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Condottieri were primarily active as military leaders during the Roman Republic era.
Answer: False
Explanation: The provided source material indicates that Condottieri were primarily active as military leaders during the Middle Ages and the early modern period, not the Roman Republic era.
The term 'Condottieri' originated from the Italian word 'condotta,' which referred to the contract governing mercenary service.
Answer: True
Explanation: The term 'Condottiero' indeed originates from the Italian word 'condotta,' signifying the contract that formalized mercenary service, thereby defining the commander of such troops.
Wealthy Italian city-states hired mercenaries because they had large, well-trained standing armies.
Answer: False
Explanation: Wealthy Italian city-states often hired mercenaries precisely because they lacked sufficient native soldiers and well-trained standing armies to defend their territories effectively.
From the 15th century onwards, condottieri were exclusively landless mercenaries seeking fortune.
Answer: False
Explanation: While many condottieri from the 15th century onwards were landless nobles, the role also included princes and lords who served as military leaders, not exclusively landless mercenaries.
The Republic of Venice frequently hired naval mercenaries to bolster its fleet.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Republic of Venice notably avoided hiring naval mercenaries, considering it a matter of pride and self-reliance for its maritime defense.
The meaning of 'condottiere' evolved to exclusively mean a mercenary soldier hired through a contract.
Answer: False
Explanation: The meaning of 'condottiere' evolved over time; while initially tied to the contract ('condotta'), it broadened to signify any military leader or commander, rather than becoming exclusively limited to mercenary soldiers.
Condottieri primarily served the Byzantine Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Condottieri were primarily Italian military leaders who served Italian city-states and lords, not the Byzantine Empire.
What was the primary role of Condottieri in medieval and early modern Italy?
Answer: To lead mercenary companies hired to fight for city-states or lords.
Explanation: The primary role of Condottieri was to command mercenary companies, which were hired by Italian city-states and lords for military service.
Why did wealthy Italian city-states like Florence and Venice initially hire mercenary companies?
Answer: They lacked sufficient native soldiers to defend themselves effectively.
Explanation: Italian city-states frequently hired mercenary companies because they possessed limited native military forces and needed external troops for defense and conflict.
The term 'Condottiero' is derived from which Italian word related to their service?
Answer: Condotta (Contract)
Explanation: The term 'Condottiero' is derived from the Italian word 'condotta,' which referred to the contract governing mercenary service.
From the 15th century onwards, who commonly served as condottieri?
Answer: Landless Italian nobles, princes, and lords.
Explanation: From the 15th century onward, condottieri frequently included landless Italian nobles, as well as princes and lords who pursued military leadership as a profession.
Which major Italian maritime republic notably avoided hiring naval mercenaries?
Answer: Venice
Explanation: The Republic of Venice notably avoided hiring naval mercenaries, considering it a matter of pride and self-reliance for its maritime defense.
How did the meaning of 'condottiere' evolve over time?
Answer: It broadened to mean any military leader or commander, losing its specific contract connotation.
Explanation: Over time, the term 'condottiere' evolved from referring specifically to a commander of mercenary troops under contract to broadly meaning any military leader or commander.
The first mercenary bands in Italy after the Crusades were primarily composed of local Italian soldiers.
Answer: False
Explanation: The initial mercenary bands in Italy following the Crusades were largely composed of experienced European soldiers, particularly Flemings (Brabanzoni) and Spanish soldiers, rather than primarily local Italian troops.
The Brabanzoni were mercenary groups originating from Spain.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Brabanzoni were mercenary bands primarily composed of Flemings, while separate Spanish soldiers also formed early mercenary groups in Italy.
The first mercenary bands in Italy were formed by soldiers returning from campaigns in the Holy Land.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the Crusades, experienced European soldiers with experience from campaigns in the Holy Land formed some of the earliest mercenary bands seeking employment in Italy.
Which group formed some of the earliest roving mercenary bands in Italy after the Crusades?
Answer: Flemish (Brabanzoni) and Spanish soldiers
Explanation: Following the Crusades, experienced European soldiers, notably Flemish (Brabanzoni) and Spanish troops, formed some of the earliest roving mercenary bands in Italy.
Werner von Urslingen's Ventura Company was notable for establishing a code of military justice and fair income division.
Answer: True
Explanation: Werner von Urslingen's Ventura Company was distinguished by its implementation of a code of military justice and a structured system for dividing income derived from contracts.
The Great Company, led by Werner von Urslingen, was known for its lack of discipline and chaotic organization.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Great Company, led by Werner von Urslingen, was noted for its imposed code of military justice and discipline, distinguishing it from more chaotic mercenary groups.
Lodrisio Visconti's 'Company of St. George' was the first successful Italian-led mercenary company.
