Coach Adair, Starkville High School, Advanced Placement European History
Summer Reading Assignment #2
Due Date: On the first day of school in August (Regardless of which schedule you
will be on: year-long or 4x4 block not meeting until January 2015!)
__________. _________
AP European History
Date:________________
Block # _____________
Machiavelli’s Prince
Study Guide
Instructions to students: Neatly HAND-WRITE your responses in the space provided in INK (preferably a
color contrasting with black so I can easily read it); do NOT type this assignment! This project is YOUR
work and reflects YOUR unique insights and motivation; do NOT share with fellow students or allow anyone
to copy YOUR intellectual property. This assignment will constitute a VITAL portion of your first semester
APEH grade. – Coach Adair
Timeline Background:

When was Niccolo Machiavelli born?

Where was he born?

How did the Pazzi Conspiracy impact Lorenzo de Medici?

When did the Pazzi Conspiracy happen?

Who was Savanarola?

When did he begin preaching in Florence?

When did Lorenzo de Medici die?

Why was Lorenzo called “The Magnificent”?

Who succeeded Lorenzo de Medici?

How did Savanarola impact the Medici family?

Name four significant historical events that occurred in 1492 not involving Rodrigo Borgia:
A.
B.
C.
D.

What happened to Rodrigo Borgia in 1492?

What foreign power invaded the Italian Peninsula in 1494?

Who was monarch of this nation?

What happened to the Medici family in 1494?

When did Charles VIII die?

What happened to Savonarola on May 23, 1498?

What foreign power captured Milan in 1499?

Who was the monarch of this foreign invader?

Who was Ludovico Sforza and what did he do in Milan on February 5, 1500?

What did the French army do at Milan on April 10, 1500?

Where was Machiavelli during June and July, 1500?

Where was Machiavelli located and what was he doing between August – December, 1500?

Who did Machiavelli marry in 1501?

Who became Duke of Romagna on August 18, 1501?

Where was Machiavelli on December 31, 1502

What was he doing there?

When did Alexander VI die?

Where was Machiavelli located between October 23 – December 18, 1503?

What was he doing there?

Who became Pope on November 1, 1503?

What did this new Pontiff force Cesare Borgia to do?

Where was Machiavelli again sent in 1504?

Which three Italian city states were visited by Machiavelli asp part of diplomatic missions conducted in
1505 on behalf of the Florentine Republic?
A.
B.
C.

To where did Machiavelli follow Pope Julius 11 in 1506?

Which Italian city was entered by Julius II and Machiavelli on September 13, 1506?

To which court was Machiavelli sent on a diplomatic mission in 1507?

When did Cesare Borgia die?

What Italian city-state was being besieged by Florence during February, 1508?

Where was Machiavelli in 1509?

Which alliance was created by Pope Julius II on October 4, 1511?

What foreign invader was Julius II attempting to resist?

Which side won the Battle of Ravenna on April 11, 1512?

On what date did the Florentine Republic end?

Which family returned to power in Florence as a result?

How did the Medici treat Machiavelli in February, 1513?

When did Julius II commission Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel?

On what date did Pope Julius II die?

Who became the next pontiff and what papal name did he select?

What happened to Machiavelli on March 13, 1513?

To where was he exiled?

Why did Machiavelli write The Prince while in exile?

For whom did he write this work?

To whom was the work dedicated?

Who became King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor upon the death of Ferdinand of Aragon in 1516?

When did Martin Luther post the 95 Thesis?

What were the 95 Thesis?

Who was pope at this time?

What happened at the Diet of Worms? (1521)

Who became pope in 1522?

What happened to Rome in 1527?

What foreign power was responsible and who was its monarch?

When did Machiavelli die?
Thought-Provoking Questions:

How would YOU describe the Italian Peninsula during the lifetime of Niccolo Machiavelli? (14691527)

Considering these circumstances, what role do you think virtue and “goodness” will play in
Machiavelli’s recipe for political leadership?

