The History of Florence - Revision Summary and Quotes PDF

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The History of Florence (Florentine Histories) – Revision Notes Dedication – To the Most Holy And Blesse Father Our Ruler Clement VII, His Humble Servant Niccolo Machiavelli  

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States he’s used all his experience and skills, through great toil, to produce said text in an effort to satisfy Clement VII. For most of Florence’s history it was divided by internal divisions until, NM writes, the city’s government came under the Medici family’s protection. Referencing the Pope’s requirement that he writes about his family’s history without flattery, Machiavelli states it may seem like he’s disobeyed said orders as he rise of Giovanni, Cosimo, Piero & Lorenzo. States the praises he makes had to mentioned or otherwise be ignored. Machiavelli’s sought to satisfy everybody without defacing the truth.

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“Your Blessed Holiness especially charged and required me to write in such a way of the things done by your ancestors that I should be far from flattery.”

Preface 

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States original purpose was to begin in year 1434 – when the Medici family gained main power in Florence – but found it impossible because he predecessors, like d’Arezzo & Poggio, failed to acknowledge civil strife and internal hostilities of Florence and the effects these have had. In republics factional struggle has sometimes expanded, and sometimes ruined, cities although Florence’s factional quarrels are numerous with factions between the nobles and then the nobles and the middles class and final between the middle class and the masses. Such divisions, which have played a major and decisive role throughout Florence’s history, need description to which NM sets himself. Outlines the plan of his essay.

Book One – From The Decline of the Empire to 1434 Chapter 17 [The Crusades, 1088-1192] 

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Papacy came to widely hated Urban II who, in an effort to secure his position, made a speech against the infidels in Auvergne, France. Inflame people’s spirits so much it led to an expedition against the Saracens in Asia, later named the Crusades. Start was the expedition was glorious and led to the foundation of Knights of Jerusalem, even today holding Rhodes the sole obstacles to Mohammedan power as well as led to the founding of the order of the Templars. Powers involved in the expedition included France, England and Venice etc.

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“Many individuals without any pay served as soldiers [in the Crusades] – so powerful in the minds was men was religion, when they were moved by the examples of her leaders.”

Chapter 39 [A view of the Italian States, 1434] 

Reached narrative of ‘our’ time and will briefly bring to memory the situation of Italy, both as to rulers and military power.

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Outlines a large list of chief states e.g. Kingdom of Naples held by Queen Joanna II, part of Lombardy being subject of Duke Filippo, another part to the Venetians etc and all said principal powers were unarmed of their own weapons. The Pope, too, was unarmed. Similarly, because of dissentions in the republic which had destroyed the city’s nobility and now in the hands of men brought by trade, Florence was also unarmed. All weapons of Italy were in hands of lesser princes or men without territory who fought for their own personal benefit and nothing greater – lists certain notables of them. Suggests they’re poor in warfare, especially when compared to ancient examples.

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“The Pope, since weapons were unsuitable to him as an ecclesiastic, and Queen Joanna of Naples, since she was a woman, did of necessity what the others did by unwise choice.” “In the end these soldiers [lesser princes/men without territory] rendered war so abject than any average general in whom had been reborn some shadow of ancient efficiency would have put them to shame.”

Book Two – The Origin and Early History of Florence Chapter 12 [Strife between the nobles and the people, 1290-1295] 

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Suggests there exists, in all cities, natural disagreements between the people and the nobles, not being possible for them to agree on things and only revealed in Florence after fear of Ghibellines were conquered. Every day someone of the people was injured and Florence’s laws/magistrates weren’t powerful enough to avenge him because the nobles protected each other from them. Led to heads of gilds choosing a Gonfalonier of Justice – one of the people – whom they have 1000 men who was ready to aid justice whenever summoned by Signors or the Captain. Gilds were able to make this law as serious enmities existed between the nobles thus paying no attention to provisions made against them until they saw the harshness of them in action. At first they were terrified of the Gonfalonier’s power but soon placed some of their amongst the Signors to influence decisions made, reducing the chance it’d be enacted against them. Ultimately, Florence returned to its lawless state with the people once again being injured as they were before – the judges were too slow and sentences not carried out.

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“Such disagreement was not revealed as long as both feared the Ghibellines, but as soon as they were conquered it showed its power.” “It was easy for the gilds to make this law, since serious enmities were rife among the nobles, who paid no attention to the provision made against them until they saw the harshness of that act of enforcement.”

Chapter 40 [The rebellion of Andrea Strozzi; the nobility and the people prepare for civil war, 1343] 

Serious shortage of food led to widespread discontent in Florence between nobles & rich leading to Messer Andrea Strozzi believing he could seize the city and attempted to rouse the people to arms. Brought together more than 4000 men and demanded concessions of the Signors e.g. the Palace should be opened to all but the Signors threatened the men who, gradually, dissipated out of fear. Strozzi had to flee.

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The failure gave hope to the nobles they could overcome the people and decided to further strengthen their position, giving themselves arms, fortified their homes and sent for help from Lombardy. The people, with the Signors, also prepared themselves by arming themselves and calling in help from their friends the Perugians and Sienese – ultimately, the whole city was under arms.

Book Three – Florence from 1353 to 1414 Chapter 13 [A speech on the wrongs of the lower class, 1378] 

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Poorest people, those subject to the Wool Gild and others met together multiple times at night discussing events and the dangers they were in and one fiery and experienced one spoke to arouse the others. Accepts that many ills have already been done as a result of their taking up of arms and now they need to make themselves secure from revenge when they lay said weapons down. It is a necessity and this is the important thing. Wants to seek reassurances that they’ll not be punished for things they’ve already done as well as, in the future, live with more liberty and life satisfaction. To be able to achieve this, the speaker advocates committing new transgressions, doubling efforts and multiplying arson/robbery – believes little faults are punished, serious/great ones rewarded. What he advocates, he states, is achievable as those who might hinder them are disunited and rich. Emphasises they’re just the same as the poor when everything is stripped away. Strikes a sad note than certain people gathered there are repentant about what they’ve done, goes onto try to convince them that their actions of justifiable because of how dire their situation is, in fear of hunger and prison, and thus they shouldn’t fear Hell. The rich he’s opposed to, he states, have come such through fraud and force, trickery or violence under false title. Suggests God himself favours the rich and the powerful and they’re always allowed to punish the weak and powerless and thus the people need to take a chance when it’s presented to them by Fortune which they now have. Accepts his plan is dangerous but argues it’s necessary and that, essentially, with great risk comes great reward. Concludes that the speech was very powerful and inflamed the people’s spirits making them take up arms to an even greater extent.

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Speaker (Ciompi revolt) - “Where many are, nobody is punished; little faults are punished, great and serious ones are rewarded.” Speaker (Ciompi revolt) - “Of conscience we need to take no account, for when people fear hunger and prison, as we do, they cannot and should not have any fear of Hell.” Speaker (Ciompi revolt) - “We ought, then, to use force when we get a chance. None greater can be offered to us by Fortune, since now the citizens are disunited, the Signoria hesitating, the magistrates frightened.” Speaker (Ciompi revolt) – “You see the preparations of our adversaries; let s get ahead of their plans; for whichever of us first takes arms will without doubt be the winner.”

Book Four – Florentine Affairs From 1414 to 1434 Chapter 6 [War with Filippo begins; the battle of Zagonara, 1424]

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Focuses in on one of Duke Filippo’s commanders – Agnolo della Pergola – during his war against Florence and their newly hired ally Count Alberigo who raided the enemy from his city Zagonara The former commander, laying siege to the latter’s city, forced Alberigo into submission. The Florentines, determining Filippo/Agnolo shouldn’t be permitted such a victory, marched against them although were vanquished upon contact with the enemy chiefly because of the weather which exhausted the Florentine army. States the defeat was reported widely across Italy but nobody except three men died and these as a result of falling from their horses, drowning in mud.

Book Five – The Government of Cosimo Until the Battle of Anghiari, 1434-1440 Chapter 1 [The cycle of human affairs; the weak rulers, soldiers and peoples if Italy] 

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Outlines a cycle for countries to go from order to disorder etc which NM attributes to Nature not allowing things to remain fixed, perfect or utterly defect. Links this directly to human action and the men different times which different men are suited for. Such a cycle’s sometimes brought the Italian peninsula happiness, sometimes misery although states nothing redeeming has been built upon the Roman ruins apart from a few cities and states born from it – Florence is one of these. Will show the terrible reasons as to why Italy is in the situation she is e.g. deceptions/tricks/schemes of princes, soldiers and heads of republics have employed to keep their positions which they didn’t deserve.

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“Countries generally go from order to disorder and then from disorder move back to order because – since Nature does not allow worldly things to remain fixed – when they come to their utmost perfection, and have no further possibility for rising, they must go down.” “Upon the Roman ruins nothing has afterwards been built to redeem her [Italy] from those ruins.”

Book Six – The Power of Cosimo De’ Medici; From Duke Filippo’s Efforts for Peace to the Abandonment of Naples by the Angevins, 1440-1463 Chapter 1 [Italian wars enrich mercenaries; impoverish princes and people] 

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A prince is only made rich by victories in wars where he destroys his enemy and his master of the booty but can be impoverished by victories too when, whilst he has conquered his enemies, they’re not destroyed and his soldiers get the booty instead. This didn’t happen in Ancient times as the victories filled treasuries and gifts were given to the people or entertainment put on for them. The flaw of today’s warfare result from bad methods of how they’re waged to the benefit of the soldiers who fought them and not the people.

Book Seven – Largely But Not Wholly on Affairs in Florentine Territory During the Latter Years of Cosimo and the Early Years of Lorenzo, 1427-1478 Chapter 1 [The relation of Florence to Italy; party strife in Florence, 1434-1455] 

States he’s promised to write on the affairs of Italy in this text, not just of Florence and thus has hand to discuss happenings elsewhere e.g. in Lombardy.

