Palmer Reveals Machiavelli Witnessed Borgia Massacre While Working as Florence's Diplomat

What was said

"Machiavelli has this incredible firsthand experience of being with Valentino through all of these decisions, being with him at the massacre at Senigallia when rumor had reached Valentino that some of his people were terrified of him and plotting to overthrow him. And then they were so scared of him, they decided to abandon the plot. And he heard, and he met with them and told them, I forgive you, it's okay."

Ada Palmer, historian at the University of Chicago, reveals Machiavelli was physically present at Cesare Borgia's infamous massacre at Senigallia, where Borgia invited conspirators to a banquet under false forgiveness and slaughtered them. Palmer describes how Machiavelli's family had no idea if he survived for months afterward, waiting in fear. This firsthand proximity to extreme political violence directly shaped The Prince.