Machiavelli and the Art of Being a Piece of Sh*t | History Hyenas

About this episode

The episode explores the life and influence of Niccolò Machiavelli, connecting historical insights to modern political themes.

The Hyenas head to Renaissance Italy to break down the life, lies, and legendary power plays of Niccolò Machiavelli. The boys dive into *The Prince*, political backstabbing, war, betrayal, and why Machiavelli’s name became synonymous with manipulation centuries later. Was he an evil genius, a realist, or just the first guy honest enough to explain how power actually works? Chris and Yannis also spiral into modern politics, corrupt rulers, Italian history, psychopath leaders, and how Machiavelli’s ideas still run the world today. From the Medici family to modern media spin — the Hyenas connect the dots in only the way they can. It’s history, chaos, philosophy, and pure CTE. #HistoryHyenas #Machiavelli #ThePrince #ItalianHistory #Renaissance #ComedyPodcast #PoliticalHistory #ChrisDistefano #YannisPappas #HistoryPodcast Support our sponsors:Limited time: download Supremacy: World War 3 for free via our link and get an exclusive Elite Bomber Seasonal Unit worth $25 - but only for the next 30 days: https://con.onelink.me/kZW6/95z2moo4 For simple, online access to personalized and affordable care for Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/HYENAS. Keep the bugs away…

People in this episode

Hosts: Chris Distefano, Yannis Pappas

Topics covered

• Renaissance Italy
• Machiavelli
• political manipulation
• Italian history
• modern politics
• power dynamics

Keywords

• Machiavelli
• The Prince
• political history
• Renaissance
• Italian history
• manipulation
• power

Sponsors

Hims, Pestie, Supremacy: World War 3

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Medici family

Books & works: The Prince

More episodes of History Hyenas with Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas

• The Kush Cyclops Queen that Defeated Rome | History Hyenas · June 11, 2026 · 1h 0m
• Vote w Your Feet | History Hyenas · June 4, 2026 · 1h 14m
• Unexpected Origin of the NY Knicks | History Hyenas · May 28, 2026 · 1h 11m
• The Odyssey: The Way Out is In | History Hyenas · May 21, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Dancing to Death in 1518 | History Hyenas · May 7, 2026 · 1h 10m
• The Armenian Genocide was Brutes | History Hyenas · April 30, 2026 · 1h 13m