Student Question
What are three achievements of Machiavelli?
Quick answer:
Niccolò Machiavelli achieved significant success in his lifetime. He served as chancellor and secretary to Florence's Ten of Liberty and Peace, conducting important diplomatic missions across Europe. In 1512, he organized a defense force of 12,000 men to protect Florence from invasion, showcasing his organizational skills. His most notable achievement is writing The Prince, a seminal work on political philosophy that, despite being condemned by the Church, profoundly influenced European rulers.
Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Florence on May 3 1469. He came from an ancient middle-class family who had been reduced to poverty at the time of his birth but Machiavelli was able to rise from these humble origins to become an important figure in Florentine life. Here are three of his achievements:
- He entered government service in 1498 and, over the next 14 years, acted as chancellor and secretary to its most important committee, Ten of Liberty and Peace. During this service, Machiavelli carried out a number of diplomatic missions to countries across Europe, including France, Switzerland and Germany.
- When the Florentine government was threatened with invasion in 1512, Machiavelli mobilised an army of 12000 conscripted men to defend the city. While it was unsuccessful, it demonstrated his skill in organisation and management.
- Machiavelli wrote The Prince, one of the most important books of the Renaissance era. This manual instructed rulers on how to govern their subjects and was widely influential in Europe, though the Church condemned and banned it.
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