Author's+Purpose

//The Prince// serves as a guide on how to become a successful ruler. According to Machiavelli, **"all states, all powers, that have held and hold rule over men have been either republics or principalities" (I,1)**. He also states early on that he will not mention republics, instead he will place a strong focus on principalities. The purpose of //The Prince// is to **"discuss how such principalities are to be ruled and preserved" (II, 1).** Machiavelli achieves his purpose by dicussing the actions that a prince should take in order to remain his rule over his states. For example, a prince must govern his principalties with power and he must always keep human nature in mind. Evidence for this is provided with __allusions to great historical rulers that have either achieved or failed to keep their rule by following or neglecting power and human nature such as:__

__Alexander the Great__ **"CONSIDERING the difficulties which men have had to hold a newly acquired state, some might wonder how, seeing that Alexander the Great became the master of Asia in a few years"(The Prince IV)** Used his power to keep control over aquired states.

__Duke Ferrara__**"We have in Italy, for example, the Duke of Ferrara, who could not have withstood the attacks of the Venetians in '84, nor those of Pope Julius in '10, unless he had been long established in his dominions"(The Prince II).** He had his power and forces together which turned out to be successful in his defeats over the attackers.


 * Are there any other Historical rulers that you know of that have achieved/failed to keep their rule by following/neglecting power?**

dominions- the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.