Did Machiavelli serve in the military?

At this time the pope had formed a Holy League at Cognac against Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56), and Machiavelli went with the army to join his friend Francesco Guicciardini (1482–1540), the pope’s lieutenant, with whom he remained until the sack of Rome by the emperor’s forces brought the war to an end …

What does Machiavelli say about military?

There cannot be good laws without good armies, and where there are good laws, there must be good arms, so Machiavelli declares he will only discuss arms, not laws. Arms to defend the state are the prince’s own, mercenaries, auxiliaries, or a mix of the three. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are dangerous and unreliable.

What is Machiavelli most famous for?

Machiavelli was a 16th century Florentine philosopher known primarily for his political ideas. His two most famous philosophical books, The Prince and the Discourses on Livy, were published after his death.

What is the relationship between good armies and good laws Why does Machiavelli reject the use of mercenary armies?

Machiavelli explains that mercenary and auxiliary troops “are useless” and he encourages rulers to avoid employing them. Machiavelli states that mercenary troops are dangerous because “there is no loyalty or inducement to keep them on the field apart from the little they are paid . . .

Did Florence have a military?

Military. The military in Florence was simple yet also effective.It was organized by Guilds and Gonfaloniers who commanded various companies. These companies formed the military/army forces. They were commonly known and referred to as “the people’s army”.

What are the main forces at work in the world according to Machiavelli in The Prince?

Themes

• Statesmanship & Warcraft. Machiavelli believes that good laws follow naturally from a good military.
• Goodwill & Hatred. To remain in power, a prince must avoid the hatred of his people.
• Free Will.
• Virtue.
• Human Nature.

How did Machiavelli feel about war?

According to Machiavelli, princes gain and keep power through making war, a prince’s primary duty. I judge those princes capable of standing on their own who have an abundance of men or of money, so that they can put together a sufficient army and fight a battle in the field against anyone who comes to attack them.

What did Machiavelli invent?

Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli is best known for writing The Prince, a handbook for unscrupulous politicians that inspired the term “Machiavellian” and established its author as the “father of modern political theory.”

How did Machiavelli contribute to the renaissance?

Machiavelli was a Florentine political theorist and also a statesman. Though considered a controversial figure in political history, he has been identified as exclusive in his influence during the renaissance especially due to his manual in 1532, the prince. His work in the prince aimed the Medici who was ruling Italy.

Why did Machiavelli believe that it was better to be feared than loved?

Forced to make a choice, it is much better to be feared than loved. This is because men, by nature, are “ungrateful, fickle, dissembling, anxious to flee danger, and covetous of gain.” In times of remote danger, they are willing to take risks for their prince, but if the danger is real, they turn against their prince.

Did Florence have a powerful military?

They were commonly known and referred to as “the people’s army”. The people’s army was fairly powerful and overthrew the Swabian Podestà (or Swabian Dictator). Florence had tried to expand into the countryside just outside the City-state, but was coming into conflicts with neighboring cities.

Was the military powerful in Genoa?

The battle left Genoa the strongest naval power in the Western Mediterranean.