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Monteriggioni

2012-04-06T19:36:26Z

199.245.156.254: /* Ezio Auditore */

{{Era|AC2|Brotherhood|PL|Renaissance|bbook|FC|Good}}
{{WP-REAL|Monteriggioni}}
{{WPlocations}}
{{quote|This place just keeps getting better.|Ezio to Mario while returning to the city in January 1500.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
{{Location infobox
|name = Monteriggioni
|image = Monteriggioni from the Villa Rooftop.jpg
|imgdesc =
|hidep = No
|state =
|rulers = [[House of Auditore]]
|factions = [[Assassins]] [[Mercenaries]] [[Thieves]] [[Courtesans]]
|hideh = No
|founded =
|date = 1213
|abandoned = 2 January 1500, later retaken between 1507 and 1554
|hidea = No
|landmark = [[Villa Auditore]] [[Auditore Family Crypt]]
|flags =
|targets = }}
'''Monteriggioni''' was a town and commune of [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]]. Built during the 13th century by the overlords of [[Siena]], Monteriggioni was actively involved in the defense of Tuscany against [[Florence|Florentine]] attempts to gain more territory.

At the front of this conflict was the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], who later became the town's rulers and protectors. They constructed Monteriggioni's famous walls, and the largest structure within them, the [[Villa Auditore]].

Monteriggioni was also the headquarters of the Italian Assassins from the early 14th century, when [[Domenico Auditore]] renovated the villa, to the year 1500, when the town was [[Fall of Monteriggioni|besieged]] by [[Cesare Borgia]].

==History==
===Domenico Auditore===
In 1290, the Villa Auditore was constructed, though the identity of whoever built it was unknown. 30 years later, in 1320, the exterior of the villa was subsequently damaged in a Florentine attack.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

Some time after the death of [[Dante Alighieri]] in 1321, [[Domenico Auditore]] bought and renovated the villa - changing the exterior, and adding a painting gallery - using funds he had gained from [[Marco Polo]]. Domenico and his son used Monteriggioni as a base of operations in their silent war against the [[Templars]].<ref name="AC2"/>

In 1296, what would become the [[Auditore Family Crypt]] was built in the town. After buying the villa, Domenico hid the [[Armor of Altaïr|armor]] of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] in the [[Sanctuary]] under the villa, which could only be unlocked by [[Assassin's Seal|Assassin seals]] that were scattered around Italy, hidden in sarcophagi of famous historical [[Assassins]].<ref name="AC2"/>

===Mario Auditore===
{{quote|Monteriggioni has long stood against her attackers by tucking in and outlasting. The Fiorentini may strike at any time, but they will find us prepared!|[[Mario Auditore]], regarding the defense of Monteriggioni.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
[[File:PL Memory DefensiveMeasures.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The walls of Monteriggioni.]]
At some point in the early-mid 14th century, [[the Shroud]] was brought to Monteriggioni by the Assassins. They falsified Church records to claim the artifact was merely a forgery, before hollowing out the well of the town and leaving the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] in a lair of elaborate traps.<ref name="Project Legacy - Mario Auditore">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' - [[Chapter 3 - Mario Auditore]]</ref>

In 1454, [[Mario Auditore]] was made sole ruler of Monteriggioni when his brother [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] moved to [[Florence]]. The town came under frequent attack by Florence during this time, leading Mario to strengthen the town's economy and defenses in order to better withstand Florentine pressure.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="Project Legacy - Mario Auditore"/>

Soon after, Mario discovered that a man named [[Luciano Pezzati]] was causing strife within the town by turning families against each other. After he was captured and interrogated, Luciano revealed that Florence was planning a [[Defense of Monteriggioni|large attack]] on Monteriggioni. Rallying his forces, Mario successfully repelled the Florentine forces led by [[Federico da Montefeltro]].<ref name="Project Legacy - Mario Auditore"/>

[[File:Running The Ramparts.jpg|thumb|250px|The defense of Monteriggioni.]]
After defending the town, Mario continued to interrogate Luciano, only to discover that the purpose of the Florentine attack was to acquire an ancient artifact hidden underneath the town. With the help of several architects and historians, Mario eventually discovered the Shroud in the hollowed-out well of the town, and had it removed from Monteriggioni by Giovanni.<ref name="Project Legacy - Mario Auditore"/>

Over the next twenty years, Monteriggioni gradually fell into disrepair as Mario devoted more of his time to war and the Brotherhood. By 1476, most of the town's shops had closed, the number of visitors to Monteriggioni had decreased and the upkeep of the Villa Auditore had been neglected.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Ezio Auditore DA Firenze===
On New Year's Eve 1476, Mario's nephew, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], took shelter in Monteriggioni, and later became the town's biggest investor, and co-ruler with Mario. For over 23 years, Monteriggioni prospered as Ezio used the funds gathered during his adventures to reopen the town's shops, barracks, brothel and thieves' guild.<ref name="AC2"/>

Significant improvements were also made to the town's infrastructure, and the Villa Auditore was renovated. By December 1499, Monteriggioni had become a vital headquarters of the Assassins, whose flag flew over the town. Around this time, cannons were added to the town's defenses by Mario.<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

[[File:Vilified_3_v.png|thumb|250px|left|Monteriggioni under siege.]]
On January 2nd 1500, [[Cesare Borgia]] - Captain-General of the Papal Army - led a [[Fall of Monteriggioni|siege on Monteriggioni]] in order to recover the [[Ezio's Apple|Apple of Eden]] that had been taken by Ezio from the [[Templars]]. Though the Assassins were able to temporarily hold off the attack while the citizens were evacuated, the town eventually fell; resulting in Mario being killed, and the buildings of Monteriggioni suffering significant damage.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

The Assassins abandoned the town, relocating their headquarters to [[Rome]]. However, at some later point afterwards, an elderly Ezio returned to Monteriggioni, entering the Sanctuary underneath the Villa Auditore for unknown reasons.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

Prior to 1554, the Auditore family regained control of Monteriggioni, though the town was betrayed in 1554 by Giovannino Zeti, the keeper of the garrison and a Florentine exile, who was allowed to return to Florence in exchange for the keys to the city. Though the town was soon attacked and conquered by the [[House of Medici|Medici]] of Florence, they were allowed to continue their leadership over Monteriggioni, due to the Auditore's good relations with the Medici.<ref name="AC2"/><ref name="Brotherhood"/>

===Modern Monteriggioni===
{{dialogue|Desmond|I figured you'd like it nowadays. Seems not to have changed much.|Shaun|Exactly. History is the study of change. Change is life. When things become static, it means they're dead.|Desmond and Shaun discussing modern Monteriggioni.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
[[File:Zw-acb-Monteriggioni_future.jpg|thumb|250px|Modern-day Monteriggioni.]]
By the [[Modern times|21st century]], the town remained largely unchanged from its Renaissance appearance, and had become a tourist attraction, with a plaque in front of the ruined Villa Auditore commemorating the siege of the town by the [[House of Borgia|Borgia]].<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

On the 9th of September 2012, a small team of modern-day Assassins, composed of [[Desmond Miles]], [[Lucy Stillman]], [[Shaun Hastings]] and [[Rebecca Crane]], arrived in the town of Monteriggioni to seek refuge from the Templars of [[Abstergo Industries]]. They set up a temporary hideout in the Sanctuary beneath the Villa Auditore, where the cell signals that Abstergo was using to locate them could not reach.<ref name="Brotherhood"/>

The group remained there for the next month as Desmond used the [[Animus]] to determine the location of Ezio's Apple of Eden, venturing above ground only at night or when supplies were needed. Also, while Desmond explored Monteriggioni at night, during his breaks from the Animus, he managed to recover [[Artifacts|some of his ancestors' possessions]]. After discovering the Apple's location, and the [[72|password]] to the door of the [[Colosseum Vault]], the team left the town for Rome on October 10th 2012, 72 days from the launch of Abstergo's satellite.

