chalk Alexander VI supposedly remarked that Charles VIII of France was able to conquer Italy with a piece of chalk, simply by marking the doors of houses in order to claim them as quarters for his soldiers.
sins Savonarola interpreted the foreign invasions as punishment for Italian sinfulness, but Machiavelli says that the only sin involved was that of relying on mercenaries.
Carthage ancient city-state in northern Africa, founded by Phonecians near the site of modern Tunis and destroyed by Romans, rebuilt by Romans, and destroyed by Arabs.
Epaminondas a famous Theban general. Philip II of Macedon (382–336 B.C.) was not a mercenary but an ally of the Thebans.
Duke Filippo Filippo Maria Visconti (1392–1447), Duke of Milan. Francesco Sforza's rise to power in Milan is described in Chapter 2.
Queen Giovanna Giovanna II of Naples (1371–1435). The incident referred to involved a dispute between Giovanna and Muzio Attendolo Sforza (1369–1424). Sforza supported Louis III of Anjou as Giovanna's successor, while she favored Alfonso V, King of Aragon.
John Hawkwood (circa 1320–1394), also called Giovanni Acuto, an English mercenary who spent his career in Italy. Near the end of his life, he worked for the Florentines.
Paolo Vitelli (circa 1459–1499) mercenary leader employed by the Florentines. The Florentine government became suspicious of his conduct in the war against Pisa and had him executed.
Carmagnola Francesco Bussone (1380–1432), Count of Caramagnola, was a mercenary originally employed by the Milanese and dismissed by them. He was then employed by the Venetians, for whom he defeated the Milanese army. The Venetians were suspicious of his relationship with the Milanese and had him executed.
Vailà the city at which the League of Cambrai, including forces of Julius II and Louis XII, defeated the Venetians in 1509.
Empire the Holy Roman Empire, in west-central Europe, comprising the German-speaking peoples and northern Italy.
Alberigo da Cunio Alberigo da Barbiano (1348–1409), Count of Cunio. He founded the Company of St. George, the first company of Italian mercenaries.
