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Machiavelli's Diplomatic Encounters
- Machiavelli served as secretary to Florentine embassies, meeting leaders like King Louis XII and Cesare Borgia.
- His interactions informed his view of princes, particularly his admiration for Borgia's effectiveness.
From Diplomat to Writer
- Machiavelli's diplomatic career ended abruptly in 1512 when the Medici returned to power.
- Imprisoned and tortured, he turned to writing, using his experience to explore statecraft.
Genre and Language of "The Prince"
- "The Prince" fits within the established genre of advice for rulers, but it's unusually written in Italian.
- This choice reflects the rise of vernacular languages in learned works.