nni de' Medici--called
"_delle Bande Nere_" and Maria de' Salviati. Born in 1498, at Forli,
Giovanni--also known as "_Giovannino_" to distinguish him from his
father Giovanni, "_Il Popolano_"--was destined from his cradle to a
military career. With such a mother as Caterina, the natural daughter
of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan, he was bound to acquire with
her milk the instincts of a pushful personality.

Pope Leo X., who was a Florentine of the Florentines, extended his
zealous patronage to the rearing and the training of his youthful
relative. If not a caster of horoscopes, he was a reader of character,
and, son as he was of Lorenzo "Il Magnifico," he foresaw a future for
"_Giovannino_" fraught with immense importance to his family and his
native city.

After receiving his early training as a soldier in Rome, attached to the
staff of one or other of the _Condottieri_, young Giovanni was appointed
to a military command with the Papal army in Lombardy, when he was
little more than out of his teens. His splendid physique and his prowess
in friendly encounter, revealed the lion that was in him. The leader in
all boyish pranks and rivalries, he displayed intrepid courage and
unfailing resourcefulness when called upon to prove his metal. To strike
quickly and to strike hard, he knew very well meant the battle half
won--hence there was added to his sobriquet two significant
appellations--"_L'Invincible_" and "_Il Gran Diabolo_!"

The troops under his command were, as was the rule in the Papal armies,
composed of motley companies of alien mercenaries and forced levies,
but, in addition, very many soldiers of fortune, attracted by his fame,
rallied to his banner. Very soon the "_Bande Nere_," as Giovanni's
force was called, gave evidence that they had no equals in equipment and
efficiency. Their leader took as his models the infantry of Spain and
the cavalry of Germany. Each man wore a black silk ribbon badge, and
each lance bore its black pennon--hence the "_Bande Nere_."

It has been said of Mars, the God of War, that he was susceptible to the
wiles of Venus, even when intent on deeds of daring, so, too, was it
true of Condottiere Giovanni de' Medici. Although born outside the "City
of the Lily," and the child of a non-Florentine mother, he and his were
always on terms of good relationship with the gentle Duke Lorenzo. His
associations with Florence were of the closest nature, and
"_Giovannino_" was quite content