ce was written after he completed three assignments for
             his office in that country; the Report on Germany was prepared as a result
             of a mission to the court of Emperor Maximilian.
             The most important mission, in view of his later development as a political
             writer, was that to the camp of Cesare Borgia, Duke Valentino. Under the
             protection of his father, Pope Alexander VI, Cesare was engaged in
             consolidating the Papal States, and Machiavelli was in attendance upon him
             at the time of his greatest triumph. Machiavelli had served audiences with
             Cesare and witnessed the intrigues culminating in the murder of his
             disaffected captains, which he carefully described in the Method Adopted by
             Duke Valentino to Murder Vitellozzo Vittli. As the "Florentine Secretary,"
             he was present a few month later in Rome when the end of Cesare came to
             with disgrace following the death of Alexander VI.
             During his diplomatic career Machiavelli enjoyed one outstanding success.
             Largely through his efforts, Florence obtained the surrender of Pisa, which
             had revolted from Florentine rule and maintained its independence for
             Although he did not achieve any other diplomatic triumphs, he was esteemed
             for the excellence of his reports and is known to have had the confidence
             the president of Florence, the Gonfalonier, Piero Soderini. But with the
             restoration of the Medicis to power in 1512, Machiavelli's public career
             came to an abrupt end. His attempts to prove his talents to the new rulers
             were ineffectual. His appearance as a former gonfalonier man cast
             significant doubt on his work and he was removed from office and exiled
             the city for one year. He was imprisoned and tortured for allegedly being
             involved in a conspiracy against the new government. His release required
             the intervention of Giovanni de Medici himself, albeit after his ascension
             On release from his dungeon, Machiavelli with his wi...