The Prince · Chapter
Endnotes explained
This chapter provides editorial annotations and historical clarifications for references in The Prince, including biographical notes on figures such as Maximilian I, Louis XII, Charles VIII, Francesco Sforza, Cesare Borgia, Alexander VI, Ju
What happens
This chapter provides editorial annotations and historical clarifications for references in The Prince, including biographical notes on figures such as Maximilian I, Louis XII, Charles VIII, Francesco Sforza, Cesare Borgia, Alexander VI, Julius II, Agathocles, and others, as well as explanations of terms, battles, and sources.
Themes in this chapter
Acquisition and Maintenance of Power
The notes on Cesare Borgia's assassinations and the rise of Francesco Sforza illustrate strategies for acquiring and securing power.
Military Strength and Self-Reliance
References to the 'White Company' and Italian condottieri, along with the debate on Roman military obligations, highlight the importance of military strength.
Characters to notice
- Maximilian I
Born 1459, died 1519, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; married Mary of Burgundy and later Bianca Sforza, involved in Italian politics.
- Louis XII
King of France, 'The Father of the People,' born 1462, died 1515; divorced Jeanne to marry Anne of Brittany.
- Charles VIII
King of France, born 1470, died 1498; invaded Italy in 1494.
- Francesco Sforza
Born 1401, died 1466; married Bianca Maria Visconti and became Duke of Milan.
- Cesare Borgia
Machiavelli was the accredited agent of the Florentine Republic to Cesare Borgia during the assassinations at Sinigalia.
- Pope Alexander VI
Died of fever, 18th August 1503; noted for the 'chalk in hand' remark about Charles VIII's invasion.
- Pope Julius II
Giuliano della Rovere, Cardinal of San Pietro ad Vincula, born 1443, died 1513.
- Agathocles
Agathocles the Sicilian, born 361 BC, died 289 BC.
Key passages
“The older one gets the more convinced one becomes that his Majesty King Chance does three-quarters of the business of this miserable universe.”
With age, one realizes that chance governs most of human affairs.
Attributed to Frederick the Great, quoted in Sorel's Eastern Question.
“That the Frenchmen came into Italy with chalk in their hands, to mark up their lodgings, rather than with swords to fight.”
The French conquered Italy so easily they only needed chalk to mark their quarters, not swords to fight.
A bon mot of Pope Alexander VI, also cited by Lord Bacon.
“Alexander never did what he said, Cesare never said what he did.”
Alexander VI never kept his promises, and Cesare Borgia never revealed his actions.
Italian proverb referenced in the endnotes.