Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian historian, diplomat, and philosopher who is often credited with being the founder of modern political science. He also served as Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512. Machiavelli’s life coincided with tumultuous times when the Italian city-states were in flux. His experiences living during the Renaissance shaped Machiavelli’s political writings including his most important work, The Prince.The Prince is a political discourse on power politics. It provides a practical guide on ruling. Chapters include advice on how to acquire and hold new states, whether it is better to be feared or loved, and how to maintain a strong military.