Philosopher · 1469 – 1527
Niccolò Machiavelli
Served the Florentine Republic as a diplomat and official, then wrote The Prince and the Discourses — works that analyzed power realistically rather than morally and founded modern political thought.
Greatest Achievements
- Founded modern political science with a realist analysis of power.
- Served the Florentine Republic as diplomat and secretary.
- Wrote influential works on both princely rule and republics.
Major Accomplishments
- Founded modern political science with a realist analysis of power.
- Served the Florentine Republic as diplomat and secretary.
- Wrote influential works on both princely rule and republics.
Major Works
- The Prince
- Discourses on Livy
Impact Analysis
Machiavelli separated politics from morality and religion, analyzing power as it really operates — a decisive break that founded modern political theory and influenced thinkers from Hobbes to the present.
Historical influence score: 88/100