# The Prince — The Prince character guide > The Prince in The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. **Role:** major **Also known as:** The Prince **First appearance:** 0005-the-prince ## Who they are Not a man but a mirror Machiavelli holds up to rulers: a composite figure who must learn to be fox and lion, feared and never hated, if he wants to survive. ## Relationships ### [Philopoemen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/philopoemen) _professional_ Philopoemen is presented as a model of military virtue and prudence for the prince to emulate. ### [Lodovico Sforza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/lodovico_sforza) _professional_ Lodovico Sforza is discussed as a prince who lost power due to reliance on mercenaries and poor alliances. ### [Ferdinand of Aragon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/ferdinand_of_aragon) _professional_ Ferdinand is praised as a cunning and successful prince who used religion and war to expand his power. ### [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/cyrus) _professional_ Cyrus the Great is presented as an ideal prince who combined military prowess with wise governance. ### [Pandolfo Petrucci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/pandolfo_petrucci) _professional_ Pandolfo Petrucci is discussed as a ruler who maintained power through cunning and manipulation. ### [Ferdinand of Aragon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/ferdinand_of_aragon) _professional_ Ferdinand is praised as a cunning and successful prince who used religion and war to expand his power. ## In the story ### [The Man and His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/the-man-and-his-works) The central work discussed; described as dealing with eternal problems between rulers and ruled, and as being of abiding value for its insights into human nature and governance. ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/the-prince) The intended audience and subject of the work, representing a new ruler seeking to secure power. ### [II: Concerning Hereditary Principalities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/ii-concerning-hereditary-principalities) Implied hereditary ruler who can maintain power by following ancestral customs. ### [IV: Why the Kingdom of Darius, Conquered by Alexander, Did Not Rebel Against the Successors of Alexander at His Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/iv-why-the-kingdom-of-darius-conquered-by-alexander-did-not-rebel-against-the-successors-of-alexander-at-his-death) The chapter discusses the two types of principalities—centralized (like the Turk) and feudal (like France)—relevant to a prince's strategy. ### [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) Implied audience for the advice on how to securely hold newly acquired cities or principalities. ### [IX: Concerning a Civil Principality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/ix-concerning-a-civil-principality) The hypothetical ruler addressed in the chapter, advised on how to secure power through popular favor. ### [X: Concerning the Way in Which the Strength of All Principalities Ought to Be Measured](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/x-concerning-the-way-in-which-the-strength-of-all-principalities-ought-to-be-measured) The central figure addressed, who must assess his own strength and decide whether to rely on fortifications and popular support. ### [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 central subject of the chapter, whose conduct toward subjects and friends is analyzed. ### [XVII: Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved Than Feared](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xvii-concerning-cruelty-and-clemency-and-whether-it-is-better-to-be-loved-than-feared) The central subject of the chapter, advised to prefer being feared over loved while avoiding hatred. ### [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 central subject of the chapter, advised to use both law and force, and to appear virtuous while being prepared to act contrary to faith when necessary. ### [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) The central subject of the chapter, receiving advice on how to gain renown through decisive action and patronage. ### [XXII: Concerning the Secretaries of Princes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxii-concerning-the-secretaries-of-princes) The intended reader and subject of the chapter's advice on choosing and keeping honest secretaries. ### [XXIII: How Flatterers Should Be Avoided](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/chapters/xxiii-how-flatterers-should-be-avoided) The central subject of the chapter; advised to avoid flatterers by choosing wise counselors, inquiring of them, and being steadfast in resolutions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters/the_prince - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prince_se/characters