condottiere

She pointed out to the condottiere that all the advantage lay for him in doing what she desired and leaving undone what was desired by Messer Simone.

From The God of Love by Justin H. (Justin Huntly) McCarthy

Seeing that Bonaparte was then known merely as an able condottiere, not as the re-organizer of French society, Pitt's haughty attitude, though deplorable, is intelligible.

From William Pitt and the Great War by John Holland Rose

As for the others, they were clerks, who in one way or another had managed to get their seats—men with no great permanent stake in the community, the modern substitute for the condottiere class.

From The Man Who Wins by Robert Herrick

He's a species of condottiere; we can buy his allegiance with his service: and we must forego the sentimental objection.

From The Quality of Mercy by William Dean Howells

The subjects of the three panels represent the entry into Jerusalem, and scenes from the stirring times in which the great condottiere played so prominent a part.

From Cathedral Cities of Italy by William Wiehe Collins

Xenophon became in essence a mercenary lord, somewhat like the condottieri of Renaissance Italy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

The chosen electors went about that serious task with all the noble intent and show of national interest of a group of condottieri.

From Time Magazine Archive

Like the humanist condottieri of 15th century Italy, they built themselves impregnable and magnificent castles.

From Time Magazine Archive

As a result, these condottieri have conducted Italy into slavery and disgrace.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

This man, as I said, having been named by the Syracusans commander of their armies, immediately realized that mercenary forces were useless, since their condottieri were men like our Italian condottieri.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli