Machiavelli the Historian - Detailseite

Today Machiavelli is esteemed as a political philosopher and, in some circles, still reviled as a teacher of evil. In his own lifetime, however, he was best known as a public official, a dramatist, and an historian. It is this latter role we will explore in this Übung. The main focus will be on Machiavelli’s Florentine Histories, but we will also consider his historical thought as reflected in The Prince and The Discourses on Livy. In addition, we’ll place Machiavelli’s work in the context of Florentine historiography, comparing it to the earlier chronicle tradition of the Villani family as well as to the pioneering work of his contemporary, Francesco Guicciardini. Ultimately, students should leave the course with a better understanding of Machiavelli as a thinker, of premodern historiography, and of the world of late medieval Florence.

The language of instruction for the course is English. Knowledge of Italian and Latin would be helpful but is not necessary. All students will be required to deliver a presentation.

Ausgleichsberechtigte Studierende wenden sich zur bevorzugten Platzvergabe per E-Mail mit einem Nachweis der Ausgleichsberechtigung an die Studienkoordinationsstelle Geschichte. Ausschlussfrist für die Geltendmachung von Ausgleichsberechtigungen ist der letzte Tag der zentralen Frist, 16 Uhr. Textnachrichten in AGNES werden hingegen nicht gelesen!