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him。 Therefore； above everything； the duke ought to have created a
Spaniard Pope； and； failing him； he ought to have consented to Rouen and
not San Pietro ad Vincula。 He who believes that new benefits will cause
great personages to forget old injuries is deceived。 Therefore； the duke
erred in his choice； and it was the cause of his ultimate ruin。
＇*＇ San Giorgio is Raffaello Riario。 Ascanio is Ascanio Sforza。
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CHAPTER VIII
CONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED A
PRINCIPALITY BY WICKEDNESS
Although a prince may rise from a private station in two ways； neither
of which can be entirely attributed to fortune or genius； yet it is manifest
to me that I must not be silent on them； although one could be more
copiously treated when I discuss republics。 These methods are when；
either by some wicked or nefarious ways； one ascends to the principality；
or when by the favour of his fellow…citizens a private person becomes the
prince of his country。 And speaking of the first method； it will be
illustrated by two examplesone ancient； the other modernand without
entering further into the subject； I consider these two examples will suffice
those who may be compelled to follow them。
Agathocles； the Sicilian；＇*＇ became King of Syracuse not only from a
private but from a low and abject position。 This man； the son of a potter；
through all the changes in his fortunes always led an infamous life。
Nevertheless； he accompanied his infamies with so much ability of mind
and body that； having devoted himself to the military profession； he rose
through its ranks to be Praetor of Syracuse。 Being established in that
position； and having deliberately resolved to make himself prince and to
seize by violence； without obligation to others； that which had been
conceded to him by assent； he came to an understanding for this purpose
with Amilcar； the Carthaginian； who； with his army； was fighting in Sicily。
One morning he assembled the people and the senate of Syracuse； as if he
had to discuss with them things relating to the Republic； and at a given
signal the soldiers killed all the senators and the richest of the people；
these dead； he seized and held the princedom of that city without any civil
commotion。 And although he was twice routed by the Carthaginians； and
ultimately besieged； yet not only was he able to defend his city； but
leaving part of his men for its defence； with the others he attacked Africa；
and in a short time raised the siege of Syracuse。 The Carthaginians；
reduced to extreme necessity； were compelled to come to terms with
Agathocles； and； leaving Sicily to him； had to be content with the
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possession of Africa。
＇*＇ Agathocles the Sicilian； born 361 B。C。； died 289 B。C。
Therefore； he who considers the actions and the genius of this man
will see nothing； or little； which can be attributed to fortune； inasmuch as
he attained pre…eminence； as is shown above； not by the favour of any one；
but step by step in the military profession； which steps were gained with a
thousand troubles and perils； and were afterwards boldly held by him with
many hazardous dangers。 Yet it cannot be called talent to slay fellow…
citizens； to deceive friends； to be without faith； without mercy； without
religion； such methods may gain empire； but not glory。 Still； if the courage
of Agathocles in entering into and extricating himself from dangers be
considered； together with his greatness of mind in enduring and
overcoming hardships； it cannot be seen why he should be esteemed less
than the most notable captain。 Nevertheless； his barbarous cruelty and
inhumanity with infinite wickedness do not permit him to be celebrated
among the most excellent men。 What he achieved cannot be attributed
either to fortune or genius。
In our times； during the rule of Alexander the Sixth； Oliverotto da
Fermo； having been left an orphan many years before； was brought up by
his maternal uncle； Giovanni Fogliani； and in the early days of his youth
sent to fight under Pagolo Vitelli； that； being trained under his discipline；
he might attain some high position in the military profession。 After Pagolo
died； he fought under his brother Vitellozzo； and in a very short time；
being endowed with wit and a vigorous body and mind； he became the
first man in his profession。 But it appearing a paltry thing to serve under
others； he resolved； with the aid of some citizens of Fermo； to whom the
slavery of their country was dearer than its liberty； and with the help of the
Vitelleschi； to seize Fermo。 So he wrote to Giovanni Fogliani that； having
been away from home for many years； he wished to visit him and his city；
and in some measure to look upon his patrimony； and although he had not
laboured to acquire anything except honour； yet； in order that the citizens
should see he had not spent his time in vain； he desired to come
honourably； so would be accompanied by one hundred horsemen； his
friends and retainers； and he entreated Giovanni to arrange that he should
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be received honourably by the Fermians； all of which would be not only to
his honour； but also to that of Giovanni himself； who had brought him up。
Giovanni； therefore； did not fail in any attentions due to his nephew；
and he caused him to be honourably received by the Fermians； and he
lodged him in his own house； where； having passed some days； and having
arranged what was necessary for his wicked designs； Oliverotto gave a
solemn banquet to which he invited Giovanni Fogliani and the chiefs of
Fermo。 When the viands and all the other entertainments that are usual in
such banquets were finished； Oliverotto artfully began certain grave
discourses； speaking of the greatness of Pope Alexander and his son
Cesare； and of their en