Niccolò Machiavelli Niccolò Machiavelli was a political philosopher from Florence, Italy. He lived during the Italian Renaissance from May 1469 to 1527. This period of time that Machiavelli experienced was the "rebirth" of art in Italy and the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, literature, and science. During this period of the Renaissance, Italy was also involved in intense political conflict with the dominant city-states of Florence, Milan, Venice, Naples, the Papacy, France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. Machiavelli was a man who lived his life for politics and patriotism. He created many works such as The Prince, History of Florence, Art of War and Discourses on the first ten books of Tito Livio. Machiavelli is most famous for his political treatise, The Prince, written in 1513. After the writing of The Prince was exposed to the public, Machiavelli quickly earned a bad reputation and was associated with corruption and totalitarian government. Many views and opinions were formed about Machiavelli, as attempts were made to understand him and his writing of The Prince. From Machiavelli's writings it remains impressed on people that he often professed a preference for drastic methods and radical all-or-nothing solutions, together with a contempt for delay, improvisation and compromise and has a series of attitudes usually more characteristic of theorists academics and practical businessmen. Niccolò Machiavelli wrote The Prince for Lorenzo de' Medici who ruled Florence at the time. He thought that by writing a book about what he thought were the goals of the Medici and dedicating it to them he would gain the favor of the family and they would restore his position in office. Machiavelli also believed that his writings would help make Medici a more effective ruler. One critic states that Machiavelli advises the prince to read history and reflect on the actions of great men. This meant imitating great men and taking them as models for one's own conduct; a great historical figure who had achieved the highest praise and glory by constantly keeping before him the deeds and achievements of a predecessor.