Final answer:
The Prince, or Il Principe, is a 16th-century political treatise by Niccolò Machiavelli, one of the most influential political thinkers of the Renaissance period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Italian writer of the 16th-century political treatise The Prince, or Il Principe is Niccolò Machiavelli. Machiavelli is considered one of the most influential political thinkers of the Renaissance period. His work explores the nature of power, politics, and leadership, offering guidance to rulers on how to gain and maintain political power.