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Primary sourceBookwritten 1519-1520, published 1521

The Art of War

Niccolò Machiavelli · written 1519-1520, published 1521

Machiavelli's only major work printed in his lifetime, a dialogue arguing for citizen militias over mercenary armies.

Machiavelli wrote this treatise himself, drawing on his own experience building a Florentine militia.

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Decorative woodcut title page of 'The Arte of Warre', written in Italian by Nicholas Machiauel and set forth in English by Peter Withorne, dated 1573. Ornate border shows armored soldiers, weapons, and a central coat of arms, with a framed battle scene at the bottom.
Niccolò Machiavelli, The Art of War, written 1519-1520, published 1521. Title page shown from an English edition, 1573.

About this source

What it is

The Art of War is a treatise by Niccolò Machiavelli, written around 1519-1520 and published in 1521—the only historical or political work printed during his lifetime. It takes the form of a dialogue set in the Orti Oricellari gardens in Florence, mainly between Cosimo Rucellai and the character Lord Fabrizio Colonna, with other Florentine figures taking part.

Why it matters

The work reflects Machiavelli's own experience organizing a Florentine militia and his belief that citizen soldiers were more reliable than mercenaries. It drew on his years as a government secretary observing armies, and later influenced military thinkers for centuries, including commanders such as Maurice of Nassau and Gustavus Adolphus.

Look closer

  • Why might Machiavelli choose a dialogue, rather than writing directly in his own voice?
  • What does his argument for citizen militias suggest about his view of mercenaries and his own political experience?
  • How does this woodcut title page of a later English edition use images of soldiers and weapons to advertise the book's subject?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Niccolo Machiavelli on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Letter

Primary source

Letter to Francesco Vettori

Niccolò Machiavelli · 10 December 1513

Title page of an early printed book, 'Discorsi di Nicolo Machiavelli, Fiorentino, sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio', with a woodcut border showing a lion's head at top and a wolf standing on a ribbon inscribed 'DISSIMILIVM INFIDA SOCIETAS' below. Handwritten marks appear in the margins.Book

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Discourses on Livy

Niccolò Machiavelli · c. 1517, published 1531

Painting of a man with short dark hair in a black cloak with red sleeves and red collar, resting one hand on a stone ledge and holding a book in the other hand against a dark brown background.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli

Santi di Tito · late 16th century

Title page of a 1556 printed edition of Machiavelli's comedy Mandragola. Large capitals read MANDRAGOLA COMEDIA FACETISSIMA DI M. NICOLO MACHIAVELLI FIORENTINO, followed by Nuovamente corretta & Ristampata. A woodcut of a mandrake plant with roots and leaves is centered between the text. At the bottom reads IN FIORENZA MDLVI.Book

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The Mandrake

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1524

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