You've heard of Machiavelli.
His name has become an adjective — a synonym for manipulation. But like so many historical figures, the Machiavelli of our modern imagination bears little resemblance to the man himself.
Machiavelli is a hinge figure, often called the first modern man. Understanding the real Machiavelli — the fullness of his rich, sometimes tragic, sometimes more-like-a-sex-romp life — is not only fascinating in and of itself. It will help you understand our world today with much greater richness, because Machiavelli was the foundational figure who defined the terms of how we think about governance, politics, rulers, and democracy.
Each episode explores a different perspective on Machiavelli's life — and shows how understanding it helps us understand our own.
