Niccolo machiavelli the prince written by legendary author niccolo machiavelli is widely considered to be one of the greatest books of all time this great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers for many niccolo machiavelli the prince is required reading for various courses and curriculums and for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic . Machiavelli referred to his treatise as de principatibus of principalities while writing it and it circulated in manuscript form during the 1510s when it was first published in 1532 five years after machiavelli had died it carried the title il principe the prince. The prince 9 nicolo machiavelli the ruling power so that in respect to these subject states he has not to take any trouble to gain them over to himself for the whole of them quickly rally to the state which he has acquired there he has only to take care that they do not get hold of too much power and too much authority and then with his own forces and with their goodwill he can easily