Abstergo also used Monteriggioni as a virtual training field for their recruits during the early 21st century. <ref name="Brotherhood"/>

==Renovations==
Upon his arrival in Monteriggioni, Ezio was able to invest in the renovation of various buildings throughout the town, with the help of an [[Architects|architect]] hired by Mario. As the town was renovated, the appearance of the Villa also improved, and flags (marked first with Auditore crest, then with the [[Assassin insignia]]) were also added to buildings.<ref name="AC2"/>

===Active Buildings===
{|border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="100%" style="text-align:center;"
!width="25%"|Name
!width="25%"|First Renovation
!width="25%"|Second Renovation
!width="25%"|Third Renovation
|-
|Bank
|1,500''f''
|5,000''f''
|9,000''f''
|-
|[[Doctors|Doctor]]
|3,000''f''
|5,000''f''
|N/A
|-
|[[Tailors|Tailor]]
|1,000''f''
|2,500''f''
|5,000''f''
|-
|[[Blacksmiths|Blacksmith]]
|5,000''f''
|7,000''f''
|12,000''f''
|-
|[[Art Merchants|Art Merchant]]
|1,000''f''
|5,000''f''
|8,000''f''
|}

===Restored Buildings===
{|border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="70%" style="text-align:center;"
!width="50%"|Name
!width="50%"|Cost
|-
|Church
|4,000''f''
|-
|Well
|4,000''f''
|-
|[[Thieves]]' Guild
|3,000''f''
|-
|[[Brothels|Brothel]]
|3,000''f''
|-
|Military Barracks
|3,000''f''
|-
|Mine
|4,000''f''
|}

==Achievement==
The [[Assassin's Creed II Achievements|achievement]], "Podestà of Monteriggioni" can be gained by reaching 80% of the Villa total value.

{|border="1" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:center"
!width="64"|Icon
!width="300"|Name
!width="200"|How to obtain
!width="64"|Points
!width="64"|Trophy
|-
|[[File:PodestàOfMonteriggioni-ACII-trophy.PNG|64px]]
!Podestà of Monteriggioni
|Reach 80% of your stronghold's total value.
|30[[File:G.png]]
|Bronze
|}

==Trivia==
'''''Assassin's Creed II'''''
*Throughout the town, Ezio can find [[Monteriggioni Statuettes|eight statuettes]] of some of the gods worshipped in ancient [[Rome]]. Each pair of statuettes belong to a pedestal, and each completed pedestal rewards Ezio with 2,000 florins.
*After restoring the Mine, Well, and the Church, hidden [[treasure chests]] can be found within each structure. The towers on the walls of Monteriggioni also contain treasure, but these chests only appear after the Mercenary Barracks, Brothel and Thieves' Guild are renovated.
*The tunnel and traps that Mario Auditore crosses to reach the Shroud in 1454 are absent, although they were probably removed by the Brotherhood before Ezio's arrival in Monteriggioni.
*However much you spend on renovations, you will be paid back 10% of the investment per 20 minutes.
*Furthermore, any renovations on the four "active" shops will allow the player to receive discounts of up to 15% (with three renovations) on all the items' original prices.
*The [[Auditore Family Crypt]] can be unlocked in [[Uplay]]. The crypt reveals more about the Auditore family and its humble origins.
*Monteriggioni had a total of 3500 residents maximum after its renovation reaches 100% completion.

