Niccolo Machiavelli was a political and military philosopher around 1500AD in Florence, Italy during the Italian Renaissance.  His name is associated with shrewd, cunning rule.  His most famous work, The Prince, features many tips for princes to conquer territory (whether it is decentralized, or centralized): Destroy the previous hereditary lineAttack the strong, leave the weakAct unilaterallyLive in the conquered territorySend in colonists rather than soldiersCommit all crimes simultaneously Machiavelli's perfect "Prince" has a military background and extensive knowledge in history, specifically military history.  The Prince should cultivate a loyal local militia, rather than having to rely on mercenaries or auxiliaries.  Large military campaigns should be conducted frequently in order to distract the populace. For more information, read: The Prince by Machiavelli The Art of War by Machiavelli http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/500403.html Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine