This is a major new English-language edition of one of the central texts in the history of political thought, presenting students with the most accurate and accessible translation yet of Machiavelli’s famous treatise.

本丛书囊括了所有著名的经典原著，但与此同时，它又扩展了传统的评价尺度，以便能够纳入范围广泛、不那么出名的作品。每一本书都有一个评论性的导言，加上历史年表、生平梗概、进一步阅读指南，以及必要的词汇表和原文注解。

Editors note

Introduction

Principal events in Machiavelli’s life

Bibliographical note

Translator’s note

Map:northern and central Italy,1500

Dedicatory letter:Niccolo Machiavelli to His

Magnificence Lorenzo de Medici

ⅠThe different kinds of principality and how they are acquired

Ⅱ Hereditary principalities

Ⅲ Mixed principalities

Ⅳ Why the Kingdom of Darius,conquered by Alexander’s death

Ⅴ How one should govern cities or principalities that,before being conquered,used to live under their own laws

Ⅵ New principalities acquired by one’s own arms and ability

Ⅶ New principalities acquired through the power of others and their favour

Ⅷ Those who become rulers through wicked means

Ⅸ The civil principality

Ⅹ HOw the strength of all principalities should be measured

Ⅺ Ecclesiastical principalities

Ⅻ The different types of army,and mercenary troops

XIII auxiliaries,mixed troops and native troops

XIV How a ruler should act concerning military mnatters

XV The things for which men,and especially rulers,are praised or blamed

XVI Generosity and meanness

XVII Cruelty and mercitulness;and whether it is better to be lovedor feared

XVIII How rulers should keep their promises

XIX How contempt and hatued should be avoided

XX whether building fortresses,and many other things that rulers frequently do,are useful or not

XXI How a ruler should act in order to gain reputation

XXII the secretaries of rulers

XXIII How flatterers should be shunned

XXV How much power fortune has over human affairs,and how it hsould be resisted

XXVI Exhortation to liberate Italy from the barbarian yoke

Appendix A Letters relevant to The Prince

Appendix B Notes on the vocabulary of The Prince

Biographical notes

Index of subjects

Idex of propernames