Macrinus Marcus Opellius Severus (circa 164–218) spent all of his brief reign on military campaigns in Asia. He was executed by his opponents.
Marcus Marcus Aurelius (161–180), called "the Philosopher;" one of the most respected of the Roman emperors.
Maximilian Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519), ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. Father Luca Raimondi was one of his advisors. Machiavelli had an opportunity to observe Maximillian when Machiavelli visited Maximillian's court on a diplomatic mission from 1507 to 1508.
Maximinus (died 238) named emperor by the army after Alexander Severus was killed. Subsequently killed by his own troops.
Milan/Sforza Francesco Sforza (1401–1466) became Duke of Milan in 1450. (See the List of Characters.)
Moors Islamic residents of Spain, the Moors had invaded from north Africa in the early eighth century and controlled large portions of Spain until Ferdinand drove them out during the Reconquest, completed by 1500. Ferdinand expelled the Jews at the same time, in his desire to make Spain a pure Christian nation. Machiavelli implies that this was a purely political maneuver done under a religious pretext.
Moses prophet and lawgiver who led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, as recounted in the Biblical book of Exodus.
Moses, Cyrus, Theseus the great leaders Machiavelli cited in Chapter 6, whom he presents here as liberators of oppressed peoples.
Nabis ruler of Sparta (circa 207–192 B.C.). Machiavelli is probably exaggerating Nabis' success, but Nabis did introduce many social reforms.
Naples/King of Spain Ferdinand (1452–1516) had originally agreed to divide the Italian kingdom of Naples with Louis XII of France, but Ferdinand drove out the French forces and took over Naples in 1503.
Niccolò Vitelli (1414–1486) mercenary leader, father of Paolo and Vitellozo Vitelli. He became leader of Città de Castello and destroyed several fortresses built there by his opponent, Pope Sixtus IV.
Oliverotto da Fermo (circa 1475–1503). Machiavelli accurately describes how he seized power. Soon after, he joined a conspiracy of Cesare Borgia's captains to try to limit Borgia's growing power. This group included Vitellozzo Vitelli, the brother of Oliverotto's mentor, Paolo Vitelli. Pretending to be reconciled with them, Borgia lured the conspirators to a meeting at Senigallia, where he had them killed.
Orsini and Colonna rival families of the Roman aristocracy, both enormously powerful in Italian politics. The Orsini family, in particular, was a bitter opponent of the Borgias, and Cesare Borgia ordered at least three of the leading Orsini family members to be killed.
