Machiavelli was born in Florence in 1469 of an old citizen family. Little is known about his life until 1498, when he was appointed secretary and second chancellor to the Florentine Republic.[1] During his time of office his journeys included missions to Louis XII of France and to the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I; he was with Cesare Borgia in the Romagna; and after watching the second Papal election of 1503 he accompanied Pope Julius II on his first campaign of conquest. In 1507, as chancellor of the newly appointed Nove di Milizia (Nine of the Militia), he organised an infantry force which fought at the capture of Pisa in 1509.[1] Three years later it was defeated by the Holy League at Prato, the Medici returned to Florence, and Machiavelli was excluded from public life. After suffering imprisonment and torture, he retired to his farm near San Casciano, where he lived with his wife and six children and gave his time to study and writing. His works included The Prince; the Discourses on the First Decade of Livy; The Art of War and the comedy, Mandragola, a satire on seduction. In 1520, Cardinal Giulio de' Medici (later Pope Clement VII, 1523) secured him a commission to write a history of Florence, which he finished in 1525. After a brief return to public life, he died in 1527.[1]
July: Machiavelli is sent on a six-month diplomatic mission to King Louis XII of France. In France, he also meets the Cardinal of Rouen Georges d'Amboise
Primavera di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. Sometimes referred to as Primerana, most likely named after her paternal aunt Primavera di Bernardo dei Machiavelli; presumably the suck daughter Marietta Corsini wrote about in a letter to Machiavelli from November 24, 1503, suggesting that she died soon afterwards due to a lack of further references. [6]
1502
In the wake of the execution of Savonarola; Piero Soderini is elected gonfaloniere of the Florentine Republic for life by the Florentines, with the pretext of being given the mission to re-stabilise the republican institutions.[2]
For Machiavelli's plan to assert Florentine authority over Pisa, which was in revolt against Florence from 1502–1509, Leonardo da Vinci is consulted on a scheme to divert the river Arno around Pisa to the sea at Livorno[7]
Bernardo II. di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. Most likely named after his paternal grandfather Bernardo I. di Niccolò dei Machiavelli. Marries Ippolita di Alessandro Rinuccini in 1543 and had with her two sons and three daughters (Niccolò, Leonarda, Maddalena, Alessandro, Sistilia). Worked as provincial treasurer of the Apostolic Camera in Perugia and Umbria from 1555-1565. Died 1574.[6][9]
1504
Machiavelli's poem; The First Decade (Italian: Decennale primo)[10] is published.
January: Machiavelli travels on his second mission to the court of Louis XII.[7]
Lodovico di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. Died during the Siege of Florence in 1530, part of the War of the League of Cognac. He was said to have a violent temperament, and was frequently in debt to his father. [11]
Description of German Affairs (Italian: Ritratto delle cose della Magna).[13]
[After April 1512 and before August 1513]
Description of French Affairs (Italian: Ritratto delle cose di Franca).[13]
November: Machiavelli is ousted from the Chancery and sentenced to a years confinement within Florentine territory.[13]
[1512-13]
Guido di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. Described as having a very gentle temperament. [11] Became prior of Santi Martino e Giusto in Lucardo. Promoted studies as translator and scholar of classical literature and languages. Studied music in his youth due to the wishes of his father, though he seemed to genuinely enjoy the pursuit, despite his frequent illness. [6] Wrote the comedy Tizia in 1550. Died in 1567.
1513
February: Machiavelli is tried for conspiracy, tortured and imprisoned.
March–April: After his release Machiavelli retires to his farm at Sant'Andrea in Percussina, seven miles south of Florence.
August: Miscarriage. His daughter dies three days after being born. Machiavelli described as falling into a 'deep sadness' over the events of the year, but especially this loss. [11]
[1514 or later]
Discourse or Dialogue on Our Language (Italian: Discorso o dialogo intorno alla nostra lingua).[13]
Piero di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. Also called Pietro in some sources. Most likely named after his maternal step-grandfather Piero di Francesco del Nero.[6] Became a sailor and cosmographer in 1534, was made commissioner of the galleys by Cosimo I. de Medici in 1557. Became a knight of the Order of Saint Stephen in 1562.[11]
[1515–1520]
Writes the novella Belfagor arcidiavolo[13] (published with Machiavelli's collected works in 1549).
Circa 1516
Manuscript copies of The Prince begin to circulate in and beyond Florence.[13]
[1517 or 1518]
Machiavelli's version of The Golden Ass (Italian: L'asino d'oro) of Apuleius, a satirical poem of eight chapters, written in terza rima. The poem concerns the theme of metamorphosis, and contains autobiographical, grotesque, and allegorical episodes.
Discourse on the Florentine Affairs After the Death of Lorenzo(Discorso delle cose fiorentine dopo la morte di Lorenzo).
1520
Bartolomea di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. Sometimes referred to as Baccia or Baccina. Married Giovanni di Giuliano dei Ricci in 1540 and had four sons and two daughters with him.
Totto di Niccolò dei Machiavelli is born. It is uncertain whether he was born to Marietta Corsini or Machiavelli's mistress, Barbara Salutati.[15] Most likely named after Machiavelli's younger brother, Totto di Bernardo dei Machiavelli. Is mentioned as having an infection of his eyes in a letter by his father to his elder brother Guido from April 2, 1527, suggesting that he might have died soon afterwards due to a lack of further references. Piero is frequently referred to as the youngest of Machiavelli's children, further supporting this conjecture.[6]
1525
Visits Rome to present his finished Florentine Histories (Italian:Istorie fiorentine) to Pope Clement. Machiavelli's satirical play The Mandrake (La Mandragola) is performed and acclaimed in Venice,[16] which he later visits on a mission to settle a trade dispute for the Wool Guild of Florence.[16]
1526
Report on the Fortifications of Florence (Relazione di una visita fatta per fortificare Firenze).
Gilbert, Albert H. (1961). The letters of Machiavelli, a selection of his letters (in English and Italian). New York, Capricorn Books. ISBN9780226500416.
Villari, Pasquale (1883). Niccolò Machiavelli and His Times (in English and Italian). Vol.4. Translated by Villari, Linda. C. K. Paul & Company. ISBN9780608351605.
Feldman, Martha; Gordon, Bonnie, eds. (23 March 2006). The Courtesan's Arts. Oxford University Press, USA (published 23 March 2006). p.146. ISBN9780195170290.