How could such a chaotic and uncertain political structure produce the artistic masterpieces of the Italian
Renaissance?
The Prince – Dedicatory Letter:

To whom does Niccolo Machiavelli dedicate this book?

What relationship is this person to Lorenzo the Magnificent?

According to Machiavelli, why does the artist place himself “down in the plain?”

According to Machiavelli, what is required “to know well the nature of peoples?”

According to Machiavelli, what is required “to know well the nature of princes?”

What goal did Machiavelli seek in writing The Prince? (Refer to timeline – what were his life
circumstances at the time?)
Chapter I – Of Principalities

According to Niccolo Machiavelli, all states fall into two groups, which are
_________________________ and ___________________________.

Which principality was governed by the Sforza family?
Chapter II – Of Hereditary Principalities

Why is it easier to govern a hereditary principality such as Ferrara than a new state?

What state attacked Ferrara in 1484?

What state attacked Ferrara in 1510?

Who was pope in 1510?

A “natural prince” will be “more loved” [than a newly-established ruler] unless “extraordinary vices”
cause him to be _________________________.”
Chapter III – Of Mixed Principalities

Why do men “willingly change their lords?”

Why will the ruler of a newly conquered province find that his subjects are unhappy with him?

Why can the new ruler not use “strong medicine” against those who helped put him in power?

Which French king invaded Milan in 1499 and is used to illustrate the above issues?

When did Normandy become part of France?

When did Gascony become part of France?

What two conditions are imperative to peacefully rule a newly acquired state belonging to the same
province and sharing a common language?

When governing a foreign state, why is it advantageous for a ruler to establish residence there?

What example does Machiavelli use to illustrate this point?

Why is it more difficult to lose a province in which one lives?

Which is better for governing a newly-acquired, disparate (foreign) state and why; men-at-arms (a
military force) or colonies?

Why is it important to also control the surrounding lesser powers when administering a disparate newlyacquired state?

What example is given to support this view?

Why did the Venetians help bring Louis XII into the Northern Italian Peninsula?

Why was it a mistake for the French King Louis XII to give aid to Pope Alexander with respect to the
Romagna?

What five errors were committed by Louis XII in the Italian Peninsula?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

What two “favors were granted by Pope Alexander to Louis XII in return for the French king’s support
of the papal campaign in the Romagna?
A.
B.

Who was the father of Cesare Borgia?
Chapter IV – Why the Kingdom of Darius Which Alexander Seized Did Not Rebel from His
Successors after Alexander’s Death

What is the fundamental difference between the government structure in France and the Ottoman
Empire [Turks]?

What is a Sanjak?

Why will it be difficult to seize the Kingdom of the Turk but easy to hold it once taken?

Why will it be easier to seize France but more difficult to hold it?

How was Darius’ government similar to that of the Turk kingdom?

Why did the Kingdom of Darius, which was conquered by Alexander, not rebel following the death of
Alexander?
Chapter V – How Cities or Principalities Which Lived by Their Own Laws Before They Were
Occupied Should Be Administered

What are the three methods for governing newly-gained principalities used to living by their own laws?
A.
B.
C.

Which method did the Spartans employ in Athens?

What method did the Romans use against Carthage?

Why did Florence lose control of Pisa in 1494?
Chapter VI – Of New Principalities That Are Acquired through One’s Own Arms and Virtue

Why does Machiavelli advise the prudent man to “enter upon the paths beaten by great men and imitate
those who have been most excellent?

What did Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus have in common with respect to their experiences in
leadership?

For these four leaders, what was the relationship between fortune (circumstance, luck . . .) and virtue?

Why must the effective new leader be able to back up his virtue with armed force?

Who was Savonarola?

What was his fate?

According to Machiavelli, why was Savonarola doomed to failure?

Upon gaining the Kingdom of Syracuse, what two social institutions did he abolish or abandon?

Why?

