Born May 3rd, 1469 in Florence, Niccolo grew up the son of a jurist. Having an old citizen family he had the facility to study and gain a base of education. His move to politics came when, upon the Medici’s expulsion from Italy in 1494 he was appointed clerk to Andrini in the second chancery. Four years later he was succeeded Andrini to the office of second chancery and secretary. Over the next 11 years he was active in the affairs of state and acted as a foreign emissary to France and various other neighboring countries. In 1513 Machiavelli after being dismissed from office after the Medici’s return leads a coupe for the regaining of power for the previous leaders. He is tortured and finally released. It was after this event in 1513 that he retired from public life and wrote amongst other things the Prince, which we are here to discuss today.
Next lets look at what he did in these years after his public work.