Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli was a political philosopher from Florence, Italy. He lived during the Italian Renaissance from May 1469 to 1527. This period experienced by Machiavelli was the "renaissance" of art in Italy and the rediscovery of ancient philosophy, literature and science. During this Renaissance era, Italy was also involved in intense political conflict with the dominant city-states of Florence, Milan, Venice, Naples, the Papacy, France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. Machiavelli was a man who lived his life for politics and patriotism. He created numerous works such as The Prince, the History of Florence, the Art of War and the Discourses on the First Ten Books of Livy. Machiavelli is most famous for his political treatise, The Prince, written in 1513. After The Prince's writing was exposed to the public, Machiavelli quickly gained a bad reputation and was associated with corruption and totalitarian government. Many views and opinions have been formed about Machiavelli, as well as attempts to understand him and his writings on The Prince. Machiavelli's writings make it clear to people that he often professed a preference for drastic methods and for radical all-or-nothing solutions, as well as a disdain for delay, improvisation and compromise and a set of generally more characteristic of academic theorists than of practical businessmen. Nicolas Machiavelli wrote The Prince for Lorenzo de' Medici, who ruled Florence at the time. He believed that by writing a book about what he thought were the Medici's goals and dedicating it to them, he would win the family's favor and they would return his position to him. Machiavelli also believed that his writings would help make Medici a more effective ruler. One critic claims that Machiavelli advises the prince to read history and reflect on the actions of great men. This meant imitating great men and taking his conduct as a model; a great historical figure who achieved the greatest praise and glory by constantly keeping before him the deeds and achievements of a predecessor.