The Prince - Chapter 1 - How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are, and by What Means They Are Acquired

Oct 19, 2026

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli presents a structured discussion of political power and how principalities are acquired and governed. The dedication frames the work as practical knowledge drawn from long experience and study of antiquity. The opening chapters classify states into republics and principalities, then distinguish hereditary from new principalities, including cases of entirely new territories or annexed “members.” They outline that dominions may be gained through arms, others’ forces, fortune, or personal ability, setting up guidance for ruling and preserving rule.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages85

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Dedication

How many kinds of principalities there are, and by what means they are acquired

Concerning hereditary principalities

Concerning mixed principalities

Why the kingdom of Darius, conquered by Alexander

Concerning the way to govern cities or principalities

Concerning new principalities which are acquired

THE PRINCE by Niccolo Machiavelli Originally Written in 1513 © 2008 Student Handouts, Inc. Toledo, Ohio DEDICATION 2 1 HOW MANY KINDS OF PRINCIPALITIES THERE ARE 3 2 CONCERNING HEREDITARY PRINCIPALITIES 3 3 CONCERNING MIXED PRINCIPALITIES 4 4 WHY THE KINGDOM OF DARIUS, CONQUERED BY ALEXANDER 9 5 CONCERNING THE WAY TO GOVERN CITIES OR PRINCIPALITIES 11 6 CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED 12 7 CONCERNING NEW PRINCIPALITIES WHICH ARE ACQUIRED 15 8 CONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED A PRINCIPALITY 20 9 CONCERNING A CIVIL PRINCIPALITY 23 10 CONCERNING THE WAY IN WHICH THE STRENGTH 25 11 CONCERNING ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPALITIES 27 12 HOW MANY KINDS OF SOLDIERY THERE ARE 29 13 CONCERNING AUXILIARIES, MIXED SOLDIERY 32 14 THAT WHICH CONCERNS A PRINCE ON THE SUBJECT OF WAR 35 15 CONCERNING THINGS FOR WHICH MEN, AND ESPECIALLY PRINCES 37 16 CONCERNING LIBERALITY AND MEANNESS 38 17 CONCERNING CRUELTY AND CLEMENCY 39 18 CONCERNING THE WAY IN WHICH PRINCES SHOULD KEEP 41 19 THAT ONE SHOULD AVOID BEING DESPISED AND HATED 43 20 ARE FORTRESSES, AND MANY OTHER THINGS TO WHICH PRINCES 50 21 HOW A PRINCE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF SO AS TO GAIN RENOWN 53 22 CONCERNING THE SECRETARIES OF PRINCES 56 23 HOW FLATTERERS SHOULD BE AVOIDED 57 24 WHY THE PRINCES OF ITALY HAVE LOST THEIR STATES 58 25 WHAT FORTUNE CAN EFFECT IN HUMAN AFFAIRS 59 26 AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERATE ITALY FROM THE BARBARIANS 61 DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODS ADOPTED BY THE DUKE VALENTINO WHEN MURDERING VITELLOZZO VITELLI, OLIVEROTTO DA FERMO, THE SIGNOR PAGOLO, AND THE DUKE DI GRAVINA ORSINI 64 THE LIFE OF CASTRUCCIO CASTRACANI OF LUCCA 68 The Prince 2 DEDICATION To the Magnificent Lorenzo Di Piero De' Medici: Those who strive to obtain the good graces of a prince are accustomed to come before him with such things as they hold most precious, or in which they see him take most delight; whence one often sees horses , arms, cloth of gold, precious stones, and similar ornaments presented to princes , worthy of their greatness. Desiring therefore to present myself to your Magnificence with some testimony of my devotion towards you, I have not found among my possessions anything which I hold more dear than, or value so much as , the knowledge of the actions of great men , acquired by long experience in contemporary affairs, and a continual study of antiquity; which, having reflected upon it with great and prolonged diligence , I now send, digested into a little volume, to your Magnificence. And although I may consider this work unworthy of your countenance , nevertheless I trust much to your benignity that it may be acceptable, seeing that it is not possible for me to make a better gift than to offer you the opportunity of understanding in the shortest time all that I have learnt in so many years, and with so many troubles and dangers; which work I have not embellished with swelling or magnificent words, nor stuffed with rounded periods, nor with any extrinsic allurements or adornments whatever, with which so many are accustomed to embellish their works; for I have wished either that no honor should be given it, or else that the truth of the matter and the weightiness of the theme shall make it acceptable. Nor do I hold with those who regard it as a presumption if a man of low and humble condition dare to discuss and settle the concerns of princes; because, just as those who draw landscapes place themselves below in the plain to contemplate the nature of the mountains and of lofty places , and in order to contemplate the plains place themselves upon high mountains, even so to understand the nature of the people it needs to be a prince, and to understand that of princes it needs to be of the people. Take then, your Magnificence , this little gift in the spirit in which I send it; wherein, if it be diligently read and considered by you, you will learn my extreme desire that you should attain that gr

FAQs

What classification of states does The Prince begin with?

It distinguishes all states and powers that rule over men as either republics or principalities, then focuses on how principalities are managed.

How does Machiavelli define hereditary principalities?

Hereditary principalities are those where the family has been long established, requiring the prince to avoid breaking the customs of ancestors and to handle circumstances prudently.

How are new principalities acquired according to the opening chapters?

New principalities may be entirely new territories or annexed “members” of the hereditary state, and they are acquired through the prince’s arms or others’ arms, as well as by fortune or by ability.

Oct 19, 2026

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