A Great Military Philosopher of A Great Military Philosopher of the 16the 16thth Century Century

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Background on NicBackground on Niccolo Machiavellicolo Machiavelli

The Problem with EThe Problem with European warfareuropean warfare

Machiavelli’s PropoMachiavelli’s Proposalsal

The Art of WarThe Art of War Impact of his bookImpact of his book Further InformationFurther Information

on Machiavelli on Machiavelli

Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli

Traditionally considered a political Traditionally considered a political philosopherphilosopher

Mostly known for his books The Mostly known for his books The Prince and DiscorsiPrince and Discorsi

Gained recognition as a military Gained recognition as a military philosopher after publishing The Art philosopher after publishing The Art of Warof War

The ProblemThe Problem

European warfare had become drawn European warfare had become drawn out and indecisiveout and indecisive

New fortifications made traditional New fortifications made traditional siege techniques obsoletesiege techniques obsolete

There were no professional national There were no professional national armiesarmies

Military force was dependant on Military force was dependant on mercenaries which were unreliable at mercenaries which were unreliable at best best

Machiavelli’s ProposalMachiavelli’s Proposal

To address the situation Machiavelli To address the situation Machiavelli wrote Arte della guerrawrote Arte della guerra

Otherwise known as The Art of WarOtherwise known as The Art of War The book’s main focus is to answer The book’s main focus is to answer

the question of how to raise an the question of how to raise an effective army capable of serving as effective army capable of serving as a reliable instrument of policya reliable instrument of policy

The Art of WarThe Art of War

Recommended a return to the Greco-Roman Recommended a return to the Greco-Roman military methodsmilitary methods

The foundation of a republic is “justice and The foundation of a republic is “justice and arms”arms”

The “new” laws of warfare will essentially be The “new” laws of warfare will essentially be the “old” laws of the Roman military orderthe “old” laws of the Roman military order

Deduced the laws and principles that stood Deduced the laws and principles that stood behind the facts of Roman military history, behind the facts of Roman military history, and show their applicability to the present and show their applicability to the present dayday

The Art of War The Art of War cont…cont…

The aim of war must be to face the enemy in The aim of war must be to face the enemy in the field and defeat him therethe field and defeat him there

Only way to bring war to a “happy conclusion”Only way to bring war to a “happy conclusion” War is the most essential activity of political War is the most essential activity of political

lifelife War ought to be ended as quickly as possible War ought to be ended as quickly as possible

with the attainment of a definite result: “the with the attainment of a definite result: “the complete defeat of the enemy”complete defeat of the enemy”

Military forces must be composed of the Military forces must be composed of the inhabitants of the land in which they defendinhabitants of the land in which they defend

The Art of War The Art of War cont…cont…

Decision by battle must be the is the Decision by battle must be the is the aim of every military campaign, which aim of every military campaign, which must be planned and coordinatedmust be planned and coordinated

Command must be in the hands of one Command must be in the hands of one manman

Military success depends on order and Military success depends on order and disciplinediscipline

Training is never finished or completedTraining is never finished or completed War must be considered a fulfillment of War must be considered a fulfillment of

a religious dutya religious duty

Impact of MachiavelliImpact of Machiavelli The Art of War ranks as the most famous in The Art of War ranks as the most famous in

a long line of treatises that rediscovered the a long line of treatises that rediscovered the virtues of the Greco-Roman military systemvirtues of the Greco-Roman military system

Twenty-one editions appeared and was Twenty-one editions appeared and was translated into five other languagestranslated into five other languages

His recommendations on training, discipline, His recommendations on training, discipline, and classification greatly increased their and classification greatly increased their importance during the professionalization of importance during the professionalization of soldierssoldiers

Military progress was not influenced by this Military progress was not influenced by this work, but was provided with crucial work, but was provided with crucial explanations and justifications explanations and justifications

Further InformationFurther Information

If you are If you are interested in more interested in more in depth in depth information on information on Machiavelli or his Machiavelli or his book the Art of book the Art of War, visit these War, visit these following websitesfollowing websites

Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli The Art of War The Art of War