Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer, best known for his political treatise, *The Prince*. He is often considered the father of modern political theory. Machiavelli served as a senior official in the Florentine Republic, where he had responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. His works, particularly *The Prince*, advocate for pragmatic, sometimes ruthless, approaches to governance, emphasizing the importance of realpolitik 