THE NOVEL - SUMMARY AND NOTES

TYPES OF TROOPS DISCUSSED IN PART II

The different types of troops, their characteristics, and the likely consequences of using them, as discussed by Machiavelli in Part II, are summarized here for your convenient reference.

• MERCENARY

Fight for money. Sometimes disloyal, and never well-motivated. Often seek to avoid actually engaging in military action, in order to minimize casualties.

• AUXILIARY

Serve another prince. Fight only because of an alliance, which is likely to prove temporary. If they are victorious, their victory will deliver the prince who depended on them into the power of his former ally.

• NATIVE

Recruited from among the citizens themselves. Their motivation is strong because they are defending their own homes, families, and freedom. Their loyalty can be secured in the same way that the loyalty of one's other subjects is secured.

• MIXED

Include native troops mixed with mercenaries or auxiliaries. Cannot escape the disadvantages of the latter two types. Also, dissension may arise between native and foreign units.

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