ABSTRACT
The war which was being fought in the far-off Kingdom of Naples was of close interest to the Florentines, attached as they were to the fortunes of the French. During his Roman mission Machiavelli was continually being pressed for news of this campaign. At that time there were in fact no battles, but shortly after his departure, on the 28th of December, the French suffered a heavy defeat on the Garigliano through the superior discipline and bravery of the Spanish infantry and the boldness of their commander Gonsalvo. The vanquished had also to contend with the rigours of the winter weather. Piero de’ Medici met his end there, not in the fighting, but drowned in the river in flood: a fitting conclusion to a foolish and unhappy life.
