(September 8th.) Ludovico Ariosto, his Birth
1474.
His Lineage
His early Studies
Latin the universal Language of Writers
The Transmutation and Transfusion of the dead Languages
into modern Tongues
Death of Ariosto's Father
His pecuniary Difficulties in consequence
His filial and paternal Affection
His Brothers Gabriele and Galasso
His Sisters
A Quotation from his second Satire, alluding to his Mother
His Bagatelles
He composes his "Orlando Furioso"
His Answer to Cardinal Bembo, who advises him to write it in
Latin
The Duke of Ferrara threatened with the Thunders of the
Vatican
Ariosto sent as Ambassador to Rome on this Occasion
Julius II. enters into a League with the Venetians
The Papal Forces defeated at Ravenna
The Capture and Dispersion of the Republican Squadron on the
River Po
Ariosto, his gallant Conduct on this Occasion
His second Embassy to Rome
His uncourteous Reception by the Pontiff
Emperor Alfonso, his fruitless Negotiations with the implacable
Julius
And the perfidious Treatment he receives
The singular Manner in which he retaliates
The first Edition of the "Orlando Furioso"
1515.
Succeeding Reprints and Variations of it
The last Edition
1532.
Ariosto refuses to accompany Cardinal Hippolito to his Bishoprick
Their consequent Estrangement
A Story of Hippolito, his natural Brother, and a Lady to whom
they both paid their Addresses; the infamous and unnatural
Conduct of the Cardinal
Independence of Ariosto
Ease, Freedom, and Independence necessary to the Life of a
Poet
Letter of Ariosto to his Brother Alessandro
Ariosto enters the Service of Duke Alfonso
Discomforts and Mortifications of his precarious Circumstances
His Reasons for not taking Orders
Pope Leo X. issues a Bull in favour of the "Orlando Furioso"
What Claims had Ariosto on the Bounty of Leo X.?
Extracts from his Satires
The Dignity and Ease he enjoys at the Court of Alfonso
His Government of Graffagnana
His Rencontre with some of his uncouth Neighbours
Baretti, his Version of this Anecdote
Extract from his Satires
He is invited to accept a third Embassy to Rome
His Answer to Bonaventura Pistolfo
His Release from his Government
He perfects his "Orlando;" his Dramatic Works
A curious Anecdote of him when a Child
Remarks on his Writings
Ariosto, his last Illness
1532.
Apocryphal Traditions of him
His Person
His Character
His Sons
His Elegies, Sonnets, and Madrigals
A Translation of one of his Sonnets
Difficulty of translating his Works
English Versions of his "Orlando Furioso"
His Recitation
Anecdote of him
His whimsical Peculiarities; his Habits
His Reveries
His last Hours
His Monument
Sketch of the Outline of the "Orlando Furioso"
Critical Remarks on it
A Sequel and Imitation of it
Origin of his Family
850.
(February 3d.) His Birth
1469.
His Parentage
Nothing known of his Childhood and Education
Paul Jovius
Machiavelli Secretary under Marcellus Virgil
1494.
Florence agitated by the Prophet Salvanorola
1497.
Marcellus Virgil elected High Chancellor
Machiavelli made Chancellor of the Second Court
1498.
Is Secretary of the Council of Ten
His Missions to various Sovereigns and States
Italy convulsed by foreign Armies and domestic Quarrels
1492.
Ludovico Sforza invites Charles VIII. of France into Italy,
instigating him to assert his Right to the Neapolitan Crown
Entrance of the French into Italy; causes great Commotion in
Florence; the Overthrow and Exile of the Medicean Family
1493.
Italy overrun by Charles
The Italian System of Warfare
Death of Charles VIII.
1498.
Louis XII. succeeds him; his speedy Conquest of Milan
Pisa, under the Rule of Florence, repines at its Servitude; they
implore Charles to restore their Independence
1501.
Pisa besieged by the Florentines
1500.
Machiavelli and Francesco della Caza employed by the Republic
as Envoys to the French Court; curious Style of their Instructions
They fail in their Object, and return to Italy
Machiavelli, his Mission to Cæsar Borgia
Roderigo Borgia chosen Pope; he assumes the Name of
Alexander VI.
His Character
Cæsar Borgia raised to the Rank of Cardinal; his Dislike to the
Church
His Jealousy of his Brother, the Duke of Candia, whom he
causes to be waylaid and murdered
He abdicates the Cardinal's Hat, and obtains the Duchy of
Valence in France
He determines to form the Principality in Italy
His Encroachments supported by an Alliance with Louis XII.
