The Life of Niccolo Machiavelli

Birth of Spring (Primavera) Machiavelli

1465

Birth of Niccolo's sister to the same parents

Birth of Margherita Machiavelli

1468

Birth of Niccolo's sister to the same parents

Guiliano and Lorenzo Medici Rule Florence

1469

The Medici Brothers ruled Florence together until 1478.

Birth of Niccolo Machiavelli

May 3, 1469

Machiavelli is born in Florence, Italy to Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli (Mother) and Bernardo di Niccolo Machiavelli (Father). He was raised in the Santo Spirito district of Florence.

Birth of Totto Machiavelli

1475

Birth of Niccolo's brother to the same parents

Lorenzo becomes the Sole Ruler of Florence

1478

Lorenzo's rule has been considered that of "a benevolent tyrant in a constitutional republic" according to historian, Francesco Guicciardini.

Pazzi Conspiracy Against the Medici//Golden Age of Lorenzo the Magnificent Begins

Apr 26, 1478

The Pazzi Conspiracy is considered one of the most heinous and famous bloody events on Italian soil and took place in the Cathedral of Florence on Easter Sunday during mass in the middle of communion. Bernardo Bandini and Francesco de'Pazzi stabbed Guiliano and Lorenzo Medici. Lorenzo escaped and Guiliano succumbed to his injuries upon being stabbed. Conspirators in this incident all lost their lives due to government sentencing or "lynching"

Niccolo begins studying under Ronciglione

1481

~1481 At age 12, Niccolo begins to study under the priest, Paolo da Ronciglione, where he receives a formal education. Ronciglione had previously instructed some well-known humanists.
Humanism: revival of ancient Greek and Roman thought that stresses the potential value and goodness of human beings while emphasizing common human needs and solving problems in rational ways.
He is believed to have then studied at the University of Florence, where he received an excellent humanist education

Girolamo Savonarola Begins Preaching in Florence

1482

Savonarola was largely unsuccessful as a preacher until his revelations at San Gimignano in Lent of 1485 and 1486 where he expressed that the church needed to be reformed. According to his prophecies, it would be scourged and renewed.

End of Niccolo's Early Whereabouts

1487

Much of Niccolo's early life is found in his father's diaries. These diaries ended in 1487. Some say Bernardo died in 1500 and others have dated his passing around 1487.

Savonarola Begins Preaching at the Convent of San Marco

1490

Lorenzo the Magnificent Dies

1492

Lorenzo the Magnificent dies and was succeeded by his son Piero de' Medici.

Rodrigo Borgia Ascends to the Papacy as Alexander VI

1492

Borgia was selected by vote and historically has been accused of buying a vote from an elderly cardinal to win. Borgia consistently pursued the acquisition of gold, the pursuit of women, and his family interests rather than focusing on his role as Pope.

Savonarola Gains Authority in Florence

1494

Savonarola was one of the men who negotiated with King Charles VIII. Due to his religious influence, Savonarola became a heavily influential member of the political climate in Florence. He influenced the reformation period of the political system, but the Great Council was not fully implemented until ~1499.

The Medici are Ousted from Florence

1494

Piero Medici left Florence to negotiate with King Charles VIII and planned to hand over important fortresses in the region in return for respecting the freedom of the city. The already unpopular Piero was driven out of Florence by the citizens.

France Invades Italy

1494

The French were being led by Charles VIII, the King of France. This began a permanent alteration to Italy of continuous outside influence. This invasion was greatly promoted due to the power struggle between France and Spain at the time. France and Spain were two of the most powerful countries at the time and could extend their military operations over longer periods. Charles VIII was looking to claim the kingdom of Naples. His entrance into Italy caused the ousting of the Medici family.

Bartolomea (Niccolo's Mother) Passes Away

1496

Savonarola Urges for the Creation of the Great Council

1496

Savonarola did not officially hold public office but urged for the creation of a Chief Council as the primary form of government, similar to the Venetian government (widely admired for its stability). This essentially replaced the Medici's guise of a democratic republic, which was truly a plutocracy, with an actual democratic republic.

Bonfire of the Vanities

1497

A period of time when Savonarola encouraged the people of Florence to burn sinful objects such as makeup, mirrors, playing cards, and even musical instruments. Ironically, the famous artist Botticelli was one of Savonarola's biggest supporters and even participated in this bonfire with his own artwork.

Savonarola is ex-communicated by Alexander VI

May 12, 1497

Savonarola was believed to have condemned the immortality of the Church many times and called for the removal of Alexander VI from Papal office. Others say that his ex-communication was only political, since Alexander VI wanted the Florentines to join an anti-French coalition., which they would not do under Savonarola's leadership.

Savonarola is publicly executed

May 23, 1498

On Palm Sunday of 1498, Savonarola and his two ardent companions, Fra Dominico and Fra Salvestro, were attacked by a screaming mob and arrested by the Florentine authorities. These men were cruelly tortured. A year post-ex-communication of Savonarola, the three men were hung and burned at the stake in the Piazza del Signoria. The remains of their bodies were thrown into the River Arno.

Niccolo is appointed as Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence

Jun 19, 1498

Machiavelli's first political position, as the head of the Second Chancery, took place not long after Savonarola's death. At this point, he was 29 and had no prior political experience. He served under Marcello Virgilio Adriani, Chancellor of the Florentine Republic. Adriani, a scholar, began serving his position in 1498 as well.

Machiavelli serves as Secretary to the Ten

Jul 14, 1498

A month after being appointed to the Chancery, Machiavelli is also appointed to serve as Secretary of the Ten, the committee on war.

Machiavelli's first diplomatic assignment

Nov 1, 1498

Machiavelli was assigned a brief trip to the city of Piombino in November of 1498.

Machiavelli is sent to Pontedera

Mar 24, 1499

In Pontedera, Machiavelli would negotiate a pay dispute involving mercenary, Jacopo d'Appiano.

Machiavelli visits Furli

Jul 1, 1499

Machiavelli was asked to visit Furli in July to meet with Lady Catharine Sforza Riario about her son Ottaviano's conduct.

Machiavelli is commissioned to France

1500

Machiavelli proceeded to the court of France with Francesco della Casa, ambassador to Louis XII regarding the ill conduct of the French troops. The French troops had been sent to fight in Pisa at the request of the Florentine Republic.

Machiavellia marries Marietaa di Ludovico Corsini

1501

Marietta and Machiavelli married in August of 1501 and eventually had several children. There kids were Bernardo, Primerana (who died at a young age), an unnamed daughter (who also died young), Baccina, Ludovico, Piero, Guido, and Totto. Machiavelli was known to be romantically involved with at least two other women, La Riccia (courtesan) and Barbera Salutati (singer).

Piero Soderini becomes gonfaloniere for life

1501

The previous term limit of the gonfaloniere was two months. Due to major constitutional reform, the term limit was abolished. The gonfaloniere was a medieval Italian official who was instituted to protect the interests of the people against the dominant wealthy class.

Machiavelli and Cesare Borgia meet for the first time

1502

Cesare Borgia was the son of Alexander VI

Machiavelli collaborates with Leonardo Da Vinci

Period: 1502 to 1507

The most notable collaboration was the attempt to connect the Arno River to the sea. This would irrigate the Arno valley and cut off the water supply to Pisa.

Machiavelli writes the Decennali

1503

This texts were written in terza rima and dedicated to Alamanno Salviati, a member of the famous Salviati family who were known for commercial textile and banking activities. This work was most likely printed at the end of 1504 or beginning of 1505.

Machiavelli creates the Florentine Militia

Period: 1505 to 1506

Machiavelli promoted the creation of the Florentine militia so that Florence would not have to rely on foreign mercenaries for protection.

Machiavelli serves as Chancellor to the Nine

1507

The Nine of Ordinance and Militia was a committee composed of nine civilians that were to train and discipline the militia that Machiavelli pushed to create.

Soderini is ousted from power

Aug 30, 1512

The Florentine militia is crushed in Prato and Soderini loses his seat as Gonfaloniere of Florence at the hands of Pope Julius II. The militia was defeated by the Spanish and Papal troops sent by Julius.

Medici Family regains control of Florence

Sep 1, 1512

Giuliano de' Medici marches into Florence to reestablish Medici control of the city.

Machiavelli is dismissed

Nov 8, 1512

Machiavelli is formally dismissed from the office of Secretary of the Second Chancellery of the Signoria and the secretaryship of the Magistracy of the Ten. Machiavelli was one of the few officials from the Republic that was dismissed upon return of the Medici.

