Few literary works have inspired as diverse and impassioned opinions as Machiavelli’s The Prince. While some have denounced it as epitomizing the immorality and cynicism of despotic political rulers, others have considered it a paragon of pragmatism and lucidity in political affairs—including Napoleon Bonaparte, who deemed The Prince the only book that deserved to be read. In this program, the treatise that gave birth to modern political theory is examined in depth, both from a historical perspective and in the context of Machiavelli’s own turbulent life. As a diplomat and city official, Machiavelli witnessed firsthand and was eventually caught up in the power struggles and intrigues of 16th-century Florence. From these observations and experiences, The Prince—acknowledged by many as western history’s most important text on politics—was born. Includes numerous excerpts from the text. (23 minutes)