In 1512 Giovanni de’ Medici reconquered the republic of Florence after the Medici lost control of the city in 1494. Niccolò Machiavelli, who served the republic as Secretary to the Second Chancery, was deprived of office by the Medici and accused of conspiracy, arrested, and imprisoned for a time. Released from jail, he retired to his estate and devoted himself to study. In his exile in 1513 he wrote Il Principe, which was published in 1532. John McCormick’s lecture will open the celebrations on the quincentennial of The Prince at Columbia University.
Benedetto Fontana will respond, and Nadia Urbinati will chair.