A new decree against Machiavelli

Nov 10, 1512

Machiavelli was confined for a whole year within the limits of the republic and on November 17th, 1512 he was notified that he was not to enter the palace of the Signoria for a whole year.

Machiavelli is jailed and tortured

1513

Machiavelli was wrongly accused of being involved in the conspiracy of Pietropaolo Boscoli and Agostino Capponi against the lives of Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici. He was arrested and placed in the prison of the Bargello where he was subjected six times to the strappado. The Strappado was a torture device where the prisoner was hung with their arms tied behind their back. They would fall the length of the rope over a pulley system, which typically resulted in dislocation of the arms/shoulders.

Machiavelli retires to Percussina

1513

Following his release from prison, Machiavelli goes to his small property in Percussina, near San Casciano

Pope Julius II dies

Feb 21, 1513

Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici was chosen as the successor and assumed the title Leo X. Leo X set free Machiavelli and all others who had been implicated in the Boscoli and Capponi conspiracy. Boscoli and Capponi were unfortunately executed before the Pope's pardon.

Machiavelli writes to Francesco Vettori

Mar 13, 1513

In this letter, Machiavelli mentions his time being tortured. His torture is not found in any public documents today, but exclusively through letters sent to his close confidants.

Machiavelli writes to Vettori again

Dec 10, 1513

Machiavelli wrote to Vettori about his uncertainties about naming "De Principatibus" with that title. He also mentioned his intention of dedicating that text to Giuliano de' Medici.
Machiavelli also began writing the "Discourses on Livy" at this point.

Giuliano moves to Rome

1514

Giuliano de' Medici moves to Rome at the request of his brother, Giovanni. Giuliano became Gonfaloniere of the Holy Roman Church. His nephew, Lorenzo de' Medici, becomes his successor in Florence.

Machiavelli writes The Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy

Period: 1514 to 1519

This famous work was where Machiavelli had the opportunity to express his qualified views on the government of the state. This work was dedicated to Cosimo Rucellai and Zenobio Buondemonti. It would be published posthumously in 1531.

Machiavelli presents The Prince to Lorenzo de' Medici

1516

Machiavelli originally planned to present The Prince to Giuliano de' Medici but ended up presenting it to Lorenzo instead due to Giuliano's passing.

Giuliano de' Medici dies

Mar 17, 1516

He leaves is illegitimate son, Ippolito, in the care of Leo X. Ippolito would eventually become Pope Clement VII.

Machiavelli writes the Mandragola

1518

The Mandrake (Mandragola) is a quintessential classical comedy where a wealthy merchant, Nicias, and his beautiful wife, Lucretia, are deceived by Callimaco. Callimaco is a young man who wishes to be Lucretia's lover. This play is one of the things Machiavelli was well known for during his time.

Machiavelli is commissioned to write the history of Florence

1520

Machiavelli spends most of his life up until this point trying to use his well-connected friends to rectify his relationship with the Medici. In 1520, Cardinal Giulio de' Medici (Pope Clement VII) commissioned him to compose a history of Florence called "Florentine Histories".

Machiavelli writes the Life of Castruccio Castracani

1520

Following the numerous attempts of Machiavelli's friends, Francesco Guicciardini and Lorenzo di Filippo Strozzi, to restore his political reputation, he was given a minor diplomatic mission. He was sent to Lucca where he wrote the Life of Castruccio Castracani. Giuliano de' Medici offered Machiavelli an opportunity to become the city's official historiographer at the University of Florence.

The Art of War is published

1521

Machiavelli discusses a philosophy on military combat. Here he emphasized the systemic concept of troop formation and proclaimed discipline to be the most important factor in military success.

Florentine Histories is completed

1525

This work was presented to Cardinal Giulio de' Medici following his ascension to the papal throne as Clement VII.

Machiavelli directs the first production of Clizia

1525

The Clizia is a little-known play where Machiavelli attempts to teach the audience about household management through a round-about, subversive husband and a strict, orderly wife.

Machiavelli dies

Jun 20, 1527

Towards the end of his life, Machiavelli became minorly involved in public affairs for the Medici government, but before he passed away before he could fully return to public life. His body is buried in the Florentine basilica of Santa Croce where Machiavelli was ironically banned from entering in the later years of his life. He leaves his four sons, daughter, and wife in grave poverty.

Discourses on the Ten Books of Titus Livy is published

1531

This work was published posthumously in 1531.

The Prince is published

1532

The Prince is published posthumously in 1532.