This person inspired the portrayal of Scottish politician William Maitland of Lethington in the propagandistic “Dialogue of the Twa Wyfeis (“two wives”).” Innocent Gentillet (“zhon-tee-LAY”) published a tract denouncing this person in the aftermath of the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. In a book on this person’s “moment,” J. G. A. Pocock links him with a contemporary historian who brokered the League of Cognac. This person, who was imprisoned after the Sack of Prato, complained of farm life in letters to Francesco Vettori. Shortly after being elected king, Frederick the Great published a critique of this man edited by Voltaire. This man’s study of the Roman text Ab urbe condita (“ab OOR-bay CON-dee-tuh”) informed his views on republics. For 10 points, the maxim that it is “safer to be feared than loved” originates from what Renaissance-era political theorist? ■END■
ANSWER: Niccolò Machiavelli [or Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli; or Nicolas Machiavel; accept Anti-Machiavel or Discours contre Nicolas Machiavel Florentin] (Francesco Guicciardini wrote a landmark History of Italy and led Papal armies unde Clement VII.)
<European History>
= Average correct buzz position