'''''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'''''
*The town is host to a [[Multiplayer/ACBH#Locations|multiplayer map]].
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', the entrance to the Auditore Crypt is missing in Sequence 1. However, it appears again in modern-day Monteriggioni, outside the Animus.
*When Ezio returns to Monteriggioni after the [[Confrontation in the Vatican]], all of the shops are unavailable for purchasing equipment from.
*As of 1500, there were at least 500 residents of Monteriggioni, which can be seen in the beginning of ''Brotherhood'' when Ezio must try and help the residents escape.
*The player is allowed to exit the Animus at any time to explore Monteriggioni, though only for ten minutes. The first time before doing so, Desmond must equip a watch and wireless earpiece, in order to remain in contact with Lucy, Rebecca and Shaun.
*In modern-day Monteriggioni, a strange red trail is visible when [[Eagle Vision]] is activated. The trail leads from the back entrance of the Villa Auditore to the beginning of the steps in front of the fountain bearing the Assassin insignia. After the completion of Sequence 6, the trail is no longer visible.
**[[Darby McDevitt]] and [[Falko Poiker]] explained that the trail was intended to help gamers find their way back to the Sanctuary, though its red color was an oversight.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QoEt3F-RYg Darby McDevitt/Fabio Poiker interview - part 1]</ref>
*In 2012, the Art Merchant's shop is an information booth, while the Tailor's shop is a beverage stall.
*In the English version of ''Brotherhood'', the plaque in front of the villa correctly says that the town was attacked by the forces of [[Pope Alexander VI]], however, the Italian translation reads "Pope Alexander IV", reversing the "V" and "I".
**Also, the pope mentions later on in the game that the attack on Monteriggioni was entirely Cesare's idea, while the plaque says that the town was besieged by the pope's military campaign in Tuscany.
*During Sequence 1, Ezio can go behind the Villa and enter Mario's study. The [[Codex Wall]] is present, but unlike ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the [[Codex]] will not glow in [[Eagle Vision]].
*The statues are not present, neither in their original places nor on the pedestals.
*Monterrigionni sets the standards for the characteristics of an [[Assassins]] hideout, namely,
*#No harrassers, threats or guards.
*#Every service is available in the general area,
*#And a means of swift transportation is nearby.
*It's unknown how the modern assassins were able to operate out of the Villa Auditore, as it was a historical landmark, and with all the wires coming out of the villa, one would think that they'd be caught.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery captionalign="left" widths="180">
Images.jpeg|Map of Monteriggioni.
z_3a8cc374.jpg|Multiplayer map of Monteriggioni.
Zw-model-of-city.png|An architect's model of Monteriggioni.
Siege-of-Monteriggioni.jpg|Concept art of the fall of Monteriggioni.
Modern Monteriggioni Concept.JPG|Concept art of modern-day Monteriggioni by [[Gilles Beloeil]].
Images-3.jpeg|Ezio overlooking Monteriggioni.
Rosa HQ.jpg|The courtesan guild in Monteriggioni.
AssassinsCreedBrotherhoodE32010SinglePlayerGameplayMovie.jpg|The fall of Monteriggioni.
Monteriggioni_outlands.jpg|The countryside just outside Monteriggioni.
Monteriggioni_Gateway.jpg|Entrance to Monteriggioni.
Monteriggioni_Streets.jpg|The streets of Monteriggioni.
Monteriggioni at Night.jpg|Monteriggioni at night.
Monteriggioni Streets Aerial View.jpg|Panoramic aerial view of the Monteriggioni streets.
Monteriggioni Fields.jpg|Panoramic view of the Monteriggioni outlands.
</gallery></center>

{{wide image|Villa Audito.jpg|1000px|Monteriggioni with the Villa at the center.}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBH}}
{{ACFC}}

[[es:Monteggrioni]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Cities of Europe]]
[[Category:Tuscany]]
[[Category:Monteriggioni]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Multiplayer Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy Locations]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed (French Comic) Locations]]

