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A 5 page analysis of Machiavelli's account of the lives of Cesare Borgia, Agathocles and Oliverotto of Fermo, which appears in The Prince. The writer argues that Machiavelli praises Borgia, and criticizes the other two men because of the manner in which they handled having absolute political power. An examination of this section of The Prince reveals this criticism is not due to moral scruples on the part of Machiavelli, but rather indicates his completely pragmatic approach to obtaining and retaining political power. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khborao.rtf
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faith, without mercy, without religion, such methods may gain empire, but not glory." Machiavelli makes this remark while discussing the careers of Cesare Borgia, Agathocles and Oliverotto of Fermo. While
Machiavelli praises Borgia, he criticizes the other two men and the way that they handled having absolute political power. An examination of this section of The Prince reveals this
criticism is not due to moral scruples on the part of Machiavelli, but rather indicates his completely pragmatic approach to obtaining and retaining political power. Under the heading
"Concerning those who have obtained a principality by wickedness," Machiavelli begins his observations by outlining the bloody career of Agathocles, the low-born Sicilian who became King of Syracuse in the
fourth century BC. The son of a potter, Agathocles rose in the ranks of the military to become Praetor of Syracuse. However, having achieved this rank by public assent,
Agathocles aspired to even more power and resolved "to make himself prince and to seize by violence, without obligation to others" (Machiavelli). Agathocles called a meeting of the senate
of Syracuse and, when all of the most influential and powerful men were assembled, he gave the signal and all were murdered by his soldiers. Machiavelli notes that overthrow
of the government was quick and without "civil commotion." But while Machiavelli praises Agathocles on one hand, he also points out that at each step, the Sicilian leader held
to a path that encompassed "a thousand troubles and perils" and, even after grabbing power through violence, it was held with "many hazardous dangers." While Machiavelli has nothing but praise
for Agathocles ability to extricate himself from difficult situations, he asserts that this ancient Greek military leaders memory is not honored because of his "barbarous cruelty" and "infinite wickedness."
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