How Did Machiavelli Rise To Power

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Niccolo’ Machiavelli was a philosopher who attempted to teach the rulers in Italy how to get power and keep it. He saw the destruction of his beloved country due to invasion and sought to find someone in power to take his philosophies and put them into practice in order to make Italy whole again. Machiavelli’s career as a diplomatic envoy for the republic of Florence allowed him to witness the proceeding of many different meetings with the King of France as well as Pope Borgia and Emperor Maxmilliam (Puchner 1625). In 1512, the Medici family overturned the Republic and Machiavelli not only lost his post but was imprisoned as well as tortured before being released to exile. It was while on a farm outside the city with his family that he began to write (Puchner 1625). His goal was to show himself valuable to the Medici with the hopes they would give him an office. Machiavelli took what he saw …show more content…
Machiavelli says that the only reason they are successful is because at the time fortune and their tactic are harmonious and therefore work, but if fortune changes and men do not change their approach then they will fail (Puchner 1633). Machiavelli uses Pope Julius the II as example of correct action and fortune working together in harmony. The Pope known for his brash and bold actions was able to be successful because at the time that is what was needed. He was able to move quickly and use his rashness to his advantage by not allowing his allies to change their minds or find excuses to not join. Machiavelli also points out that since Pope Julius’s short life and time as pope allowed him to be successful in his endeavors but if he had remained pope for a longer time eventually there would have been a situation in which caution would be needed but he would have still acted in what he knew best and therefore would have been destroyed (Puchner

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