The rise and fall of Italy warrior for hire

Dig into the history of the elite mercenaries known as
condottieri, who were soldiers for hire for Italy's rich
and powerful.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, mercenaries
known as condottieri dominated Italian warfare,
profiting from and encouraging the region's
intense political rivalries. As rulers competed for
power and prestige, their disputes often played out in
military conflicts, fought almost entirely by the
condottieri. So who were these elite and conniving
warriors? Stephanie Honchell Smith investigates.
Lesson by Stephanie Honchell Smith, directed by Yael
Reisfeld.