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May

03

European History

Italian philosopher and writer Niccolo Machiavelli born

On May 3, 1469, the Italian philosopher and writer Niccolo Machiavelli is born. A lifelong patriot and diehard proponent of a unified Italy, Machiavelli became one of the fathers of modern political theory.

Niccolo Machiavelli

circa 1500: Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 - 1527), an Italian diplomat and political theorist. He served in the Florentine government until the Medici restoration in 1512, and in 1513, wrote his most famous work, 'The Prince'.  (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)

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