Frederick II and Voltaire’s Antimachiavel and the Problem of Prudence in an Age of Reason
Abstract
How Anti-Machiavellian was Frederick II's Antimachiavel? This paper re-examines the context of the writing of Frederick II of Prussia's Antimachiavel, and its circulation and reception. This complex text, made up of several commentaries and introductions did not necessarily function as a critique of Machiavelli. Indeed, it could be argued that it was one of the most effective vehicles of disseminating The Prince during the eighteenth century.
