Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat for fourteen years in Florence's republican government. After being dismissed from his post, he wrote "The Prince", a treatise on realpolitik. He also wrote "Discourses on Livy", a work on republicanism. Machiavelli was born into a family of minor nobility in Florence in 1469. He was taught grammar, rhetoric, and Latin. He went on to study philosophy and literature under the guidance of Giovanni Conversini da Ravenna. In 1494, he became a diplomat for the Republic of Florence. He served as an ambassador to Rome and to France, and also took part in numerous military campaigns. In 1512, he was dismissed from his post after the Medici family regained power in Florence. He then retired to his estate in San Casciano and devoted himself to writing. His most famous work is "The Prince", a treatise on realpolitik which was published posthumously in 1532. In "The Prince", Machiavelli advises rulers to be more concerned with achieving results than with adhering to moral principles. He also advocates the use of deceit and force if necessary to achieve one's aims. "The Prince" was widely condemned by contemporaries for its amoral perspective. However, it has also been praised for its insight into the nature of power and politics.