The Prince | Chapter II

Chapter II

Of Hereditary Princedoms

OF REPUBLICS I shall not now speak, having elsewhere spoken of them at length. Here I shall treat exclusively of Princedoms, and, filling in the outline above traced out, shall proceed to examine how such States are to be governed and maintained.

I say, then, that hereditary States, accustomed to the family of their Prince, are maintained with far less difficulty than new States, since all that is required is that the Prince shall not depart from the usages of his ancestors, trusting for the rest to deal with events as they arise. So that if an hereditary Prince be of average address, he will always maintain himself in his Princedom, unless deprived of it by some extraordinary and irresistible force; and even if so deprived will recover it, should any, even the least, mishap overtake the usurper. We have in Italy an example of this in the Duke of Ferrara, who never could have withstood the attacks of the Venetians in 1484, nor those of Pope Julius in 1510, had not his authority in that State been consolidated by time. For since a Prince by birth has fewer occasions and less need to give offence, he ought to be better loved, and will naturally be popular with his subjects unless outrageous vices make him odious. Moreover, the very antiquity and continuance of his rule will efface the memories and causes which lead to innovation. For one change always leaves a dovetail into which another will fit.

  • usurper – a person who seizes something as his or her own
  • We have in Italy…consolidated by time.” – This quote deals with two specific dukes in Ferrara, but the reference is to the entire family line that reigned for many generations. ercole d'este (1431 – 1505) is noted as the most important duke from his family. he was Duke of Ferrara from 1471 – 1505. The “attacks of the Venetians” that Machiavelli mentions is a specific reference to the war between Venice and Ferrara (1482 – 1484) that nearly destroyed ercole's city. This war was the result of an alliance formed between Pope Sixtus IV and the city of Venice. ercole was able to hold the Venetians off, and the Peace of Bagnolo ended the war in 1484.
    Ercole's son, Alfonso I (1476 – 1534), became Duke of Ferrara in 1505 and successfully added many defenses around the city to ensure its protection. Alfonso I made many attempts to remain at peace with Pope Julius II, but to no avail. The Pope, determined to end d'este power, led an army to battle against the diplomatic Alfonso I in 1511. Alfonso was victorious and continued as duke for twenty more years. These two generations serve as an example for Machiavelli's claim that hereditary princedoms are the easiest to maintain because the people of the city are already familiar with the family and how the family rules. A newly appointed prince simply has to continue ruling in the same manner as his relatives who came before him. In addition, any ruler who inherits the throne already has the support of the people. Machiavelli believes that the only reason these two d'Estes were able to defeat their opposition was because their authority was already solidified with their past family members holding the same position; therefore, even if the d'Estes had been defeated, they could easily regain their position.
  • odious – hateful
  • efface – to destroy; erase
  • dovetail – a piece of an interlocking joint; a perfect fit