Condottieri

Condottieri were military leaders and mercenaries in Italy during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, especially from the 14th to 16th centuries. They led private armies hired by city-states or rulers to fight wars and maintain order. Instead of national armies, city-states relied on these contracted soldiers for their military needs. Condottieri were skilled tacticians and often influential figures, sometimes pursuing their own interests. Their presence shaped Italian warfare during this period, reflecting a shift from feudal armies to professional military providers.