"Ruhtinas" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political treatise written in 1513. This groundbreaking guide for new rulers argues that immoral acts may be necessary to achieve political power and glory. Written in Italian rather than Latin, it uses historical examples to illustrate practical political strategy over abstract ideals. The work directly challenged Catholic and scholastic teachings of its time, making it a controversial cornerstone of modern political philosophy and giving rise to the term "Machiavellian."