Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was an Italian political philosopher, historian, and writer, best known for The Prince, a pragmatic guide to power and statecraft. His realist approach to politics, emphasizing cunning and adaptability, gave rise to the term “Machiavellian.” Beyond politics, he also wrote histories, plays, and military treatises. His works, which continue to spark debate, are now in the public domain.