Answer: False
Explanation: Lodrisio Visconti's 'Company of St. George' was the first Italian-led mercenary company, but it was ultimately defeated and destroyed shortly after its formation.
Alberico da Barbiano's second 'Company of St. George' was significant because he later trained renowned condottieri.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alberico da Barbiano's formation of the second 'Company of St. George' is historically significant due to his subsequent role in training prominent future condottieri.
Sir John Hawkwood led the 'Blue Company' into Italy after the Peace of Bretigny.
Answer: False
Explanation: Sir John Hawkwood led the English mercenary group known as the 'White Company' into Italy after the Peace of Bretigny, not the 'Blue Company'.
Giovanni dalle Bande Nere is famously known as 'The Last Condottiere'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Giovanni dalle Bande Nere is widely recognized and referred to as 'The Last Condottiere'.
Cosimo I de' Medici was the father of Giovanni dalle Bande Nere.
Answer: False
Explanation: Giovanni dalle Bande Nere was the son of Caterina Sforza; Cosimo I de' Medici was his son.
Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta and Federico da Montefeltro were rulers who also served as condottieri.
Answer: True
Explanation: Both Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta and Federico da Montefeltro were prominent Italian rulers who also engaged in service as condottieri.
Werner von Urslingen, Konrad von Landau, and John Hawkwood are all mentioned as prominent 14th-century condottieri.
Answer: True
Explanation: Werner von Urslingen, Konrad von Landau, and John Hawkwood are indeed cited as prominent condottieri active during the 14th century.
The Battle of Parabiago in 1339 involved the defeat of Luchino Visconti's forces by Lodrisio Visconti.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Battle of Parabiago in 1339 resulted in the defeat of Lodrisio Visconti's 'Company of St. George' by Luchino Visconti of Milan.
The Cesena Bloodbath involved mercenaries under John Hawkwood slaughtering citizens during the War of the Eight Saints.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Cesena Bloodbath of 1377, occurring during the War of the Eight Saints, involved mercenaries led by John Hawkwood who committed atrocities against the city's inhabitants.
In the Battle of Castagnaro (1387), John Hawkwood fought for Verona against Giovanni Ordelaffi.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Battle of Castagnaro (1387), John Hawkwood fought for Padova against Giovanni Ordelaffi, who was fighting for Verona.
Braccio da Montone defeated Carlo I Malatesta in the Battle of Sant'Egidio in 1416.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Battle of Sant'Egidio in 1416 concluded with Braccio da Montone defeating Carlo I Malatesta.
The Count of Carmagnola led Milan against Venice in the Battle of Maclodio in 1427.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Battle of Maclodio in 1427, the Count of Carmagnola led the forces of Venice against Milan.
Niccolò Piccinino fought for Milan against a coalition of Florence, the Papal States, and Venice at the Battle of Anghiari in 1440.
Answer: True
Explanation: At the Battle of Anghiari in 1440, Niccolò Piccinino commanded the forces of Milan against a coalition comprising Florence, the Papal States, and Venice.
The Battle of Agnadello in 1509 resulted in a victory for the Italian League against Venice.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Battle of Agnadello in 1509 saw Bartolomeo d'Alviano, fighting for Venice, achieve a victory against the combined forces of France and the Italian League.
Gian Giacomo Medici fought for Siena and France against Piero Strozzi in the Battle of Marciano (1554).
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Battle of Marciano (1554), Gian Giacomo Medici fought for Florence and the Holy Roman Empire against Piero Strozzi, who represented Siena and France.
Luchino Visconti's victory over Werner von Urslingen's company occurred at the Battle of Anghiari.
Answer: False
Explanation: Luchino Visconti's victory over Werner von Urslingen's company occurred at the Battle of Parabiago, not Anghiari.
Alberico da Barbiano founded an all-Italian 'condotta' and defeated a Breton company at Marino in 1379.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alberico da Barbiano established an all-Italian 'condotta,' the 'Company of St. George,' and achieved renown by defeating a Breton company at Marino in 1379.
The 'Company of St. George' led by Lodrisio Visconti was ultimately successful.
Answer: False
Explanation: Lodrisio Visconti's 'Company of St. George' was defeated and destroyed shortly after its formation in 1339, thus it was not ultimately successful.
What distinguished Werner von Urslingen's company from many other mercenary groups?
Answer: It imposed a code of military justice and divided income equally.
Explanation: Werner von Urslingen's company was notable for establishing a code of military justice and ensuring an equitable division of income from contracts, setting it apart from many contemporary mercenary groups.
Who led the first mercenary company with an Italian leader, and what was its fate?
Answer: Lodrisio Visconti; it was defeated and destroyed shortly after formation.