What seems to be the fundamental relationship between virtue, circumstance (fortune), and arms for the
new leader?
Chapter VII – Of New Principalities That Are Acquired by Others’ Arms and Fortune

Describe three challenges which must befall a new leader whom has acquired his state only through
fortune (luck):
A.
B.
C.

According to Machiavelli, which method of acquiring a state is easier; through fortune or virtue?

Why?

Which is most important for maintaining control of a state in the long term?

Why?

What state was controlled by Francesco Sforza?

Which method did he use to become ruler?

Who was “Duke Valentino?”

How did he acquire his kingdom?

How did Cesare Borgia reward Remirro de Orco for his effective administration of the Romagna?

Explain four reasons that Cesare Borgia is Machiavelli’s role model for a ruler who acquires power
through fortune and the arms of others:
A.
B.
C.
D.

According to Machiavelli, what was Cesare Borgia’s ultimate mistake?
Chapter VIII – Of Those Who Have Attained a Principality through Crimes

Aside from fortune or virtue, what two additional modes exist through which a private individual can
become prince?
A.
B.

How did Agathocles become King of Syracuse in 316 BC?

How did Liverotto da Fermo acquire power in 1510 AD?

According to Machiavelli, when criminal acts are required of a would-be ruler to acquire power, how
should such nefarious behavior be accomplished?

Why does Machiavelli argue that “injuries must be done altogether and be tasted less, but benefits
should be spread out and tasted more”?
Chapter IX – Of the Civil Principality

When a private citizen becomes ruler in a civil principality, he must have support from either the
_______________ or the _______________.

Under what condition will the “great men” create a civil principality by raising one of their own to
princely status?

One ruler comes to power through the will of the common people. Another through the “support of the
great (rich and powerful citizens).” Which leader will have a more difficult time governing?

Why?

Why is the ambition of common people “more decent” than that of the rich and powerful?

Assume that a ruler is forced to offend either the common people of his province or the rich and
powerful elite. According to Machiavelli, which group should NOT be offended?

Why?

How will the wise prince ensure that citizens remain loyal to him in dangerous times?
Chapter X – In What Mode the Forces of All Principalities Should Be Measured

Niccolo Machiavelli begins this chapter by considering what?

Who does Machiavelli consider to be capable of ruling by themselves?

When do the cities of Germany (the Holy Roman Empire) obey the Holy Roman Emperor?

What is implied about the power of the Holy Roman Emperor?

Why do the German cities not fear their emperor?

According to Machiavelli, for how long can German cities resist a siege?

Machiavelli argues that a prince with a strongly fortified city cannot be attacked as long as he is not
___________ by the people.

What effect will burning the farms and possessions of a besieged city have on those barricaded within
the walls?

Why?

Machiavelli asserts that it is the nature of men to be obligated by what two types of benefits?
A.
B.

What benefits does the prince offer his citizens in a time of siege?

What benefits do the citizens offer the prince in a period of siege?
Chapter XI – Of Ecclesiastical Principalities

What is an “Ecclesiastical Principality?” (Hint: look up “ecclesiastical” in the dictionary)

Why does Machiavelli maintain that Ecclesiastical Principalities are maintained without fortune or
virtue?

When did King Charles VIII invade the Italian Peninsula?

Before Charles invaded, what five provincial rulers controlled the Italian Peninsula?
A.

B.
C.
What two major concerns did these princes share?
A.

D.
B.
Which two provinces did Italian leaders fear most?
A.
B.
E.

What was required to prevent the Venetians from enlarging their state? (This concept is known as a
“Balance of Power” and will become increasingly important throughout APEH!!!)

Which two Roman families were instrumental in preventing the pope from expanding the Papal States?
A.
B.

For how long did an average pope live?

How did the rivalry between the two clans serve to limit papal power?

Which pope was able to expand the temporal powers of the Church?

What does “Temporal” mean? (Hint . . . refer to dictionary)

What was Pope Alexander’s primary goal?

Who followed Alexander as pope?

Of what does Machiavelli refer when he states that Pope Julius II “Found a new way to accumulate
money never used by Alexander?”

Which German monk would later criticize this practice in 1517 by nailing a list of grievances against the
Roman Catholic Church to a cathedral door in Wittenburg?

What three political goals did Julius II have?
A.
B.
C.

Was he successful?

Who became Pope in 1513 following the death of Julius II?
The following three questions are NOT in Machiavelli’s Prince . . . Outside Research is required!!!

What was the relationship between Pope Sixtus IV (r. 1471-84) and Julius II (r. 1503-13)?

What monument did Julius II hire Michelangelo to paint that had been initially constructed under the
pontificate of Sixtus IV?

True or False: the reason great art such as this project was possible during the Renaissance was that the
Italian Peninsula was experiencing a period of peace and diplomatic harmony. Explain your response.
Chapter XII – How Many Kinds of Military There Are and Concerning Mercenary Soldiers

What are the two principal foundations shared by all successful states?
A.
B.

Why does Machiavelli argue that where there are good arms (an effective military) . . . “good laws must
exist”?

Why are mercenary soldiers “useless”?

According to Machiavelli, why is the Italian Peninsula currently in such a ruined state?

Machiavelli asserts that “arms have to be employed either by a ____________ or by a ____________.”

When a military operation is conducted by a prince, who must lead it?

Why?

When a republic finds a worthy military commander, how should his power be limited?

Is Machiavelli foreshadowing Montesquieu’s argument for “Checks and Balances”? Explain

What three examples are given of states that prospered while being simultaneously “armed” and “free”?
A.
B.
C.

Why did the Carthaginians fail, according to Machiavelli?

Complete the following chart:
Mercenary Leader:
Employed by what state?
Result:
Philip of Macedon
Francesco Sforza
Sforza’s Father

What political result happened after the Italians “began to repel the empire, and the Pope gained much
reputation in temporal affairs?”

Why did leaders of the Church and the republics begin to hire mercenary (foreign) soldiers?

As a result of the ruin brought about by mercenary forces, the Italian Peninsula “has been
______________ by Charles [VIII of France], taken as _______________ by Louis [XII of France],
______________ by Ferdinand [of Aragon . . . King of Spain, HRE], and _______________ by the
Swiss.”

In your own words, why does Niccolo Machiavelli warn against relying upon foreign, or mercenary
soldiers?
Chapter XIII – Of Auxiliary, Mixed, and One’s Own Soldiers

In addition to mercenary soldiers, what other forces are described by Machiavelli as “useless”?

With whom did Pope Julius II craft a military alliance against France during the Ferrara Campaign?

According to Machiavelli, why are auxiliary forces a “no-win” scenario for the prince (hint: what
happens when the auxiliary forces lose? What happens when they win?)

Why was Julius II extremely lucky following the defeat of Ferdinand’s forces at Ravenna in 1512?

Who designed the uniforms for the Swiss Guards that are stationed at the Vatican?

How many foreign (auxiliary) soldiers were brought against Pisa by the Florentines in 1500?

What nation were they from?

What happened in 1353 when the Emperor of Constantinople sent ten thousand Turks into Greece?
The next two questions require outside research!

When were the Turkish forces finally driven out of Greece?

Which western powers assisted in expelling the Turks from Greece?

Which is more dangerous to employ, mercenary arms or auxiliary arms?

Why?

Which is more of a threat when using mercenary forces; laziness or virtue?

Which is more of a threat when using auxiliary forces; laziness or virtue?

Why is Cesare Borgia held up as an example for his campaign in the Romagna?

How did Louis XI weaken the French army that had been so carefully built during the reign of Charles
VII?

What does Machiavelli mean when he compares mercenary and auxiliary forces to a poison that at first
“tastes good” but later destroys?

Why might a prince easily fall into the trap of finding instant benefit with mercenary or auxiliary forces?

Why do mercenary and auxiliary troops initially “taste good” to many leaders?

According to Machiavelli, what was the first cause for the downfall of the Roman Empire?

Summarize in your own words Machiavelli’s position on mercenary and auxiliary forces.
Chapter XIV – What a Prince Should do Regarding the Military

What art (profession) should the prince study?

Why?

What example is given of a private citizen who becomes a prince?

Why is it reasonable to expect someone who is armed NOT to willingly obey one who is unarmed?

What are the TWO ways that a prince can focus on the exercise of war?
A.
B.

Why is hunting beneficial to the art of war?

What two military benefits come to the prince who studies geography (“the nature of sites”).
A.
B.

What reading material should the prince focus on and why?

If a modern-day prince were to take a vacation, according to Machiavelli where should he go and why?
(hint: use your imagination – but justify your response!)
Chapter XV – Of Those Things for Which Men and Especially Princes Are Praised or
Blamed

Why must the effective prince “learn NOT to be good?”

Defined the following vocabulary terms:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Avaricious
Rapine
Rapacious
Effeminate
Pusillanimous
Lascivious
Astute

When Machiavelli wrote the Prince in 1513, the Roman Catholic Church was a dominant social
institution. Yet Machiavelli seems to imply that an effective prince must often act against Christian
principals. Why?
Chapter XVI – Of Liberality and Parsimony

Why is it dangerous for a prince to be overly liberal?

How is Machiavelli using the term “liberal”?

Whose wealth should a wise prince spend in order to be considered “liberal” and why?

What should the prince guard against at all costs?

Why does being liberal cause a prince to become poor or hated?

If given a choice, should the prince seek a reputation for liberality (free spending) or “meanness”
(frugality)?

Why?
Chapter XVII Of Cruelty and Mercy, and Whether It Is Better to be Loved Than Feared, or
the Contrary . . . Coach Adair’s favorite chapter!!!

Why does Machiavelli argue that Cesare Borgia was actually more merciful than the Florentines?

Machiavelli argues essentially that an effective leader must “be cruel in order to be kind” at times. Is
this supposition still applicable today? Explain and provide one example.

Does Machiavelli’s advice hold true for parents with respect to their children today? Explain

Should a classroom teacher (Coach Adair for example) follow Machiavelli’s advice that sometimes it is
necessary to be cruel in order to be kind? Explain

Should a leader desire to be loved or feared by his or her subjects? Explain

If a leader must choose between being feared or loved, which should be selected?

Why?

With respect to Al-Qaeda - does Machiavelli’s advice concerning fear and love apply today? Explain

How does Machiavelli describe human nature and the “Condition of Men”?

Why do men have “less hesitation to offend one that has sought to be loved rather than feared?”

Does this point apply to school teachers? Provide one example defending your assertion.

If a prince must strive to be feared, why must he avoid being hated by his subjects?

How can the effective prince avoid the hatred of his people?
A.
B.
C.

Of these three methods for NOT being hated, which one is most important and why?

Why was Hannibal a brilliant military leader according to Machiavelli?

Why was Scipio a poor leader and referred to as the “Corruptor of the Roman Army”?

At whose convenience do men love?

At whose convenience do men fear?

Assume that you are a new high school teacher and that your principal has required that you read
Niccolo Machiavelli’s Prince, Chapter XVII in preparation for managing your classroom. What lessons
can be applied to a modern public high school classroom from this chapter? [Note the large space for
your detailed response!]
Chapter XVIII . . . In what Mode Faith Should Be Kept by Princes

What are the two types of combat?
A.
B.

Which is preferred?

Why is it necessary to be able to use both?

SEAL Team Six eliminated Osama Bin Laden on May 1, 2011. Which type of combat was most
important in this instance and WHY?

Why was Chiron a superb teacher for Achilles?

Why must the effective leader act as both the “Fox and the Lion?”

How did the American president exhibit the leadership qualities of BOTH Fox and Lion in his decision
to employ SEAL Team Six against Osama Bin Laden on May 1, 2011? Explain:

When should the prudent leader NOT act in accord with religious principals, according to Machiavelli?

Why does Machiavelli assert that an effective prince must be skilled in the art of deception?

What effective leader is presented as an expert in deception?

What are the five qualities that a leader should SEEM to possess?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Would Machiavelli agree that a leader is “either manipulating his people or being manipulated by
them”?

Have you ever manipulated your parents or teachers? (explain at your own risk)

How might parents avoid being manipulated by their children? (one specific example please)

How might teachers avoid being manipulated by their students? (one specific example please)

Referring to the five qualities of leadership that Machiavelli argues an effective prince should SEEM to
possess, which is most important and why?

What does Machiavelli mean when he argues that the “ends justify the means”?

Why does he assert this point?

Martin Luther King Jr. took a NON-Machiavellian approach by relying on the Christian principals of
non-violence and passive resistance during the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X took a more
Machiavellian approach when he argued that African-American equality must be achieved “by any
means necessary.” Although both leaders were murdered, which was more successful and why?
Chapter XIX – Of Avoiding Contempt and Hatred

What two abuses will make a leader hated?
A.

B.
What five qualities should the effective prince seek NOT to acquire?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Define (in the context that Machiavelli uses them) the following vocabulary terms:
A. Variable
B. Light
C. Pusillanimous
D. Irresolute

What two fears should a prince have?

Which fear is “internal”?

Which fear is “external”?

What does Machiavelli mean when he states that “with good arms, one will always have good friends”?

What is the most powerful remedy in preventing conspiracy?

Annibale Bentivoglio was prince of what state?

Who assassinated him?

What happened to the assassin?

What point was Machiavelli attempting to make with the Bentivoglio anecdote?

Which state is described as well-ordered and well-governed?

Why is the French Parlement presented as an institution of “infinite good”? (Note: the Parlement was a
legal court, NOT a legislative assembly!)

Why should the prince get others to do his “dirty work” for him?

Why should the prince grant favors to the people personally?

Of all the Roman emperors listed, which was the only ruler to “live and die most honorably”?

Who was the son of Marcus Aurelius?

How does Machiavelli describe Commodus?

Why did the Roman army despise Emperor Alexander?

Which Emperors are described as “cruel and rapacious”?

What does “rapacious” mean?

Why was Emperor Severus unique?

Which faction of Roman society was Severus able to keep on his side?

Which faction hated him and why?

Why did Commander Severus march his army to Rome?

Following the death of Julianus, which two rivals did Severus eliminate?

How did Severus emulate Machiavelli’s proverbial lion?

How did Severus act as the fox?

What mistake cost Emperor Caracalla his life?

Why was Emperor Commodus hated by his own people?

Why was Commodus despised by the Roman army?

What did Emperor Maximinus do in civilian life at Thrace?

Why must a new prince select qualities from Marcus Aurelius and Severus when establishing his
government?
Chapter XX – Whether Fortresses and Many Other Things Which Are Made and Done by
Princes Every Day Are Useful or Useless

Should the new prince of a new state seek to arm his subjects or disarm them and why?

Should the prince of an established state that is being added to his old holdings seek to arm or disarm his
subjects and why?

What was the result of the Venetian strategy of dividing the people of subject cities?

Why might the wise prince want to “nourish some enmity (hatred)” in order to crush it?

Why will the prince of a newly acquired state taken through “internal support” (conspiracy from within)
find that he can never rely on the conspirators once he is in control?

With whom should the new prince ally in this situation?

Fortresses should be built when a ruler fears __________________ more than __________________.

Fortresses should be eliminated when a ruler fears ____________________ more than
___________________.

According to Machiavelli, what is the best fortress that a ruler can possess?

This example seems particularly well suited to the condition of France in 1789 – explain:
Chapter XXI – What a Prince Should Do to Be Held in Esteem:

What province was attacked and taken in 1492 by Ferdinand of Aragon?

Who were the “Marranos” and happened to them?

