Niccolò Machiavelli - Biography and Works (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, works, and concepts from the Machiavelli notes.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Italian Renaissance political thinker (born 1469 in Florence); author of The Prince and The Art of War; considered founder of modern political science.

Savonarola

Domenican friar who opposed the Medici in Florence and attempted to restore a republic; executed in 1498.

Medici

Powerful Florentine ruling family who dominated politics; faced exile, then returned to power; associated figures include Lorenzo and Giulio de’ Medici.

The Prince (Il Principe)

Machiavelli’s political treatise on how rulers gain and maintain power; completed around 1513, published posthumously in 1532; emphasizes practical statecraft over moral ideals.

The Art of War (Arte della guerra)

Machiavelli’s military treatise (1521) arguing for citizen-soldier armies and a state-controlled military rather than mercenaries.

Discourses on Livy (Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio)

Machiavelli’s work advocating republics as the best form of government, drawing on Roman history; written after 1517–1518.

Istorie fiorentine (History of Florence)

Eight-book history commissioned by Giulio de’ Medici; covers Florence’s history up to 1492 and broader Italian history.

Mandragola (La Mandragola)

A satirical comedy (likely 1518) about love, deception, and social maneuvering in Florence; features Callimaco, Lucrezia, Nicia, Timoteo, Ligurio.

Ritratto delle cose di Francia

Political portrait praising the centralized power of the French monarchy; written after Machiavelli’s embassy to France.

Ritratto delle cose della Magna

Relational work reflecting on the Holy Roman Empire; argues the imperial model is weak due to territorial fragmentation.

Francesco Guicciardini

Friend of Machiavelli; governor of Carpi; later renowned historian; influenced by Machiavellian ideas.

Giulio de’ Medici (Pope Clemente VII)

Cardinal who became Pope Clement VII in 1523; favorable toward Machiavelli and commissioned Florence histories.

Albergaccio

Machiavelli’s country estate near San Casciano where he retreated after political exile to study and write.

Virtù

Machiavellian concept of political skill, courage, cunning, and capability to shape fortune; not merely moral virtue.

Fortuna

Fortune; the uncontrollable forces that affect political life; leaders must adapt and compensate with virtù.

Mercenaries (truppe mercenarie)

Soldiers hired for pay; criticized by Machiavelli as untrustworthy and dangerous to the state.

Militia (milizie)

Citizen-soldier forces formed to defend the state; central to Machiavelli’s ideal of a strong, loyal army.

Specula principis

Medieval genre ‘mirror for princes’ describing the ideal ruler; Machiavelli references it to contrast his practical guidance.

Republic vs Principate

Machiavelli’s dual stance: The Prince endorses monarchy as an immediate solution; Discourses advocates republics as the better long-term form for independence.