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Wishes to explain why those who believe republics can be united are deceived. Accepts some divisions are harmful to republics and others beneficial and of the latter, they’re accompanied by factions/partisans. It follows that a founder of a republic must provide there’s no factions, as he cannot prevent divisions. The founder this must note two ways for citizens to gain reputation: activity on behalf of the public and activity for personal gain. The former is through things like winning a battle/carrying on an embassy with dignity, the latter by doing favour for certain citizens, aiding them in getting undeserved offices etc. A citizen who confers private benefits will harm the republic if they have partisans that follow them for their own personal profit – will generate hatred in turn. If partisans don’t exist, even very selfishly ambitious individuals can benefit their state having to make the republic great to succeed themselves. Enmities in Florence were those of factions and therefore dangerous, no victorious faction remained united except if there existed vigorous opposition. In 1434 Cosimo de’ Medici’s party was superior and managed to remain united/gracious as the enemy faction continued to instil fear and suggests the people enabled them to stay in power.

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“I wish to some extent to explain in general why those who believe republics can be united are greatly deceived in their belief. It is true that some divisions harm republics and some divisions benefit them. Those that do harm are accompanied by factions and partisans.” “The enmities in Florence were always those of factions and therefore always dangerous.” “In 1434 Cosimo de’ Medici’s party was superior, but because the defeated part was strong and abounded in powerful men, Cosimo’s faction through fear continued for a time to be united.”

Chapter 3 [Cosimo will not consent to violence; Luca Pitti gets a balia by force, 1458] 

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Accepted the rich’s desire to take himself and themselves out of the power of the masses although said he’d only do it with the consent of the people and not by force although an attempt to pass a balia in the Councils failed causing the rich to beg again. Luca Pitti became Gonfalonier of Justice and Cosimo thought it time to let him control the current affair so if an attempt was made the blame would be placed on Luca, not himself. At once, Luca proposed to re-establish the balia but when he didn’t get this he threatened with words and later actions those on the Councils who opposed him forcing with armed to consent to his wishes.

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“Cosimo answered that he was willing, but he wished the law to be made by due process and with the consent of the people, and not by force.” “Cosimo thought it proper time to let Luca control the affair, so that if by that attempt they became liable to some blame, it would be charged to Luca, and not himself.” “After filling the Palace with armed men, he [Luca] summoned the people to the Public Square, and by force and with weapons made them accept what earlier they had not voluntarily accepted.”

Chapter 5 [The career of Cosimo; his death, 1464]

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Florence continued to be divided and such began in Cosimo’s party in 1455 and he died later in 1464 from illness and NM suggests he was sorrowed by friends and enemies alike. This was especially the case as people didn’t really trust his son, Piero. Extremely praiseworthy of Cosimo, his actions and reputation e.g. linked to his lending practices to all Florence’s inhabitants.

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“Cosimo left deep regrets on the part of everybody.” “There was no citizen of any standing in the city to whom Cosimo had not lent a large sum of money.” “Civil strife always increased his [Cosimo’s] influence in Florence, and external wars his power and reputation.”

Chapter 30 [Force used against Volterra, 1472] 

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Lorenzo de’ Medici’s believed the Volterra situation to be an opportunity to show how much he could accomplish and determined a campaign should be undertaken against them to punish the arrogance of the Volterrani through arms and by extension made an example of them for others to observe and learn from. Volterra, being informed of the decision, prepared their defences although few Italian princes responded to their call for help and their slow action contrasts to the vigour with which the Florentines acted, laying siege to the city with a large army. The mercenaries, about 1000, the Volterrani had hired were slow and seeing the vigour of the Florentine army quickly succumbed in the battle leaving the citizens of that city defenceless – decided better to hand themselves over to the commissioners and opened the gates. Upon doing this, great part of the Florentine army plundered major parts of the city leading to it being sacked and devastated – which NM attributes to human nature – with neither women or holy places spared. News of the victory was well received in Florence & Lorenzo’s reputation increased as a result.

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“The Volterrani had hired for their defence about a thousand soldiers, who, seeing the vigorous siege the Florentine were carrying on and having no hope they could resist it, were slow in defence and very quick in the injuries the did every day to the Volterrani.” “From this beginning [plunder of an official’s house], since men are readier to evil than to good, came the devastation and sack of that city” and “neither women nor holy places were spared.”

Book Eight – Florence From the Pazzi Conspiracy to the Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent, 1478-1492 Chapter 36 [The death of Lorenzo de’ Medici; his career, 1492]  

After ending war over Sarzana, NM says Florentines lived in the greatest happiness until Lorenzo’s death before which he strengthened his position and power in the city. Notes Lorenzo paid for fortifications in many places to solidify his power as well as kept on giving the people festivities e.g. jousts in order to keep the people united the nobles honoured.

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Machiavelli suggests both Fortune and God loved Lorenzo and all his enterprises ended successfully and his enemies’ unsuccessfully and his reputation, because of his prudence, increased daily. Furthermore, no vices can be brought against him that would soil his virtues. Writes he was deeply mourned in Florence and would ‘potentially lead’ to great calamity as well as mourned by all the princes of Italy.

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“By Fortune and by God, Lorenzo was greatly loved.” “His reputation, because of his prudence, daily increased.”...