Other+Renaissance+Writers+Facts+11-15

= = Back to Other Renaissance Writers =Niccolo Machiavelli = = =

**Background**
He was born in Florence. Although Niccolo went to school, most of his education came through books found in his own home. Machiavelli was self-motivated and as he grew up he was able to develop original ideas. His self-motivation helped him become successful as an adult. (Grimbly)

"Over the centuries Machiavelli became famous as a sinister and ruthless politician because of his philosophy." This philosophy gave him a bad reputation because it stated that a ruler could do whatever they needed to do to keep the power. Many historians suggest that his reputation was undeserved. "They point out that Machiavelli lived by his own ideas as a loyal and self-sacrificing servant of the government." (Carnagie)

**Accomplishments**
He gained a position in the Florentine government and in 1948 became second chancellor. It was a very important administrative role. This role gave him the opportunity to travel on diplomatic missions for Florence. (Grimbly)

He wrote //The Prince//. It described how a ruler must do whatever is necessary to stay in power. The qualities included ruthlessness and the use of cruelty and violence. The term "Machiavellian" is used to today to describe someone who is a schemer and manipulator. (Grimbly)

Many of Machiavelli's concepts in //The Prince// formed the basis of nineteenth-century liberalism. Liberalism is a political philosophy that advocates change for the good of the state and its citizens. "//The Prince// remains one of the most important political writings of Western civilization." (Carnagie)