# Ferdinand of Aragon — The Prince character guide

> Ferdinand of Aragon in The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ferdinand of Aragon, Ferdinand

**First appearance:** 0027-xxi-how-a-prince-should-conduct-himself-so-as-to-gain-renown

## Who they are

Spanish king who used religion as pretext for conquest and expansion.

## Relationships

### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/the_prince)

_professional_

Ferdinand is praised as a cunning and successful prince who used religion and war to expand his power.

### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/the_prince)

_professional_

Ferdinand is praised as a cunning and successful prince who used religion and war to expand his power.

## In the story

### [Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/office)

Portrayed as a ruler who achieved great things under the cloak of religion but lacked mercy and integrity.

### [The Man and His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/the-man-and-his-works)

Cited as a ruler whose character, hiding vices under the cloak of religion, was exposed by Machiavelli.

### [I: How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are, and by What Means They Are Acquired](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/i-how-many-kinds-of-principalities-there-are-and-by-what-means-they-are-acquired)

Referenced as the King of Spain who annexed the kingdom of Naples to his hereditary state.

### [III: Concerning Mixed Principalities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/iii-concerning-mixed-principalities)

King of Spain with whom Louis XII divided the kingdom of Naples.

### [XII: How Many Kinds of Soldiery There Are, and Concerning Mercenaries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xii-how-many-kinds-of-soldiery-there-are-and-concerning-mercenaries)

Mentioned as one who ravaged Italy, enabled by the weakness of mercenary-based defenses.

### [XVI: Concerning Liberality and Meanness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xvi-concerning-liberality-and-meanness)

Mentioned as the present King of Spain who would not have succeeded in many enterprises if he had been reputed liberal.

### [XXI: How a Prince Should Conduct Himself So as to Gain Renown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxi-how-a-prince-should-conduct-himself-so-as-to-gain-renown)

Presented as a model new prince who rose to prominence through great enterprises, using religion as a cloak for his actions.

### [XXV: What Fortune Can Effect in Human Affairs and How to Withstand Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxv-what-fortune-can-effect-in-human-affairs-and-how-to-withstand-her)

King of Spain, initially not agreeable to Julius II's enterprise but stood irresolute.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/ferdinand_of_aragon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters