Evaluating Historical Figures in the Context of Specific Background
Taking Columbus and Machiavelli as examples
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/nsvq3613Keywords:
Columbus, Machiavelli, Evaluation of Historical FiguresAbstract
Columbus and Machiavelli are important historical figures in the history of the West and global figures who have had an impact on the world. The former is known for the discovery of the New World. What people say about him is actually what they say about his contributions. While some scholars find that he not only contributed considerably to the entire Old World, but also played a significant role in destroying the New World. Machiavelli has always been criticized as a symbol of using power tactics, and the Machiavellian that derives from him is disliked by people, but there are also those who regard his ideas as classics. This paper will briefly outline their merits and demerits as well as give the author’s own assessment of them in the context of the times in which they lived so that we can evaluate them from a new perspective.
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