43: Machiavelli the Man
I Take History With My Coffee
In this episode, we unlock the enigma of Niccolò Machiavelli, the man whose name is a byword for cunning strategy. With the fall of Savonarola as our starting point, we'll traverse Machiavelli's rise from a modest upbringing, through his father's influence and the enlightening force of a humanist education, to his emergence as a master of political philosophy. His written works reveal a character that is at once lyrical and sardonic, an idealist who pragmatically dissected the fabric of power. Through the rich tapestry of his private and public musings, we draw back the curtain to expose the multiple facets of a figure who was a sharp observer of ruthless Florentine politics.
Our narrative weaves through Machiavelli's encounters with the likes of Cesar Borgia and Pope Julius II and the profound political insights they spurred, which crystallized in his seminal work, "The Prince." Through these historic rendezvous and the evolution of his thoughts, we gain a deeper understanding of a man whose influence on governance and the art of war reverberates through the ages.
Resources:
The Life of Niccolo Machiavelli by Roberto Ridolfi
Machiavelli in 90 Minutes by Paul Strathern
Machiavelli by Quetine Skinner
Probably the best biography of Machiavelli is the Pulitzer Prize-winning Machiavelli in Hell by Sebastian de Grazia
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Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D
