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Niccolo
Machiavelli was born to a poor aristocratic family in 1469. Very little is
known of his childhood because no adequate records exist. It is apparent that
he was an avid reader, especially of the Greek classics. Machiavelli’s public
life began in 1498 when he was named chancellor and secretary to the second
chancellery of the Florentine Republic. During his time as chancellor he was
able to visit foreign countries on 23 occasions. Twice he was able to visit the
court of Rome and 4 times he visited the French king. In 1502 Machiavelli was
married to Marietta Corsini with whom he had four sons and two daughters.
Unfortunately, in 1512 the Medici was allowed to return to power in Florence
due to the Spanish sack of Prato. Machiavelli was removed from office and
thrown in jail. While in jail he was tortured and accused of conspiracy against
the Medici. He was innocent and began to write. Machiavelli’s writing include: Discourse
on the First Ten Books of Titus Livius, The Art of war and The Life of
Castruccio Castracini.
His most famous book was without a doubt, The Prince. Following his writing years,
Machiavelli was commissioned by Pope Clement VII (a Medici) to inspect
Florentine’s fortifications and by Francesco Guicciardini concerning two minor
diplomatic issues. Machiavelli died in June of 1527, his beloved Florence
destroyed at the hands of the Pope and Charles VII.
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