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were oppressed by their mercenary soldiers after the first war with the
Romans； although the Carthaginians had their own citizens for captains。
After the death of Epaminondas； Philip of Macedon was made captain of
their soldiers by the Thebans； and after victory he took away their
liberty。
Duke Filippo being dead； the Milanese enlisted Francesco Sforza against
the Venetians； and he； having overe the enemy at Caravaggio； allied
himself with them to crush the Milanese； his masters。 His father；
Sforza； having been engaged by Queen Johanna of Naples； left her
unprotected； so that she was forced to throw herself into the arms of
the King of Aragon； in order to save her kingdom。 And if the Venetians
and Florentines formerly extended their dominions by these arms； and yet
their captains did not make themselves princes； but have defended them；
I reply that the Florentines in this case have been favoured by chance；
for of the able captains； of whom they might have stood in fear； some
have not conquered； some have been opposed； and others have turned their
ambitions elsewhere。 One who did not conquer was Giovanni Acuto； ＇2＇ and
since he did not conquer his fidelity cannot be proved； but every one
will acknowledge that； had he conquered； the Florentines would have
stood at his discretion。 Sforza had the Bracceschi always against him；
so they watched each other。 Francesco turned his ambition to Lombardy；
Braccio against the Church and the kingdom of Naples。 But let us e to
that which happened a short while ago。 The Florentines appointed as
their captain Paolo Vitelli； a most prudent man； who from a private
position had risen to the greatest renown。 If this man had taken Pisa；
nobody can deny that it would have been proper for the Florentines to
keep in with him； for if he became the soldier of their enemies they had
no means of resisting； and if they held to him they must obey him。 The
Venetians； if their achievements are considered； will be seen to have
acted safely and gloriously so long as they sent to war their own men；
when with armed gentlemen and plebeians they did valiantly。 This was
before they turned to enterprises on land； but when they began to fight
on land they forsook this virtue and followed the custom of Italy。 And
in the beginning of their expansion on land； through not having much
territory； and because of their great reputation； they had not much to
fear from their captains； but when they expanded； as under Carmignola；
they had a taste of this mistake； for； having found him a most valiant
man （they beat the Duke of Milan under his leadership）； and； on the
other hand； knowing how lukewarm he was in the war； they feared they
would no longer conquer under him； and for this reason they were not
willing； nor were they able； to let him go； and so； not to lose again
that which they had acquired； they were pelled； in order to secure
themselves； to murder him。 They had afterwards for their captains
Bartolomeo da Bergamo； Roberto da San Severino； the Count of Pitigliano；
and the like； under whom they had to dread loss and not gain； as
happened afterwards at Vaila； where in one battle they lost that which
in eight hundred years they had acquired with so much trouble。 Because
from such arms conquests e but slowly； long delayed and
inconsiderable； but the losses sudden and portentous。
And as with these examples I have reached Italy； which has been ruled
for many years by mercenaries； I wish to discuss them more seriously； in
order that； having seen their rise and progress； one may be better
prepared to counteract them。 You must understand that the empire has
recently e to be repudiated in Italy； that the Pope has acquired more
temporal power； and that Italy has been divided up into more states； for
the reason that many of the great cities took up arms against their
nobles； who； formerly favoured by the emperor； were oppressing them；
whilst the Church was favouring them so as to gain authority in temporal
power： in many others their citizens became princes。 From this it came
to pass that Italy fell partly into the hands of the Church and of
republics； and； the Church consisting of priests and the republic of
citizens unaccustomed to arms； both menced to enlist foreigners。
The first who gave renown to this soldiery was Alberigo da Conio； a
native of the Romagna。 From the school of this man sprang； among others；
Braccio and Sforza； who in their time were the arbiters of Italy。 After
these came all the other captains who till now have directed the arms of
Italy； and the end of all their valour has been； that she has been
overrun by Charles； robbed by Louis； ravaged by Ferdinand； and insulted
by the Switzers。 The principle that has guided them has been； first； to
lower the credit of infantry so that they might increase their own。 They
did this because； subsisting on their pay and without territory； they
were unable to support many soldiers； and a few infantry did not give
them any authority； so they were led to employ cavalry； with a moderate
force of which they were maintained and honoured； and affairs were
brought to such a pass that； in an army of twenty thousand soldiers；
there were not to be found two thousand foot soldiers。 They had； besides
this； used every art to lessen fatigue and danger to themselves and
their soldiers； not killing in the fray； but taking prisoners and
liberating without ransom。 They did not attack towns at night； nor did
the garrisons of the towns attack encampments at night； they did not
surround the camp either with stockade or ditch； nor did they campaign
in the winter。 All these things were permitted by their military rules；
and devised by them to avoid； as I have said； both fatigue and dangers；
thus they have brought Italy to slavery and contempt。
1。 With which to chalk up the billets for his soldiers。
2。 As Sir John Hawkwood； the English leader of mercenaries； was called
by the Italians。
CHAPTER XIII
CONCERNING AUX