Explanation: Lodrisio Visconti led the first Italian-led mercenary company, the 'Company of St. George,' which was unfortunately defeated and destroyed shortly after its establishment.
The second 'Company of St. George,' formed in 1377, is historically significant because:
Answer: Its leader, Alberico da Barbiano, later trained famous condottieri.
Explanation: The second 'Company of St. George,' under Alberico da Barbiano, is historically significant because its leader subsequently trained many renowned condottieri.
Who led the English mercenary group known as the White Company into Italy around 1360?
Answer: Sir John Hawkwood
Explanation: Sir John Hawkwood led the English mercenary group, the White Company, into Italy around 1360.
Who is famously known as 'The Last Condottiere'?
Answer: Giovanni dalle Bande Nere
Explanation: Giovanni dalle Bande Nere is widely recognized and referred to as 'The Last Condottiere'.
Which of the following famous Italian rulers served as a condottiero?
Answer: Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta
Explanation: Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta was a notable Italian ruler who also served as a condottiero.
In the Battle of Castagnaro (1387), who was fighting for Padova?
Answer: John Hawkwood
Explanation: In the Battle of Castagnaro in 1387, John Hawkwood was fighting for Padova against Giovanni Ordelaffi.
The Battle of Agnadello in 1509 involved which condottiero fighting for Venice?
Answer: Bartolomeo d'Alviano
Explanation: Bartolomeo d'Alviano was the condottiero fighting for Venice at the Battle of Agnadello in 1509.
Condottieri approached warfare primarily through direct, valorous combat, similar to the ideals of chivalry.
Answer: False
Explanation: Condottieri approached warfare through military science, strategy, and tactics aimed at outmaneuvering opponents, rather than relying on direct, valorous combat characteristic of chivalry.
Condottieri relied heavily on classical military texts like Vegetius's 'On Military Matters' for strategic guidance.
Answer: True
Explanation: Many condottieri were educated and drew strategic guidance from classical military texts, notably Vegetius's 'Epitoma rei militarii'.
Niccolò Machiavelli described condottieri battles as typically bloody and decisive engagements.
Answer: False
Explanation: Machiavelli observed that battles between condottieri were often grandiose but near-bloodless and pointless, emphasizing strategic maneuvering over decisive combat.
How did the condottieri's approach to warfare differ from medieval chivalry?
Answer: They focused on military science, strategy, and avoiding unnecessary risks.
Explanation: Condottieri prioritized military science, strategy, and risk avoidance, contrasting with the chivalric emphasis on direct, valorous combat.
Which classical military text is mentioned as influencing condottieri strategic thinking?
Answer: Vegetius's 'Epitoma rei militarii'
Explanation: Vegetius's 'Epitoma rei militarii' (On Military Matters) is cited as a classical military text that influenced the strategic thinking of condottieri.
According to Machiavelli, what characterized many battles fought between condottieri?
Answer: Grandiose but often pointless and near-bloodless encounters.
Explanation: Machiavelli observed that battles between condottieri were frequently characterized as grandiose but largely pointless and near-bloodless encounters.
The 'lancia' was an early mercenary formation consisting of heavily armored knights.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'lancia' was a tactical unit comprising three soldiers (a mounted leader, groom, and boy), not an early formation of heavily armored knights.
Condottieri contracts, known as 'ferma,' typically lasted indefinitely until the employer decided otherwise.
Answer: False
Explanation: Condottieri contracts, or 'condotta,' stipulated a specific service period known as the 'ferma,' which concluded and required renewal, rather than lasting indefinitely.
A condottiere's professional reputation was unimportant, as they could easily find new contracts even after betraying employers.
Answer: False
Explanation: A condottiere's professional reputation was critically important, as betraying an employer would severely damage their credibility and ability to secure future contracts.
The 'condotta' was a type of battlefield formation used by mercenary companies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'condotta' referred to the formal contract governing mercenary service, not a battlefield formation.
What was the 'lancia' formation described in the text?
Answer: A tactical unit typically comprising three soldiers: a mounted leader, a groom, and a boy.
Explanation: The 'lancia' was a tactical unit within mercenary armies, consisting of three soldiers: a mounted leader, a groom, and a boy.
What was the 'ferma' in the context of condottieri contracts?
Answer: The period of service stipulated in the contract.
Explanation: The 'ferma' referred to the stipulated period of service within a condottieri contract ('condotta').
Why was a condottiere's professional reputation crucial?
Answer: It was essential for securing future contracts, as deception ruined credibility.
Explanation: A condottiere's professional reputation was paramount for securing future contracts, as any breach of trust or deception would severely damage their credibility.
The decline of condottieri was partly due to their continued use of medieval tactics against European powers adopting firearms and professional armies.
