My Library

Machiavelli would have expected his readers to be familiar with the exploits of the men he mentions from contemporary and modern times, while they would not have known so much about some of the figures he cites from ancient history. In an attempt to put today’s reader in something of the same position, I have been more generous with information on the figures from modern history, and less so with those from Roman times and before. achilles Greek hero in the Trojan War, son of the immortal nymph Thetis and raised by Chiron the centaur. acuto, giovanni Italianization of John Hawkwood (1320– 94). Having served in the English army in France, in 1360 Hawkwood joined mercenary soldiers in Burgundy and later commanded the so-called White Company fighting for different states and factions in Italy. Constantly playing off his employers against their enemies, he built up considerable wealth. From 1390 on he commanded Florentine armies in their war against the Viscontis of Milan. agathocles (361–289 bc) Ruler of Syracuse (317–289 bc) and King of Sicily (304–289 bc). Seized power in Syracuse, exil- ing and murdering thousands in the process. His formation of a strong army and domination of Sicily led to protracted conflict with Carthage. albinus Decimus Clodius Ceionius Septimius (c.150–197). Roman military commander in Britain who proclaimed himself emperor on the murder of Pertinax in 193. Albinus initially allied himself with Severus in Rome who had also proclaimed himself