In the summer of 1502, da Vinci was commissioned by Cesare Borgia to design military weapons/technology. He was appointed as Borgia's "senior military architect and general engineer." At this time, Borgia was at the height of his power and was seeking to gain control of the Papal States of Romagna and the Marches. Leonardo left Florence for 10 months and traveled, surveying the territories. It was also during this time that da Vinci created his designs for the machine gun. Due to his contact with Borgia, Leonardo also met Niccoló Machiavelli.

Heydenreich, Ludwig Heinrich. “Leonardo Da Vinci.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 28 Apr. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Leonardo-da-Vinci.