The Grand Turk vs. Machiavelli: Understanding Turks in Early Modern Period from Botero's Perspective

Abstract

In his treatise named "Della Ragione di Stato", Giovanni Botero criticized the issue of reason of state, which was attributed to Niccolo Machiavelli. In general, this concept was based on the idea that religion did not have a binding force for the states, and it was associated with the thought that it was more ideal for an emperor to prefer what was advantageous for himself instead of following the eternal verities of God and Christianity. However, Giovanni Botero suggested the idea that the concept of reason of state did truly exist, but he also believed that the concept was merely based on the codes presented by God, and, accordingly, by Christianity contrary to what Machiavelli believed. Giovanni Botero tried to support his thoughts on the ideal nature of a Christian emperor in his treatise by exemplifying the issue based on Turks. Thus, Turks contributed Giovanni Botero's insights on the ideal Christian emperor with their qualifications on state government, taxes, army structure and military government. The depiction of the "Grand Turk" described the ideal Christian emperor and provided the ideality of this figuration. More importantly, "The Prince" was transformed into "The Christian Prince" by Giovanni Botero.