The feathers of a peacock are not an actual defensive implement, only a deterrent.
Granted that mercenaries can be more faithful than one expects, as they have reputations to protect and employment with other forces may not come so easily with their history. It is folly to rely on them too heavily still. One never knows when the money will run out.
Alas, Machiavelli is getting personal here. Mercenaries in the early modern world were very much worth the money. Machiavelli always dreamt of a republic, like that of Rome. His hatred of mercenaries is based on his politics.
The feathers of a peacock are not an actual defensive implement, only a deterrent.
Granted that mercenaries can be more faithful than one expects, as they have reputations to protect and employment with other forces may not come so easily with their history. It is folly to rely on them too heavily still. One never knows when the money will run out.
Alas, Machiavelli is getting personal here. Mercenaries in the early modern world were very much worth the money. Machiavelli always dreamt of a republic, like that of Rome. His hatred of mercenaries is based on his politics.