After that he was sent to jail, and was tortured as a suspected enemy of the Medici. He was innocent but was still viewed as a suspect. After being kicked out of Florence, Niccolò retired in San Casciano (1513). He would never get a position while the Medici were in rule, so he turned to writing. Some of his most famous writings include The Discourses (1520), II Principle (1513),The Art of War and The Life of Castruccio Castracani (1520), and the Istorie Fiorentine (1526).Titus Livius was also another book that made his views public for people to learn. In it he tells about the formation of the principles in Roman government. His writings had a strong impact of the people during that time and are still being read today.
Niccolò is most known for the contribution of his famous writing, The Prince (1513) also called the II Principle. The Prince was a political guidebook that showed numerous kinds of authorities, military affairs, Machiavelli's political views of Italy during the Renaissance, and the necessary traits of a prince. This book also describes his views on the crafty and immoral ways in which some of the rulers during his time obtained power. This work questioned normal politics as accepted during that time. The actual motive behind this writing was to get the Medici to allow him to return to public life. Some historians say that his writings were misunderstood in his lifetime, and that his reputation was darkened by ignorance (http://www.proquest.com). This controversial political work also was not accepted by the people of that time, but even today his works are still studied and debated. Being Machiavelli during that time period was difficult, and if a person agreed with his works, that person was considered a hypocrite. .
Although he was viewed as an evil man, he was really a unique part of the Renaissance movement. All of his writings and beliefs have affected many people.