Written by
NICHOLAS MACHIAVELLI, Secretary and Citizen of Florence.
[CHAP. I]
How many sorts of Principalities there are, and how many wayes they are attained to.
ll States, all Dominions that have had, or now have rule over men, have been and are, either Republiques or Principalities. Principalities are either hereditary, whereof they of the blood of the Lord thereof have long time been Princes; or else they are new; and those that are new, are either all new, as was the Dutchy of Millan to Francis Sforce; or are as members adjoyned to the hereditary State of the Prince that gains it; as the Kingdom of Naples is to the King of Spain. These Dominions so gotten, are accustomed either to live under a Prince, or to enjoy their liberty; and are made conquest of, either with others forces, or ones own, either by fortune, or by valor.
[CHAP. II]
Of Hereditary Principalities.
