Chapter 7: Acquiring New Territories with Luck and External Support

💡A prince should strive to acquire new territories through their own abilities, but if that's not possible, luck and external support can be beneficial.

🗡️Caesar Borgia, also known as Duke Valentino, gained power with the help of his father, Pope Alexander VI.

💪Caesar Borgia had to put in great efforts to maintain the territories he acquired, using deception, bribery, and elimination of opponents.

🔪Machiavelli highlights Caesar's appointment and later assassination of Ramiro D'Orco, a cruel minister, to solidify his hold on the Romagna region.

🌟Despite his effectiveness, Caesar's rule was ultimately undone after his father's death and the election of a new hostile Pope.

How can a prince acquire new territories?

—A prince can acquire new territories through their own abilities or with the help of luck and external support.

Who is Caesar Borgia?

—Caesar Borgia, also known as Duke Valentino, gained power with the support of his father, Pope Alexander VI.

How did Caesar Borgia maintain his rule?

—Caesar Borgia maintained his rule by deceiving, bribing, and eliminating his opponents, as highlighted by his appointment and later assassination of Ramiro D'Orco.

What led to Caesar's downfall?

—Caesar's downfall came after his father's death and the election of a new Pope who was hostile towards him.

What can we learn from Caesar's example?

—Caesar's example showcases the importance of using various strategies, including deception and elimination of opponents, to maintain power.

00:01Chapter 7 of The Prince focuses on acquiring new territories with luck and external support.

00:09Caesar Borgia, also known as Duke Valentino, is used as an example to illustrate these principles.

00:37Caesar's appointment and subsequent assassination of Ramiro D'Orco is highlighted as a strategy to solidify his rule in the Romagna region.

01:13After his father's death, Caesar's rule faced challenges from a new Pope who was hostile towards him.

01:31Machiavelli praises Caesar's effectiveness in overcoming obstacles to stability and prosperity in his rule.