A Great Military Philosopher of the 16 th Century

Table of Contents Background on Niccolo Machiavelli Background on Niccolo Machiavelli Background on Niccolo Machiavelli Background on Niccolo Machiavelli The Problem with European warfare The Problem with European warfare The Problem with European warfare The Problem with European warfare Machiavelli’s Proposal Machiavelli’s Proposal Machiavelli’s Proposal Machiavelli’s Proposal The Art of War The Art of War The Art of War The Art of War Impact of his book Impact of his book Impact of his book Impact of his book Further Information on Machiavelli Further Information on Machiavelli Further Information on Machiavelli Further Information on Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli Traditionally considered a political philosopher Traditionally considered a political philosopher Mostly known for his books The Prince and Discorsi Mostly known for his books The Prince and Discorsi Gained recognition as a military philosopher after publishing The Art of War Gained recognition as a military philosopher after publishing The Art of War

The Problem European warfare had become drawn out and indecisive European warfare had become drawn out and indecisive New fortifications made traditional siege techniques obsolete New fortifications made traditional siege techniques obsolete There were no professional national armies There were no professional national armies Military force was dependant on mercenaries which were unreliable at best Military force was dependant on mercenaries which were unreliable at best

Machiavelli’s Proposal To address the situation Machiavelli wrote Arte della guerra To address the situation Machiavelli wrote Arte della guerra Otherwise known as The Art of War Otherwise known as The Art of War The book’s main focus is to answer the question of how to raise an effective army capable of serving as a reliable instrument of policy The book’s main focus is to answer the question of how to raise an effective army capable of serving as a reliable instrument of policy

The Art of War Recommended a return to the Greco-Roman military methods Recommended a return to the Greco-Roman military methods The foundation of a republic is “justice and arms” The foundation of a republic is “justice and arms” The “new” laws of warfare will essentially be the “old” laws of the Roman military order The “new” laws of warfare will essentially be the “old” laws of the Roman military order Deduced the laws and principles that stood behind the facts of Roman military history, and show their applicability to the present day Deduced the laws and principles that stood behind the facts of Roman military history, and show their applicability to the present day

The Art of War cont… The aim of war must be to face the enemy in the field and defeat him there The aim of war must be to face the enemy in the 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 life War is the most essential activity of political life War ought to be ended as quickly as possible with the attainment of a definite result: “the complete defeat of the enemy” War ought to be ended as quickly as possible with the attainment of a definite result: “the complete defeat of the enemy” Military forces must be composed of the inhabitants of the land in which they defend Military forces must be composed of the inhabitants of the land in which they defend

The Art of War cont… Decision by battle must be the is the aim of every military campaign, which must be planned and coordinated Decision by battle must be the is the aim of every military campaign, which must be planned and coordinated Command must be in the hands of one man Command must be in the hands of one man Military success depends on order and discipline Military success depends on order and discipline Training is never finished or completed Training is never finished or completed War must be considered a fulfillment of a religious duty War must be considered a fulfillment of a religious duty

Impact of Machiavelli The Art of War ranks as the most famous in a long line of treatises that rediscovered the virtues of the Greco-Roman military system The Art of War ranks as the most famous in a long line of treatises that rediscovered the virtues of the Greco-Roman military system Twenty-one editions appeared and was translated into five other languages Twenty-one editions appeared and was translated into five other languages His recommendations on training, discipline, and classification greatly increased their importance during the professionalization of soldiers His recommendations on training, discipline, and classification greatly increased their importance during the professionalization of soldiers Military progress was not influenced by this work, but was provided with crucial explanations and justifications Military progress was not influenced by this work, but was provided with crucial explanations and justifications

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