ey sustained no loss was due to
the valour of their soldiers But the senate perceiving the source of the
mischief, to the end that one man might put to rights what three had
thrown into confusion, resorted to the appointment of a dictator.

Here we see the disadvantage of having several leaders in one army or
in a town which has to defend itself. And the case could not be put in
clearer words than by Titus Livius, where he says, "_The three tribunes
with consular authority gave proof how hurtful it is in war to have many
leaders; for each forming a different opinion, and each abiding by his
own, they threw opportunities in the way of their enemies._" And though
this example suffice by itself to show the disadvantage in war of
divided commands, to make the matter still plainer I shall cite two
further instances, one ancient and one modern.

In the year 1500, Louis XII. of France, after recovering Milan, sent
troops to restore Pisa to the Florentines, Giovambattista Ridolfi and
Luca d'Antonio Albizzi going with them as commissaries. Now, because
Giovambattista had a great name, and was older than Luca, the latter
left the whole management of everything to him; and although he did not
show his jealousy of him by opposing him, he betrayed it by his silence,
and by being so careless and indifferent about everything, that he gave
no help in the business of the siege either by word or deed, just as
though he had been a person of no account. But when, in consequence of
an accident, Giovambattista had to return to Florence, all this was
changed; for Luca, remaining in sole charge, behaved with the greatest
courage, prudence, and zeal, all which qualities had been hidden while
he held a joint command. Further to bear me out I shall again borrow the
words of Titus Livius, who, in relating how when Quintius and Agrippa
his colleague were sent by the Romans against the Equians, Agrippa
contrived that the conduct of the war should rest with Quintius,
observes, "_Most wholesome is it that in affairs of great moment,
supreme authority be vested in one man._" Very different, however, is
the course followed by the republics and princes of our own days, who,
thinking to be better served, are used to appoint several captains or
commissioners to fill one command; a practice giving rise to so much
confusion, that were we seeking for the causes of the overthrow of the
French and Italian armies in recent times, we should find this to be the
m