Answer: True
Explanation: The continued reliance on medieval tactics by condottieri, while European powers adopted firearms and professional armies, was a significant factor in their decline.
By the late 14th century, mercenary armies in Italy began incorporating more Italian soldiers, moving towards semi-national forces.
Answer: True
Explanation: Towards the end of the 14th century, mercenary armies in Italy started to include a greater number of Italian soldiers, marking a transition towards more semi-national forces.
Machiavelli observed that Italian states in the 15th century relied on their own well-developed military forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: Machiavelli observed that principal Italian states in the 15th century lacked their own fully developed military forces, relying instead on lesser princes or professional soldiers.
The Battle of Calliano in 1487 saw Venetians defeat German landsknechte and Swiss infantry.
Answer: True
Explanation: At the Battle of Calliano in 1487, Venetian forces successfully defeated German landsknechte and Swiss infantry.
The Italian Wars began in 1494 with the invasion of Italy by the Holy Roman Emperor.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Italian Wars commenced in 1494 with the invasion of Italy by King Charles VIII of France, not the Holy Roman Emperor.
The Swiss Guard of the Vatican is considered a modern successor to the condottieri tradition.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Swiss Guard of the Vatican is regarded as a modern remnant reflecting the historical practice of employing foreign mercenaries, thus linking it to the condottieri tradition.
The Wars of Castro were conflicts between the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza against the Papal States.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Wars of Castro (1641-1649) were indeed conflicts involving the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza against the Papal States.
What factor contributed to the decline of the condottieri system in the later Renaissance?
Answer: The adoption of professional standing armies and new military technologies by other European powers.
Explanation: The adoption of professional standing armies and advancements in military technology by other European powers significantly contributed to the decline of the condottieri system.
What shift occurred in the composition of mercenary armies towards the end of the 14th century?
Answer: They began incorporating a larger proportion of Italian soldiers, becoming more semi-national.
Explanation: By the late 14th century, mercenary armies in Italy started to include a greater number of Italian soldiers, evolving towards more semi-national compositions.
Machiavelli observed that 15th-century Italian states lacked what?
Answer: Their own fully equipped military forces.
Explanation: Machiavelli noted that principal Italian states in the 15th century lacked their own fully equipped military forces.
What significant military event occurred at Calliano in 1487?
Answer: The Venetians defeated German landsknechte and Swiss infantry.
Explanation: The Battle of Calliano in 1487 was significant for the Venetian victory over German landsknechte and Swiss infantry.
Who invaded Italy in 1494, initiating the Italian Wars?
Answer: King Charles VIII of France
Explanation: The Italian Wars began in 1494 with the invasion of Italy by King Charles VIII of France.
Which modern military unit is considered a remnant of the condottieri tradition?
Answer: The Swiss Guard of the Vatican
Explanation: The Swiss Guard of the Vatican is considered a modern successor to the condottieri tradition, reflecting the historical practice of employing foreign mercenaries.
The fresco in the article's first image depicts a condottiero influenced by Landsknecht mercenary fashion.
Answer: True
Explanation: The fresco featured in the article's initial image indeed portrays a condottiero whose attire shows influence from Landsknecht mercenary fashion.
The portrait by Ermanno Stroiffi is titled 'Portrait of a Duke'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The portrait by Ermanno Stroiffi is titled 'Portrait of a condottiero,' not 'Portrait of a Duke'.
The Bellini painting depicts Bartolomeo d'Alviano participating in the Battle of Agnadello.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bellini painting depicts Bartolomeo d'Alviano participating in the Battle of Garigliano (1503), not the Battle of Agnadello.
Bartolomeo Colleoni's portrait suggests he defeated the French at the Battle of Bosco Marengo in 1447.
Answer: True
Explanation: The portrait of Bartolomeo Colleoni indicates that he achieved a victory against the French at the Battle of Bosco Marengo in 1447.
The Velázquez painting featuring Ambrogio Spinola portrays him as a scholar.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Velázquez painting featuring Ambrogio Spinola presents him as one of the last notable figures embodying the condottieri tradition, not specifically as a scholar.
Andrea del Castagno's painting of Farinata degli Uberti showcases the typical armor of a 15th-century condottiero.
Answer: True
Explanation: Andrea del Castagno's painting depicting Farinata degli Uberti illustrates the typical armor worn by a 15th-century condottiero.
What is depicted in the painting by Giovanni Bellini mentioned in the text?
Answer: Bartolomeo d'Alviano
Explanation: The painting by Giovanni Bellini depicts Bartolomeo d'Alviano, a condottiero who participated in the Battle of Garigliano in 1503.
The 'Authority control' section provides links to databases for further information on Condottieri.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Authority control' section indeed offers links to various databases, facilitating further research and information verification on the topic of Condottieri.