This is the story of how a band of Catalan outlaws who lived on the frontier between the Muslim and Spanish kingdoms became some of the most sought-after mercenaries in history, defeating the Ottomans, the Byzantine Empire, and finally becoming the masters of Athens. Called the Grand Catalan Company, they were arguably one of the first-or even the first-mercenary companies in history. They usually hired themselves out to the highest bidder but only as long as they got paid. Many an emperor or duke who hired the Catalan Company learned this the hard way.
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