Condottieri

thumb|Condottiero and his troops in a Renaissance-era [[fresco, influenced by Landsknecht mercenary fashion]] Condottieri (; singular: condottiero or condottiere) were Italian military leaders active during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. The term originally referred specifically to commanders of mercenary companies, derived from the Italian word condotta—the contract under which they served a city-state or lord. The word condottiero thus meant 'contractor'. Over time, however, in Italian usage, condottiero came to mean any 'commander' or 'military leader'.