Machiavelli of Florence – Strategy and Guide

Intro

Niccolò Machiavelli, famed Florentine diplomat, writer, and philosopher, brings a uniquely cunning twist to Civilization VII. His name has become a byword for shrewd—and sometimes ruthless—political maneuvering. In The Prince, he posits that a ruler should do whatever it takes to acquire and maintain power, even if it means bending (or outright breaking) moral conventions. This approach earned him the ire of many in his lifetime, yet his ideas endure. In Civ VII, Machiavelli channels all that intellectual boldness into a Diplomatic and Economic force, challenging you to balance alliances, subterfuge, and, if need be, a well-timed war.

Strategy

Playing as Machiavelli is all about seizing opportunities and juggling relationships with careful pragmatism. He starts as a Diplomatic and Economic powerhouse but can swiftly pivot into a more confrontational role. Below are some ideas on how to get the most out of his intricate abilities:

• Diplomatic Maneuvering: Thanks to Machiavelli’s extra Influence per Age from his unique ability, you’ll be proposing (and manipulating) Diplomatic Actions more often. Make those proposals beneficial to you no matter the outcome, since you can rake in Gold both on acceptance and, even more so, on rejection.
• City-State Levies: One of Machiavelli’s key perks is his ability to levy Military Units from City-States, even when you’re not their Suzerain. This can offer quick boosts to your army at critical moments—perfect for surprise offensives or bolstering a narrow defensive front.
• Strategic Friendships and Wars: Machiavelli doesn’t need as high a Relationship threshold to declare Formal Wars, so you can keep potential rivals close while preparing to strike on your terms. Just be mindful of when you choose to shift from diplomatic alliances to open conflict.
• Gold Generation: Because Machiavelli earns a set amount of Gold each Age based on how his Diplomatic proposals fare, it’s wise to build up a robust economic infrastructure—Commercial Hubs, Harbors, and trade routes—so that additional Gold from his abilities amplifies your empire’s overall financial might.

In a nutshell, you’ll want to play Machiavelli with a flexible mindset. Be friendly enough to sign advantageous deals, but don’t hesitate to upend those alliances if the cost-benefit analysis tips in favor of a more nefarious path. It’s Machiavelli, after all—he wouldn’t have it any other way!

Lines

Machiavelli’s voice lines add that classic air of sly wit. He speaks modern Italian in Civ VII, capturing the spirit of his Renaissance background. Here are a few of his noteworthy quotes:

• Greeting: “Niccolò Machiavelli, at your service. How might you be of service to me? I mean… how might I be of service to you?”
• Attacked: “Hahahaha! You think me a fox; I am also a lion.”
• Declares War: “To be caught unarmed is the worst fault.”
• Rejects Player’s Deal: “There is no profit in it.”
• Defeat: “A struggle. A fall. I am no prince, but only a writer. I return to my writing desk in obscurity.”

Civilopedia Entry

Machiavelli was a product of a tumultuous era, a time when Italian city-states like Florence jostled for supremacy against one another and external powers. He served in various diplomatic and administrative roles, climbing the ranks of the Florentine Republic and even leading a small militia force.

However, his fortunes changed dramatically when the Medici returned to power. He was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually exiled. During this period, he penned The Prince, a treatise that coldly assessed the mechanics of political authority. Rather than dwelling on moral ideals, he fixated on real-world outcomes: a prince might want to be loved, but must be prepared to be feared if love proves unattainable.

Although he has a reputation for advocating deception and ruthless control, many scholars argue that The Prince was as much a satire—or a jab at the Medici who had wronged him—as it was a genuine call to arms for tyrannical power. Whatever the case, Machiavelli’s writings laid groundwork for what we now call political science. In Civilization VII, he translates this legacy into diplomatic finesse, opportunistic alliances, and a willingness to wage war when it serves his grander designs.

Unique Ability: Il Principe

Machiavelli’s leader ability is named after his most famous work, The Prince (Il Principe in Italian). It grants him:

• Additional Influence per Age – Helping you manipulate the world stage more frequently.
• Gold per Accepted or Rejected Proposal – Earn a set amount of Gold each Age when your Diplomatic Action proposals are accepted, and even more when they are rejected.
• Ignore Relationship Requirements for Formal Wars – Launch wars without climbing the usual diplomatic ladder, perfect for timely, decisive strikes.
• City-State Levies – You can levy City-State troops without needing to be their Suzerain. This provides quick military reinforcements at pivotal moments.

Use Il Principe to pivot quickly between trading and warring, capitalizing on your diplomatic presence and a steady trickle of bonus Gold.

Agendas

Machiavelli’s principal agenda is The Spider, a nod to his reputation for weaving intricate plots. If you’re not at war with him, he’ll appreciate your involvement in external conflicts, granting a moderate Relationship boost for each war you wage elsewhere. It’s an agenda that encourages you to keep things chaotic on the global stage—but be careful not to become too successful in your own conquests, or Machiavelli might see you as a threat.

Trivia

• The leader ability title Il Principe is the original Italian name for The Prince, Machiavelli’s most well-known treatise on power and statecraft.
• His wry war declaration line—“You think me a fox; I am also a lion”—is a playful nod to his advice that a ruler should combine the cunning of a fox with the strength of a lion.
• Historically, Machiavelli’s imprisonment and subsequent exile by the Medici family likely colored his cynical tone in The Prince.

TL;DR

Machiavelli in Civ VII is a dynamic Diplomatic/Economic leader who uses extra Influence, bonus Gold from diplomatic proposals, flexible war declarations, and city-state levy options to seize the advantage. Manage your alliances shrewdly, don’t fear an opportunistic war, and watch as your coffers fill from both friend and foe. Your success will hinge on how cleverly you pivot between appeasing rival factions and striking at just the right moment.