The essential writings of Machiavelli by Niccolò Machiavelli; Peter Constantine Read Free Book Online Page A

republic. He claimed that all famous men had been raised in republics, not in principalities, because republics reared skilled men while principalities destroyed them. Republics drew advantage from a man’s skill, while principalities feared it.
    The youths to whom Cola Montano was closest were Giovannandrea Lampognano, Carlo Visconti, and Girolamo Olgiato. He often discussed the duke’s evil nature with them, and the misfortune of those who were under his rule, and his confidence in these young men’s spirit and will grew so strong that he had them swear that once they were old enough, they would free their city from the tyranny of this prince. The young men were enthralled by the desire for freedom, which grew within them as the years passed. This desire was quickened by the duke’s evil deeds and the harm he did the young men and their families, making them all the more resolved to carry out the conspiracy. Duke Galeazzo was profligate and cruel, and the ample evidence he had given of this inspired the hatred of all. Not content with corrupting noble ladies, he also took pleasure in humiliating them in public, nor was he content with murdering men unless he could do so in some cruel fashion. The rumor followed him that he had killed his own mother, for it was said that he did not consider himself a ruler as long as she was alive. He comported himself in such a way that she withdrew to her residence in Cremona, which had been part of her dowry, but on her way there she was seized by a sudden illness and died. Many subsequently claimed that her son had had her killed. Duke Galeazzo had dishonored the women of Carlo’s and Girolamo’s families, and had refused to give Giovannandrea possession of the abbey of Miramondo, as the pontiff had assigned it to one of the duke’s close relatives instead.
    These personal injuries fanned the young men’s desire for vengeance and for delivering their city from so many evils, and they hoped that if they succeeded in killing the duke they would be supported by much of the nobility and the entire populace. Determined to proceed with their plot, they often met together, which, since they were all old friends, did not arouse any suspicion. They discussed the matter in great detail, and to strengthen their spirit for the deed practiced striking each other in the side and the chest with the sheaths of the daggers they were intending to use. They debated the best time and place for the deed: The castle did not seem safe, a hunting expedition was uncertain and dangerous, and the duke’s strolls through the city seemed difficult, offering scant prospect for success, as did assassinating him at a banquet. The young men therefore decided to assassinate the duke at some public ceremony which he would definitely attend, and where they and their supporters could gather without arousing suspicion. They also decided that should one of them be seized or arrested for whatever reason, the others would draw their swords and kill the duke, even if they were surrounded by the duke’s armed guard.
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    The year 1476 was drawing to a close and the Christmas feast was approaching. On Saint Stephen’s Day the duke was accustomed to proceed with great pomp to the church of that martyred saint, and the conspirators decided that this would be the best moment to carry out their design. On the morning of the saint’s day they armed some of their most trusted friends and servants, announcing that they were going to the assistance of Giovannandrea, who wanted to build an aqueduct leading onto his estate against the wishes of some of his neighbors. They led their armed men to the church, alleging that they wished to request permission from the prince before setting out. Under various pretexts they also gathered together other friends and kinsmen at the church, hoping that when the deed was done everyone would follow them in the rest of their enterprise. Their aim, after the duke’s death, was to assemble their