Niccolò Machiavelli

2010-09-15T15:11:06Z

199.245.156.254: /* Description */

{{WP-REAL}}
{{Era|AC2|Assassins|Ren}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli
|image = Zw-niccolomachiavelli.png
|imgdesc = Niccolò Machiavelli in the Animus database.
|birth = 3 May 1469 [[Florence]], [[Italy]]
|death = 21 June 1527 (aged 58) Florence, Italy
|period = [[Renaissance]] (15th century)
|faction = [[Assassins]] [[Mercenaries]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
|voice = [[Shawn Baichoo]]
}}
{{Quote|I am an Assassin. Trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each one of us here.|Machiavelli to Ezio upon their first meeting|Assassin's Creed II}}
'''Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli''' (3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527) was an Italian philosopher, writer, and is considered one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, musician, and playwright, but foremost he was a civil servant of the Florentine Republic.

==Description==

Niccolò was in secret a member of the Assassin's Order, and the leader of the Florentine [[Mercenaries]][1]. This was perhaps why he was such a secretive person, to not reveal too much about himself. Niccolò and the other Assassins were to attack [[Rodrigo Borgia]], who was at that point in possession of the Apple of Eden. Unbeknown to them, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] also knew about Rodrigo having the Apple and had already attacked him. The other Assassins went to help him fend off Rodrigo's guards. Eventually, Rodrigo ran away, leaving the Apple behind. Niccolò revealed himself along with the other Assassins, who had helped Ezio assassinate the Templars before.

At the age of 27, Niccolò was present at Ezio's initiation into the Assassin Brotherhood, performing a [[Leap of Faith]] along with the other Assassins in 1488.

Eventually, Niccolò helped Ezio defend [[Caterina Sforza]] and the city of [[Forlì]]. He also aided him during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]], in which [[Girolamo Savonarola]] acquired the Apple of Eden.

In 1500, Niccolò, at the age of 31, accompanied Ezio to Rome. They renovated [[Tiber Island]] and turned it into the headquarters of the Assassins. While Ezio went out undermining the Borgia's rule over Rome, Niccolò stayed on the island, training new Assassin recruits sent by Ezio. Machiavelli also set up means of communication between Ezio and the guild via pigeon coops.

==Trivia==
*In real life, Machiavelli witnessed the execution of [[Girolamo Savonarola]], and wrote about it the night of the event. The location, or even the name of these writings are unknown today.
*The debate over Machiavelli's true intentions are often distorted due to the fact that many people concentrate on "Il Principe" (The Prince), which was one relatively short book, written in a few months. The Prince was written for a specific reason during a specific time in Italian history (a period when the Medici family had the opportunity to build a strong Italian state in central Italy and drive out the 'barbarians').
**Machiavelli also wrote a thesis called the "Discourses on Livy". This thesis (which was written over a significant period of his life) reflected Machiavelli's more republican notions of government, and is a far more comprehensive thesis than the Prince. Together the Discourses and the Prince show us that, in real life, he was an individual who preferred a republican government, but was prepared to accept a principality if it ensured the survival of the state.
*The facts that the fictional Machiavelli was the leader of Florence's [[Mercenaries]] doesn't match with his real-life counterpart. In real life, Machiavelli was against the use of Mercenaries, because he believed they were unreliable. However it is possible that [[Mercenaries]] are meant to represent the Florentine militia that Machiavelli commanded in real life. This is supported by the fact that he made complains about [[Mercenaries]] in [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].
*Historically Machiavelli had good relations with the Borgia family. In 1502, he was sent on a diplomatic mission to Cesare Borgia. He called Rodrigo Borgia/Pope Alexander VI a very successful politician, because he was the prototype of a leader who has no scruples to reach his target.

==Gallery==

<center><gallery>
Image:AC2-M.jpg|Concept art for Niccolò Machiavelli.
Image:Machiavelli pose.jpg|Machiavelli with a longsword.
Image:Battle for forli.jpg|Battle of Forlì: Machiavelli (left) and Ezio (right) protecting Caterina Sforza from the Templars.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{ACII}}
{{ACBrotherhood}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Machiavelli, Niccolò}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Characters]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Historical Characters]]