Niccolò Machiavelli
Florentine statesman and political philosopher whose The Prince founded modern political science by separating politics from ethics. His frank analysis of how power is actually acquired and maintained shocked readers for centuries. He is also the author of the Discourses, a more republican and nuanced work.
Works
- The PrincePolitical treatise on power, strategy, and statecraft in Renaissance Italy
- Discourses on LivyAnalysis of Roman history and principles of republican government
- The Art of WarMilitary strategy and tactics drawn from classical and historical examples
- Florentine HistoriesHistory of Florence from medieval times through the early Renaissance
- MandragolaComic play depicting intrigue, desire, and scheming in Renaissance Florence
- History of FlorenceHistorical chronicle of Florence's political development and major events