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Orsini； born 1442； died 1510。
＇＇ Battle of Vaila in 1509。
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
come 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
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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 commenced to enlist foreigners。
The first who gave renown to this soldiery was Alberigo da Conio；＇*＇
the Romagnian。 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。
＇*＇ Alberigo da Conio。 Alberico da Barbiano； Count of Cunio in
Romagna。 He was the leader of the famous 〃Company of St George；〃
composed entirely of Italian soldiers。 He died in 1409。
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CHAPTER XIII
CONCERNING AUXILIARIES； MIXED SOLDIERY； AND
ONE'S OWN
Auxiliaries； which are the other useless arm； are employed when a
prince is called in with his forces to aid and defend； as was done by Pope
Julius in the most recent times； for he； having； in the enterprise against
Ferrara； had poor proof of his mercenaries； turned to auxiliaries； and
stipulated with Ferdinand； King of Spain；＇*＇ for his assistance with men
and arms。 These arms may be useful and good in themselves； but for him
who calls them in they are always disadvantageous； for losing； one is
undone； and winning； one is their captive。
＇*＇ Ferdinand V （F。 II of Aragon and Sicily； F。 III of Naples）； surnamed
〃The Catholic；〃 born 1542； died 1516。
And although ancient histories may be full of examples； I do not wish
to leave this recent one of Pope Julius the Second； the peril of which
cannot fail to be perceived； for he； wishing to get Ferrara； threw himself
entirely into the hands of the foreigner。 But his good fortune brought about
a third event； so that he did not reap the fruit of his rash choice； because；
having his auxiliaries routed at Ravenna； and the Switzers having risen
and driven out the conquerors （against all expectation； both his and others）；
it so came to pass that he did not become prisoner to his enemies； they
having fled； nor to his auxiliaries； he having conquered by other arms than
theirs。
The Florentines； being entirely without arms； sent ten thousand
Frenchmen to take Pisa； whereby they ran more danger than at any other
time of their troubles。
The Emperor of Constantinople；＇*＇ to oppose his neighbours； sent ten
thousand Turks into Greece； who； on the war being finished； were not
willing to quit； this was the beginning of the servitude of Greece to the
infidels。
＇*＇ Joannes Cantacuzenus； born 1300； died 1383。
Therefore； let him who has no desire to conquer make use of these
arms； for they are much more hazardous than mercenaries； because with
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them the ruin is ready made； they are all united； all yield obedience to
others； but with mercenaries； when they have conquered； more time and
better opportunities are needed to injure you； they are not all of one
community； they are found and paid by you； and a third party； which you
have made their head； is not able all at once to assume enough authority to
injure you。 In conclusion； in mercenaries dastardy is most dangerous； in
auxiliaries； valour。 The wise prince； therefore； has always avoided these
arms and turned to his own； and has been willing rather to lose with them
than to conquer with the others； not deeming that a real victory which is
gained with the arms of others。
I shall never hesitate to cite Cesare Borgia and his actions。 This duke
entered the Romagna with auxiliaries； taking there only French soldiers；
and with them he captured Imola and Forli； but afterwards； such forces not
appearing to him reliable； he turned to mercenaries； discerning less danger
in them； and enlisted the Orsini and Vitelli； whom presently； on handling
and finding them doubtful； unfaithful； an