# Niccolò Machiavelli — The Prince character guide > Niccolò Machiavelli in The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bernardo di Niccolò Machiavelli, Machiavelli, the young Machiavelli **First appearance:** 0001-youth ## Who they are A dismissed Florentine diplomat who, stripped of office and tortured, turns his fifteen years of statecraft into a cold manual on how power is actually won and kept. ## In the story ### [Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/youth) The subject of the chapter, his youth and early environment are discussed. ### [Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/office) Appointed Chancellor and Secretary to the Second Chancery; served the Republic until its fall. ### [Literature and Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/literature-and-death) Dismissed from office, imprisoned, tortured, then retired to write The Prince and other works; later commissioned to write the History of Florence; died in 1527. ### [The Man and His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/the-man-and-his-works) The subject of the chapter; described as a man of great observation, acuteness, and industry, but only moderately successful in his political employments, timid in his own affairs, and ultimately finding his forte in literature. ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/the-prince) Author and narrator of the treatise, drawing on his diplomatic experience and historical study. ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/dedication) The author, presenting his work and expressing his devotion and suffering under fortune's malignity. ### [II: Concerning Hereditary Principalities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/ii-concerning-hereditary-principalities) Author and narrator, setting aside republics to focus on principalities. ### [V: Concerning the Way to Govern Cities or Principalities Which Lived Under Their Own Laws Before They Were Annexed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/v-concerning-the-way-to-govern-cities-or-principalities-which-lived-under-their-own-laws-before-they-were-annexed) Author and analyst, presenting historical examples to support his argument on governing former free states. ### [VI: Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired by One’s Own Arms and Ability](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/vi-concerning-new-principalities-which-are-acquired-by-one-s-own-arms-and-ability) Author and narrator, analyzing the principles of acquiring new principalities through personal ability. ### [VII: Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired Either by the Arms of Others or by Good Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/vii-concerning-new-principalities-which-are-acquired-either-by-the-arms-of-others-or-by-good-fortune) Author and commentator; uses Cesare Borgia as a model for new princes. ### [IX: Concerning a Civil Principality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/ix-concerning-a-civil-principality) Author and analyst of civil principalities, drawing on historical examples to advise the prince. ### [XIII: Concerning Auxiliaries, Mixed Soldiery, and One’s Own](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xiii-concerning-auxiliaries-mixed-soldiery-and-one-s-own) Author and narrator; presents the argument against auxiliaries and mixed soldiery. ### [XV: Concerning Things for Which Men, and Especially Princes, Are Praised or Blamed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xv-concerning-things-for-which-men-and-especially-princes-are-praised-or-blamed) The author who departs from traditional moral teachings to offer practical advice based on real human behavior. ### [XVIII: Concerning the Way in Which Princes Should Keep Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xviii-concerning-the-way-in-which-princes-should-keep-faith) The author, who presents his observations on princely conduct and the necessity of breaking faith for state maintenance. ### [XXII: Concerning the Secretaries of Princes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxii-concerning-the-secretaries-of-princes) Author of The Prince, providing counsel on the selection and management of princely servants. ### [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) Author and narrator, presenting his views on fortune and free will. ### [XXVI: An Exhortation to Liberate Italy from the Barbarians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxvi-an-exhortation-to-liberate-italy-from-the-barbarians) Author of the exhortation; voice of the plea for Italian unity and military reform. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/niccolo_machiavelli - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters