The young Machiavelli begins his first government job just weeks after Savonarola's burning. Described by Roeder as "open-eyed, close-mouthed . . . his only handicap was the originality of his mind"
Italian city states in this time do not have citizen soliders; warfare carried out by freelance militias (condotta) or mercenaries.
From fiasco of Pisan Wars, Machiavelli concludes that force requires faith (such as Savanarola inspired) to succeed. He sees Savaranola as both astute and a simpleton.
Regarding the impressionable nature of the populace, Caesare Borgia perceives: "in the political arena the glamor of crime, the reputation of mystery, swiftness, and ruthlessness was an immense asset."
Machiavelli sees a force of nature at work in Cesare Borgia's deployment of raw power in securing himself a state in Romagna.
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