The Throne

Who was Machiavelli before The Prince?

Machiavelli is renowned worldwide, but his life before penning The Prince is a story worth uncovering.

The Setting: October 1502

• The powerful Cesare Borgia is preparing to invade the Florentine Republic.
• Niccolò Machiavelli, a 33-year-old official of the Republic, is sent to Borgia’s court as a spy.
• At this time, Machiavelli:
  • Is not yet famous.
  • Cheats on his wife avidly.
  • Is deeply in debt.
  • Is trusted and seen as useful, but remains on the sidelines.

A Complex Relationship

• A bond begins to form between Machiavelli and Borgia:
  • The Duke, plagued by circulating “slanders,” needs someone to write his biography.
  • He chooses Machiavelli, granting him wider access to his secrets.
• Machiavelli also uncovers the hidden truths of Dianora Mambelli, a young woman forced by the Borgias to stay by the Duke’s side.

Transformation and Risk

• Listening to Borgia’s reflections and learning Dianora’s secrets profoundly changes Machiavelli.
• These experiences grant him the insight that will later make him a great writer.
• However, this knowledge also puts Machiavelli’s own life in jeopardy.

The Legacy

• Years later, Machiavelli writes The Prince, which is published posthumously.
• This work proves his genius to the world.
• Cesare Borgia, through Machiavelli’s writing, achieves his desire to survive forever in history.