By skillfully using his father's Papal office and French military support, he created a state out of nothing in the Romagna region. He personally displayed all kinds of ruthlessness, cunning, and strategic skill required to hold on to his state on the field. He made it a priority to build his own army and wisely liquidated unreliable mercenaries. By shifting the burden of oppression and violence onto people like his sub-administrator Remirro de Orco, he positioned himself in the eyes of the public as a clean ruler who is both feared and respected. Only due to misfortunes completely outside human control, such as the sudden death of his father and his own being critically ill at the same time, was he unable to maintain his empire. Despite this, he is shown by Machiavelli as a perfect object of imitation for every leader who establishes a state from scratch.