(Outside research required, or ask Coach Adair!) How did Ferdinand and Isabella’s treatment of the
Marranos in 1492 actually damage Spain in the long run?

Who created the Holy League?

What state was the Holy League designed to contain?

When did Spain join the Holy League?

Why is the prince held in high esteem when he “is a true friend” or a “true enemy”?

Why should the prince encourage his subjects to pursue business interests such as trade and agriculture?

What is implied concerning Machiavelli’s position on taxes?

According to Machiavelli, why should the prince in need of tremendous revenue to finance his military
activities (or domestic agenda) encourage business interests with low taxes?

Why must the prince NOT overtax his people?

If the prince does NOT require high taxes of his subjects, then how will he acquire the funds necessary
to provide for the military defense of the state?

How do stable government and a reasonable tax system encourage business growth and prosperity?

If business is encouraged by the prince through relatively low taxes, then what will happen to the
prince’s treasury as more business relocates to his state from higher-taxing provinces?

How do festivals, business incentives, and low taxes achieve the prince’s two fundamental goals –
raising sufficient funds to defend the state while not being hated by the people?
Chapter XXII – Of Those Whom Princes Have as Secretaries

What is the first measure of the intelligence of a leader?

Can Machiavelli’s wisdom concerning secretaries be applied to a classroom teacher’s choice in
Teaching Assistants? Why or why not?

Much of the credit for a successful classroom environment is a result of quality Teaching Assistants –
provide one example of this fact in Coach Adair’s classroom.

The “three types of brains” recognized by Machiavelli are
A.
B.
C.
Chapter XXIII – In what Mode Flatterers are to be Avoided

Why should a prince be very careful to avoid the counsel of “flatterers” (yes-men, suck-ups, kiss-_ . . .)

When men feel free to tell the truth to the boss, then they no longer fear him (lack reverence). An
effective boss, however, requires honest counsel from advisors. How does Machiavelli resolve this
paradox?

Why might Emperor Maximilian NOT appreciate Machiavelli’s comments in this regard?

Why must “good counsel arise from the prudence of the prince” and not vice versa?

Since Machiavelli was seeking employment as a government official, does this chapter seem a bit selfserving? Explain
Chapter XXIV – Why the Princes of Italy Have Lost Their States

Why are new princes judged much more by their actions than hereditary rulers?

What hereditary title was held by Frederick of Aragon until he lost it in 1501?

What common mistake was shared by the Italian princes who have been deposed?

According to Machiavelli, what is the basis for any solid defense?
Chapter XXV – How Much Fortune Can Do in Human Affairs, and in What Mode it May Be
Opposed

How would Machiavelli respond to someone blaming life’s defeats and disappointments upon ill fortune
and God’s Will?

Does Machiavelli imply that the cautious leader is doomed to fail? Explain

Which impetuous pontiff is presented as an example of superb leadership in this chapter?

According to Machiavelli, which is a better leadership trait, caution or impetuousness?

How is “fortune like a woman” (from Machiavelli’s point of view as a resident of sixteenth-century
Florence – an incredibly sexist culture by modern American standards)

From your point of view, is there any validity in Machiavelli’s analogy? Explain (be careful here fellas,
do not write anything that your mother would not appreciate)
Chapter XXVI – Exhortations to Seize Italy and to Free Her from the Barbarians

Why is it necessary for a principality to be enslaved or fall on extraordinarily hard times in order to
discover a brilliant leader?

To whom is Machiavelli writing this work?

In his final chapter, what is Machiavelli’s goal?

“For war is just to whom it is __________________, and arms are pious when __________________.”

According to Machiavelli, why has every Italian army been “bad” during the previous two decades?

What is the weakness of the Spanish military?

What is the weakness of the Swiss infantry?

What nation’s cavalry should the Italian infantry copy?

What nation’s infantry should the Italian infantry copy?

Cite Petrarch’s quote that Machiavelli uses to end The Prince: