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Of ancient mercenaries, for example, there are the Carthaginians,

who 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 overcome the enemy at

Caravaggio,[2] allied himself with them to crush the Milanese,

his masters. His father, Sforza, having been engaged by Queen

Johanna[3] 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.