The Life of Castruccio Castracani

Rising from humble beginnings as a foundling, Castruccio Castracani came to prominence as one of the most powerful and shrewd warlords in Italy. Indeed, Machiavelli argues, so great was his vigour and charisma that - had he not been prevented by his untimely death - he might have surpassed in fame the great generals of antiquity and brought all the territories of Italy under his sole dominion.

Written in Machiavelli's characteristically lucid and terse style, Life of Castruccio Castracani is not only a key text in understanding the development of the author's ideas on leadership and good statesmanship that would find fuller expression in The Prince, but also a revealing account of the political ferment and fractious factionalism of fourteenth-century Italy.

This edition is accompanied by selected passages from Machiavelli's Florentine Histories and a detailed map with historical notes.

ABOUT THE SERIES: This series has been created with the aim of redefining and enriching the classics canon by promoting unjustly neglected works of enduring significance. These texts have been treated with a fresh editorial approach, and are presented in an elegantly designed format.

Pages: 101

Publication year: 2020