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Primary sourceBook1513

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1513

Machiavelli's political treatise of 1513, offering blunt advice to rulers on gaining and keeping power, dedicated to Lorenzo de' Medici.

Machiavelli wrote this treatise himself, making it the foundational text of his political thought and reputation.

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Title page of the 1550 Italian edition of Machiavelli's Il Principe, with the title and subtitles in black letters on aged paper, a woodcut portrait bust of a man holding a book, two oval emblems, and the date MDL at the bottom.
Niccolò Machiavelli, Il Principe, title page of 1550 edition.

About this source

What it is

The Prince is a political treatise written by Niccolò Machiavelli in 1513, though it was not printed until 1532, five years after his death. Machiavelli framed it as a guidebook for new rulers, addressed to Lorenzo de' Medici.

Why it matters

The book broke with older traditions of advice-writing for princes by arguing that practical results mattered more than following moral ideals. Machiavelli drew on classical, biblical and contemporary examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, whom Machiavelli had observed during his own diplomatic work. The book's frankness about ruthless tactics gave rise to the word 'Machiavellian' and shaped how later generations viewed politics and politicians.

Look closer

  • Why might Machiavelli have dedicated this book to a Medici prince, given his own republican background?
  • What kinds of examples does Machiavelli use to support his arguments, and what does that tell you about his audience?
  • How might a reader's opinion of this book depend on when and where they lived?

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

Primary source

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

Primary source

The Mandrake

Niccolò Machiavelli · 1524

Photograph of a handwritten manuscript page on aged, yellowed paper, showing dense cursive Italian handwriting in brown ink, with a dedicatory opening line at the top. A small embossed seal or stamp appears at the bottom center, and a faint initial is written at the lower right.Book

Primary source

Florentine Histories

Niccolò Machiavelli · commissioned 1520, presented 1526, published 1532

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