Piccolo'mini

Piccolo'mini, an old and distinguished family of Italy, settled at Siena, who subsequently obtained possession of the duchy of Amalfi. It produced numerous celebrated littérateurs and warriors, one pope (see PIUS II.), and several cardinals. One of the most illustrious members of this family was OTTAVIO, Duke of Amalfi, born in 1599. He entered the Spanish military service, and, being sent to aid the Emperor Ferdinand II., fought against the Bohemians at the battle of the Weissenberg (1620), then in the Netherlands, and after that in Wallenstein's army at Lützen (1632). He was one of the chief agents in effecting the fall of the all-powerful general, by betraying his secrets to the emperor. Then he greatly distinguished himself in the battle of Nördlingen (1634). In the following season he was sent to aid the Spaniards in the Netherlands, and speedily drove out the French, but had not much success against the Dutch. He was withdrawn by the emperor in 1640 to stay the Swedes, who, under Banér, were threatening the hereditary possessions of Austria. This purpose he accomplished; but, though he was successful against these northern invaders in the Palatinate, he was worsted in Silesia by Torstenson. Returning to the Spanish service in 1643, he was sent again to the Netherlands to take the command of the Spanish troops. But his success was not nearly so decisive as before, the prestige of the Spanish infantry having been destroyed by Condé at Rocroi (1643). After the signing of the peace of Westphalia (1648) Piccolomini was created a field-marshal by the emperor, and was sent as plenipotentiary to the Congress of Nuremberg (1649). He died at Vienna, 10th August 1656, leaving no children; his son Max, who figures in Schiller's Wallenstein, is only a poetical fiction.