What is mirrors of princes?

Mirrors of princes is a genre of political advice literature that originated in the Islamic world during the medieval period. These texts were written as a guide to rulers and provided counsel on moral behavior, governance, and leadership. The genre spread throughout the Islamic world and was later adopted by Christian writers in Europe. Mirrors of princes were characterized by their emphasis on the values of justice, piety, and good governance. These texts were meant to serve as a practical guide for rulers and were often written by scholars or political advisors. The most famous mirror of princes is perhaps Machiavelli's "The Prince," which offered a different perspective on governance based on realism rather than morality. Overall, mirrors of princes were an important genre of political literature that shaped political discourse and governance practices for centuries.