Page "The Prince" Paragraph 6

As shown by his letter of dedication, Machiavelli's work eventually came to be dedicated to Lorenzo di Piero de ' Medici, grandson of " Lorenzo the Magnificent ", and a member of the ruling Florentine Medici family, whose uncle Giovanni became pope Leo X in 1513.

It is known from his personal correspondence that it was written during 1513, the year after the Medici took control of Florence, and a few months after Machiavelli's arrest, torture, and banishment by the in-coming Medici regime.

It was discussed for a long time with Francesco Vettori, a friend of Machiavelli who he wanted to pass it and commend it to the Medici.

The book had originally been intended for Giuliano di Lorenzo de ' Medici, young Lorenzo's uncle, who however died in 1516.

It is not certain that the work was ever read by any of the Medici before it was printed.

Machiavelli describes the contents as being an un-embellished summary of his knowledge about the nature of princes and " the actions of great men ", based not only on reading but also, unusually, on real experience.