The Prince, Chapter 12 summary

What happens

1. The narrator identifies sound arms and laws as the foundations of states, then concentrates on military forces.
2. He argues that mercenaries lack loyalty, flee danger, and expose their employers to either incompetence or ambitious commanders.
3. He recommends personal command for princes and citizen soldiers for republics, citing armed communities that preserve their freedom.
4. Ancient and Italian examples show hired commanders threatening their employers, while Venetian expansion exposes growing dependence on dangerous captains.
5. He traces Italian reliance on foreign soldiers to political fragmentation and the military inexperience of priests and citizens.
6. He describes captains favoring cavalry and avoiding dangerous fighting, practices he blames for Italy’s humiliation.

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