His Attack on Bologna
Revolt of his chief Condottieri
Conspiracy of Magione
Arrival of Machiavelli at Imola
1502.
His Interview with Caesar Borgia
His Opinion of him
Cæsar Borgia, his Method of defending himself
His Policy
Paolo Orsino, his Arrival at Imola
Machiavelli, his Letter to the Signoria of Florence
His Conversation with Cæsar Borgia
His Admiration of Borgia's Talents
Machiavelli solicits to be recalled
Treaty between Caesar Borgia and the Confederates
Letter of Machiavelli on this Subject
Borgia leaves Imola
Machiavelli follows the Court to Cesena
His Letter
He again writes from Cesena
The Confederates sent to Sinigaglia
Arrival of Borgia at Sinigaglia
He causes the Orsini and Vitellozzo to be taken Prisoners
Machiavelli, his Account of this Transaction
His Letter
Treacherous and cruel Revenge of Borgia on the Confederates
(January 8th.) Machiavelli, his Letter to the Republic
His Recal to Florence
1503.
His Description of the Method used by the Valentian Duke in
putting to death Vitellozzo Vitelli
The "Decenal"
An Anecdote of Cæsar Borgia
Narrow Escape of Cæsar Borgia at Rome, it is supposed from
Poison
(August 28th.) Sudden Death of his Father, Pope Alexander
Accession of Pope Pius III.
Fall of the Fortunes of Cæsar Borgia
Machiavelli's Embassy to Rome to influence the Consultations
concerning the future Destination of Cæsar Borgia
Julius II.
Borgia sent to Romagna in the Name of the Holy See
Cardinal Volterra sent after him with a Requisition; Borgia
refuses to comply; he is arrested in consequence, and sent on
board a French Galley
He is brought back to the Vatican; he is liberated
He goes to Naples
He forms new Schemes, is again arrested, and confined in the
Fortress of Medina del Campo
His Escape and Death
1506.
Machiavelli leaves Rome, and goes to France
1504.
Peace between France and Spain
Formation of a native Militia in Florence
1506.
Pope Julius II., his Projects
The Florentines delegate Machiavelli to the Court Militant at
Rome; his Letters
Francesco Vettori treats with the Emperor Maximilian at
Trent
1507.
Machiavelli sent with the Ultimatum of the Florentines to
Trent
1508.
On his Return, writes his "Account of Germany"
Pisa besieged by the Florentines
1509.
Machiavelli sent to assist them
Enmity between Louis XII. and the Pope
Machiavelli, his Mission to Louis; his Letters
1510.
His Audience with the King at Blois
Pietro Soderini elected Doge of Florence
1511.
Louis determines to dethrone him; Florence offers him Pisa
for it
Terrified by the Menaces of the Pope, they send Machiavelli to
recal this Offer
Disastrous War, the Consequence
Diet of Mantua
1512.
Overthrow of the existing Government of Florence
Restoration of the Medici
Machiavelli deprived of his Place
Conspiracy against the Medici
Machiavelli supposed to be implicated; is thrown into Prison
in consequence
He is included in an Amnesty of the new Pope, Leo X.
His Letter to Francesco Vettori; his Liberation
1513.
Letter of Vettori to Machiavelli
His Letter in Reply
Vettori, his Endeavours in behalf of Machiavelli
Machiavelli, his Letter to Vittori
Analysis of his Work, called the "Prince"
Machiavelian Policy
His Essays on the first "Decade of Livy"
His "Art of War"
His "Belfegor"
His Comedies
His Letter to Vettori
1514.
Address of Pope Leo X. to Machiavelli; his Advice
1519.
Machiavelli, his Reply
His "Essay on the Reform of the Government of Florence"
Machiavelli Ambassador to the Minor Friars at Carpi
1521.
Letter of Francesco Guicciardini on his Appointment;
Machiavelli, his Reply
Cardinal Julius commissions him to write the History of
Florence
1524.
Cardinal Julius becomes Pope Clement VII.; he makes
Machiavelli his Historiographer
1526.
Deplorable State of Italy
Constable Bourbon at Milan
Machiavelli sent by the Pope to inspect the Fortifications at
Florence
Arrival of Bourbon at Bologna
1527.
A Truce concluded between Clement VII. and Charles V.
(6th of May.) Sack of Rome
Machiavelli assists the Italians in relieving the Pope, who is
besieged in the Castel Sant' Angelo
He returns to Florence
His Death
His Wife and Children
His Person and Character
Complete Edition of his Works published
1782.
His Descendants