Cesare Borgia's Rise and Fall from Power
Those who acquire power from fortunes have fewer problems in rising but the bigger issue is to stay on top. Cesare Borgia is a good example of a prince who got powers from the favors of his father while he was a pope. He did everything he thought was wise to lay a solid foundation for his leadership. The strategies did not work eventually after the death of his father. Cesare had an army that was not loyal to him despite winning their enemies Colonessi. He felt that the army would betray him and make him fall from power. He realized that his army was not on his side after they attacked Orsini very unwillingly. He weakened his Orsini and the Colonessi enemies by giving their leaders good pay and honoring them with high positions in Rome. The step succeeded because he gained loyalty from the enemies and who eventually supported him. The living conditions of the people had now improved and this was sufficient foundation for him to have fewer enemies when in authority. When he rose to lead Romagna, the people had weak masters who robbed them instead of ruling them. The masters were scattering people instead of uniting them. He realized that the masters would scatter people and hence made him have weak support. Therefore, he gave power to Ramiro who successfully brought people together and made him stronger. Cesare got his power from the favors of his father and laid a strong foundation for his leadership (Niccolo 600).
Agathocles and the Acquisition of Power
Agathocles represents princes who gained power from acts of wickedness and force. He became the leader of the army from his wickedness and the creativity he had. He deceived his friends, kill fellow citizens and leaders had no mercy, religion or faith. His method gained in giving him an empire but not glory. He was not considered among the noble leaders of that time because of his wickedness. Glory in leadership is attained when one acquires the position using the right methods. Agathocles softened his cruelty and wickedness afterward in his position. Agathocles provided better living conditions for his people to avoid rebellion from his supporters who were forced to obey him (Niccolo 550).
Contrasting Methods of Cesare and Agathocles
The methods the two princes used to rise to power are different. Cesare gained his power from the favors while Agathocles rose to power using wicked and cruel acts. Anyone who was trying to oppose his opinion was killed, unlike Cesare who turned his enemies to friends. From the leadership of the two princes, we learn that creativity and support from followers are required for a leader to be successful. Cesare had a strategy of gaining as much support as possible before the death of his father. Unfortunately, the father died before he accomplished his strategies of acquiring as much power as possible. His strategies were not wicked but he had good plans such as making the enemies friends and making the lives of the citizens better in order to gain support. On the contrary, Agathocles forced people to obey and support him during his power acquisition. Such a method like that of Agathocles could create more enemies who can rise against him and bring him down.
Work Cited
Machiavelli, Niccolo. "The prince, and The discourses." (1950).
