Niccolo Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli

Period: Jan 1, 1450 to Jan 1, 1550

Born In 1469

May 3, 1469

On May 3rd, 1469 Niccolo Machiavelli was born to Bernardo di Niccolo Machiavelli and Bartolomea di Stefano Nelli. As a boy he was taught grammar, rhetoric, and Latin. He was not taught Greek even though Greek was commonly taught among wealthy families. ("Niccolo Machiavelli" 97).

Michaelangelo is born

Mar 6, 1475

On March 6, 1475 Michaelangelo is born to Ludovico di Leonardo Buonarroti Simoni and Francesca di Neri del Miniato di Siena. As a young boy he was sent to Florence to study grammar under Francesco da Urbino. However he showed little interest in his lessons and prefered to copy famous paintings. ("Michelangelo Buonarroti").

Sistine Chapel is Built

Oct 27, 1481

On October 27, 1481 the famous Sistine Chapel's construction is completed. It was built for Pope Sixtus IV and was designed by Giovannino de'Dolci. Soon after its completion Giovannino drew a contract with painters Rosselli, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Perugino to begin the decorating project. ("Sistine Chapel").

King Henry VIII is born

Jun 28, 1491

On June 28, 1491 Henry VIII is born to Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He was taught Latin, Spanish, French and Italian as well as mathematics, music aand theology. He was considered to be one of the most fit boys in England. (Henry, VIII).

Named Chacellor and Secretary of the Second Chancellory of the Florentine Republic

Jan 1, 1498

In 1498 Machiavelli was named Chancellor and Secretary of the Second Chancellory of the Florentine Republic. His main duties involved executing policy decisions of others, carrying diplomatic correspondance, digesting and consuming reports, and compiling minutes. During his time in office he undertook 23 diplomatic missions to other states. ("Niccolo Machiavelli" 97).

Detailed Borgia's Poltical Murders

Jan 1, 1503

During one more well known diplomatic mission, Machiavelli wrote in great detail of Caesar Borgia's series of political murders. He described the three targets and his beliefs on why they were targeted. His main purpose was to use this document as a political lesson to the weak leader of Florence, Pier Soderini. (Carnagie).

Organized the Florentine Militia

Jan 1, 1503

Sometime in 1510 Machiavelli was responsible for organizing the Florentine Militia. While putting the militia together, it was observed that he highly didtrusted mercenaries. He stated that it was due to their unpatriotic and uninvested nature in war. He strongly believed their morale and loyalties to be questionable and to waver when needed most. Despite Machiavelli's best efforts, the militia he organized would fail during the Siege of Prato. ("Niccolo Machiavelli" 98).

Cesare Borgia's Death

Mar 12, 1507

Seeking financial assistance, Borgia went to Naples seeking loans. However his targets feared the prescence of his armies. He was arrested and brought to Spain where he escaped in 1506. He then went to Navarre and when Louis XII refused to restore Borgia's French estates, Cesare attacked the city where he was killed. ("Cesare Borgia").

Henry VIII Coronation

Jun 24, 1509

Upon the death of his father on April 21, 1509, Henry VIIIwas named his successor. He married Catherine of Aragon on June 11. 13 days later they were crowned together at Westmincer Abbey, ("Henry VII").

Arrest and Torture

Jan 1, 1512

In 1512 Machiavelli was relieved of his office by the Medici. The Medici later accused him of treason and had him arrested and subjected to torture, even though he was innocent. He was suspended to the wall of his cell by his arms, which dislocated his shoulders. He denied any knoledge of conspiracy and was released after three weeks. ("Niccolo Machiavelli" 97-98)

Sistine Chapel Ceiling is Completed

Jan 1, 1513

In 1508, Pope Julius II convinced Michelangelo to undertake the task of painting the ceiling of the chapel. The ceiling took five years to finish and was completed in 1513. It was a mix Christian beliefs about the fall and salvation of man and ideas and beliefs that were believed in Italy at the time. ("Sistine Chapel").

Wrote the II Principe

Jan 1, 1513

After his arrest and torture in 1512, Machiavelli was dismissed from his political position and turned to writing. His second and most famous work is The Prince. The book was written and first distributed in 1513 but a printed version was later published in 1532 with the permission of Medici Pope Clement VII. The book is considered to be one of the first works of modern political philosophy. It mainly deals with Machiavelli's views on what would make a perfect ruler. ("Niccolo Machiavelli" 98).

Wrote "The Discourses"

Jan 1, 1515

In 1515 Machiavelli wrote The Discourses or Discourses on the first ten books of Livy. Machiavelli closely analyzed The Roman Republic's rise to power and their decline. He wrote about the principles and institutions of powerful, enduring republics. He focused more on groups rather than individuals. Machiavelli stated that laws must be respected by citizens and those who fail to meet the law must be punished based on the seriousness of the crime. (Grendler)

Wrote The Art of War

Jan 1, 1521

In 1521, Machiavelli published another book called "The Art of War". It is a socratic dialouge spoken by Fabrizio Colonna. The book mainly described the reasons Machiavelli believed were the cause of the French's easy victories in 1494. The main reason discussed was how the Italian Army was made up mostly of disloyal mercenaries. (Gilbert).

Wrote Florentine Histories

Jan 1, 1526

In 1526 Machiavelli wrote the historical volume Florentine Histories. Unlike most history books, Florentine Histories deals with the underlying causes rather than chains of events. The book spoke of history up until the death of Lorenzo de Medici in 1491, whom the book was also dedicated to. This is believed to be mostly a part of Machiavelli's attempts to mend his relations with the Medici family. (Najemy)

Death

Jun 21, 1527

Niccolo Machiavelli died on June 21, 1527 at the age of 58. A memorial was constructed at the Uffizi. On his tombstone an epitaph was engraved and it says two possible meanings. The first was "So great a name has no adequate praise." The second is "No eulogy would be appropritate to such a great name. ("Niccolo Machiavelli" 98).