The Italian Renaissance was the earliest manifestation of the general European Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement that began in Italy during the 14th century and lasted until the 16th century, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe.
Language and Images of Renaissance Italy by 
Renaissance in Italy: the age of the despots by 
The crisis of the early Italian Renaissance by 
Renaissance Italy by 
The Foundations of Early Modern Europe, 1460-1559 by 
The History of Modern Europe by 
The Last Days of the Renaissance by Niccolò Machiavelli, or more formally Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli, was an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist, and writer. He has often been called the founder of modern political science. He was for many years a senior official in the Florentine Republic, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry. His personal correspondence is renowned in the Italian language. He was secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, when the Medici were out of power. He wrote his most renowned work The Prince (Il Principe) in 1513.
Machiavelli and the nature of political thought by 
The Machiavellian Moment by 