Who was Niccolo Machiavelli?

Niccolo Di Bernardo Dei Machiavelli, known more simply as Niccolo Machiavelli, was a Florentine Renaissance-era philosopher, government official and author. He is most commonly known for his philosophies on various subjects, like the one known as Machiavellianism. His literary works include: The Prince, Discourses on Livy and The Art of War.

Niccolo was born a commoner on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. He quickly became a government official, helping to establish the Florentine Republic in 1494 when the Medici family was expelled in 1494. In 1512, the Medici returned to power and established one of their own as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo X. This is where Niccolo's life becomes a tragedy. He was quickly arrested for his hand in overthrowing Medici rule and tortured in Bargello prison for three weeks using technics like the strappado. Machiavelli was released in March of 1513 following a general amnesty from the newly elected Pope.

Crushed, Niccolo retreated to his country home and wrote the famed 'The Prince.' catching the eye of the Medici as a potential ally and pawn to use in their political struggle to keep Florence. A series of events would turn for the worse as Niccolo is branded a traitor to the people of Florence after an uprising. He once again retreated to his country home with his wife and children where he eventually died on June 21, 1527.