Machiavelli and Cicero Both Machiavelli and Cicero hold a significant and relevant influence over former and current western political thought. Both men are as well independent to their times and independent thinkers with drastically different political theories and idealizations. However, one may easily argue that the two have endured the test of time and that their legacies are here to stay. Niccolò Machiavelli was born in May of 1469 in Florence Italy. Not only was Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance, but 1469 was a year in the midst of a blooming cultural movement. As expected of most Renaissance men in the well respected middle class, Machiavelli received his education in the humanities. Soon after his educational years and years…show more content… Machiavelli believed that those in power or those attempting to gain power should not have to worry about the ethics and ideology involved in their own theories and actions. Which as a result meant disregarding the welfare of the subjects who were to be affected and ignoring what was right and what was wrong. So for Machiavelli it was simple and that was to do whatever one may have to do in order to expand and disperse their own political authority. However, he also held the belief in which the people should be taught great morals and ethical practices because through these concepts, stability and peace would result. However, as stated, these same teachings did not apply to himself or those in power because they were above the teachings that would most likely interfere with their political careers and reign. Cicero was easily a man of virtue considering the number of philosophies he had studied. Because of this his philosophy was often incorporated into his political opinions. Cicero believed that law was inherently rooted in nature and laws that were not were not laws at all. Here Cicero placed philosophy over
