Appeared in Italy in the Middle Ages, the condottieres or condottieri, condottiero in the singular, in Italian (“mercenaries”, from the Italian condotta, contract of hire), are leaders of mercenary armies.
Demobilized regular soldiers or nobles in search of glory, they put their art of war at the service of States. Their services are generally remunerated in cash, and sometimes in land and titles.
According to their condotta (commitment in Italian, according to the Larousse or troop led, commanded, according to the Trésor de la Langue Française), the condottieres must provide soldiers, military equipment and command. They multiply thanks to the struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines. Quite often, their power becomes such that they can take control of the city they serve.
The condottieres spare each other:while they ransom the inhabitants of the conquered countries and demand large sums for the price of their services, they generally return their prisoners without ransom.