The figure of Cesare Borgia is without question the most important example of a new prince in Machiavelli's The Prince, and his actions are put forward as recommendations to all those who wish to acquire a new principality. Through the analysis of the works of Strauss, Skinner, Pocock, Lefort and Althusser we expound on the different ways in which the function of the figure of Cesare Borgia in Machiavelli’s The Prince can be interpreted. What could be offered as a conclusion on that basis is that the basic criteria for a new prince to be successful in his enterprise are the implementation of ordini nuovi, creating an army comprised of his own subjects, prudent and targeted use of violence combined with an awareness of the usefulness of fear and importance of the image that his subjects create of him, avoidance of hate and love of the people alike. Politics takes place in appearances, and Borgia is an example of a prince who is well aware of that and who builds the permanence of his state on an alliance with those on whom he cannot but depend on, the people. All those conditions that Machiavelli put forth for a new prince were fulfilled precisely by Cesare Borgia.