condottiere

Definitions

A leader or member of a troop of mercenaries, especially in Italy during the 14th and 15th centuries.

A professional military commander who contracted his services and those of his private army to city-states or rulers.

Examples

The ruthless condottiere led his band of mercenaries across the Italian countryside, offering his services to the highest bidder.

History remembers him not as a noble knight, but as a cunning condottiere who prioritized profit over political loyalty.

During the Renaissance, many a powerful condottiere rose to prominence by seizing control of city-states through military force.

Synonyms

mercenary soldier of fortune freelance hired gun freebooter adventurer contractor

Antonyms

patriot loyalist conscript regular professional soldier volunteer nationalist