Machiavelli (1469–1527) was a Florentine statesman and political philosopher. Despite the cynical picture of power in his book The Prince, which was circulated privately but not published until after his death, Machiavelli held republican views and is regarded today as a pioneer of political science. The Prince was dedicated to Lorenzo de’ Medici and was probably written, in part, to suggest the usefulness of its author to Florence’s most powerful family. Machiavelli also wrote poetry, plays, and fiction. Some of his reputation for “machiavellian” intrigue and treachery derives from those other works.