Machiavelli biography timeline reports

Portrait of Machiavelly by Santi di Tito

Writer with a controversial legacy

Niccolo Machiavelli was a patriot and champion of a united Italy and one of the fathers of modern political theory.

At the age of 29, Machiavelli entered the political service of his native Florence.

As foreign and defense minister, he made policies that strengthened Florence politically. He was soon entrusted with important diplomatic missions for his principality. He met the most important politicians of his time, such as Louis XII of France, Pope Julius II, the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, and, perhaps most importantly for Machiavelli, a prince of the Papal States named Cesare Borgia.

The wily Borgia later inspired the title character in Machiavelli's famous and influential political treatise, "The Prince" (1532).

Machiavelli's political life took an unfortunate turn after 1512, when he fell out of favor with the powerful Medici family and