actors, mercenary commanders (condottieri) determine the fate of countries, and feudal loyalties are weakening while absolutist monarchies destined to ensure national unity are on the rise.
Characters are arranged at equal intervals on a circle; you can read the relationship type and dynamics by clicking on the lines.
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The relationship between the Pope and his unbounded son is more than a blood bond; it is a partnership for building a state. Alexander uses the religious and secular influence of the Church as a tool to strengthen his son. Cesare, in turn, solidifies with his own military skill the conquest that he could not have begun without his father's support.
When Pope Alexander's son, called Cesare Borgia by the people, was invading the Romagna, I had the opportunity to discuss this matter with the Archbishop of Rouen at Nantes.
The Orsinis, an allied force initially hired for Cesare's conquests, form an alliance against the prince out of fear of his growing power. Cesare, in order to crush this rebellion, lures them into a bloody trap by giving them a false sense of security. Both sides used each other for their own interests and betrayed one another at the first opportunity.
The Orsinis, who realized—albeit a bit late—that the rise of the Duke and the Church would be their own downfall... the Duke deceived them with a false peace at Magione and had them killed at Senigallia.
To ensure order in the Romagna, Cesare deliberately appoints his ruthless administrator Remirro de Orco with full authority. After order is established through violence, he betrays him and has him executed in the town square to appease the hatred of the people; it is a relationship based on subordination but one of one-sided exploitation.
Then, at the first convenient opportunity, one morning in Cesena, he had him cut in two and displayed in the town square with a wooden block and a bloody knife beside him.
A relationship based on mutual concessions between a short-sighted King who wants to establish sovereignty in Italy and a cunning Pope looking for land for his son. The King, just to obtain a political annulment decree, disrupted the strategic balance and strengthened the Pope, which accelerated the collapse of French dominance in Italy.
Not only did [Alexander] not oppose this, but he also made things easier by annulling King Louis's first marriage.
Two leaders clashing for the control of Italy. Julius first forms an alliance with France to crush the Venetians; once that is done, he stabs them in the back by forming the Holy League to drive the French out of Italy. It is an unstable power struggle based entirely on military and momentary interest.
Julius not only walked this path... but also set out to crush the Venetians and drive the French out of Italy.
A former state official who presents hard truths instead of the praise of classic flatterers, and a ruler from whom help is expected. Machiavelli sells his wisdom, hoping for a place in the Medici court and a decisive move for the liberation of Italy.
Those who wish to win the favor of a Prince are accustomed to appearing before him with the gifts they value most or that they think will please him most... I have found this to be the most valuable gift I can offer Your Highness.
An oppressive bond imposed upon the people by a dictator of non-noble origin who came to power by betraying his people and slaughtering the city's notables. This regime, lacking love or honor, relies entirely on military power and psychological terror.
One morning, Agathocles assembled the people and the Senate of Syracuse... and at a given signal, his soldiers put all the senators and the richest citizens to the sword.
The destruction of the bond of trust between uncle and nephew for the sake of political ambition. Oliverotto repays his uncle, who raised and nurtured him, with ingratitude, exploiting the vulnerability born of his uncle's mercy by slaughtering him and the city's nobility at a banquet.
Uncle Giovanni never failed in his duty toward his nephew... But the soldiers, springing from their hiding places, put Giovanni and all those with him to the sword.
A leader who keeps his army occupied under religious pretexts, training them through constant warfare to ensure their respect, and his instrument. The army is captivated by its leader's grandeur and victories.
Under the cloak of religion... he also kept the minds of the Castilian lords occupied, for they never even thought of rebelling, as they were intent on warfare.
