Niccolo Machiavelli
Machiavelli, Niccolo

21 January, 1503
Castiglione Aretino

LETTER LII.

Magnificent Signori: —

Yesterday I left the ambassador Jacopo Salviati to return to Florence, for the reasons which your Lordships will learn from the ambassador’s letter herewith enclosed. Before my departure it was said at court that an arrangement had been concluded between the Duke and the Siennese. Having been obliged by the state of the river Chiana to return to Castello della Pieve for the night, I found here Don Hugo, one of the Duke’s Spanish captains, who is here with his troops. He had received a letter this evening ordering him to break up in the morning and march towards Orvieto, as the Duke was also

going to take that direction with all his forces. And as I was about mounting my horse this morning, the said Don Hugo and his troops were also just about to start;“On the 23d of January it was said that within the past few days the Duke had taken the cities of Chiusi and Pienza; also Sarteano, Castel della Pieve, and San Quirico, where he found only two old men and nine old women. These were hung up by their arms with fire under their feet, so as to force them to confess where the treasure was concealed. These people, either unwilling to confess, or really not knowing where the money could be found, all died under this torture. The Duke’s troops also sacked Acquapendente, Monteflascone, and other places.” — Memoirs of Burchard.^* and he told me that the treaty with Sienna was really concluded, and that Pandolfo was to have left Sienna with a safe-conduct from the Duke;† but further particulars I did not get. Having brought this news here with me, I thought it well to anticipate my return and to send it to you by an express. For further details I must refer you to what the ambassador will write you; but knowing that his letter will reach you with difficulty, I would not miss giving your Lordships this brief notice, and recommend myself most humbly.

Niccolo Machiavelli.
1503-01-21.

I have promised the bearer of this three lire.