Cesare Borgia

Lore & Background

Cesare Borgia was born in Subiaco, Papal States, in either 1475 or 1476, the illegitimate son of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI) and his Italian mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He had three full siblings: Giovanni Borgia, Lucrezia Borgia, and Gioffre Borgia. The Borgia family originally came from the Kingdom of Valencia. Cesare's great-uncle Alphonso Borgia was elected Pope Callixtus III in 1455. Cesare's father was the first pope who openly recognized his children born out of wedlock. The Italian historian Stefano Infessura writes that Cardinal Borgia falsely claimed Cesare to be the legitimate son of another man, Domenico d'Arignano. More likely, Pope Sixtus IV granted Cesare a release from the necessity of proving his birth in a papal bull of 1 October 1480.

Reader's Guide

Cesare was initially groomed for a career in the Church. He studied law at the Studium Urbis. He was made Bishop of Pamplona (aged 15) and Archbishop of Valencia (aged 17). In 1493, he was also appointed bishop of both Castres and Elne. In 1494, he received the title of abbot of the abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa. Along with his father's elevation to Pope, Cesare was made Cardinal at age 18. His brother Giovanni was assassinated in 1497 under mysterious circumstances; several contemporaries suggested Cesare was the killer, but his role has never been clear. On 17 August 1498, Cesare resigned from the cardinalate to pursue a military career. On the same day, Louis XII named Cesare Duke of Valentinois. On 6 September 1499, he was released from all ecclesiastical duties and laicised from his diaconal orders. Cesare's military career was founded upon his father's ability to distribute patronage, along with his alliance with France. He was appointed commander of the papal armies and captured Imola and Forlì. In 1500, he hired condottieri and resumed his campaign in Romagna. He ousted Giovanni Sforza from Pesaro, Pandolfo Malatesta lost Rimini, Faenza surrendered, and its young lord Astorre III Manfredi was drowned in the Tiber by Cesare's order. In May 1501, he was created Duke of Romagna. He added the lordship of Piombino to his lands. In June 1502, he captured Urbino and Camerino by treason. His condottieri plotted against him, but on 31 December 1502, he imprisoned them in Senigallia and had them strangled. In 1503, he conquered the Republic of San Marino. After his father's death in 1503, Cesare convalesced in Castel Sant'Angelo from malarial fever. The new pope, Pius III, supported him but died after 26 days. Cesare's enemy Giuliano Della Rovere tricked him into supporting his election as Pope Julius II, then turned against him. Cesare was forced to give up San Marino. He was captured in Naples by Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba and imprisoned, while his lands were retaken.

Did You Know?

• Cesare Borgia's date of birth is a subject of dispute; he was born in either 1475 or 1476.
• He resigned from the cardinalate on 17 August 1498, not immediately after his brother's murder in 1497.
• Cesare was only ordained deacon on 26 March 1494 and never received priesthood or bishop consecration.
• He was made Bishop of Pamplona at age 15, but the see of Tudela was not combined with Pamplona at that time.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"However much Rome may be in the habit of speaking and writing, for my own part, I shall give these libellers a lesson in good manners." — Cesare Borgia "Cesare to his father, Pope Alexander VI, (November, 1501), as quoted by Rafael Sabatini, 'The Life of Cesare Borgia', Chapter XI: The Letter to Silvio Savelli." — Cesare Borgia "Cesare's letter to Lucrezia (July 1502), as quoted by Rafael Sabatini, 'The Life of Cesare Borgia', Chapter XIII: Urbino and Camerino." — Cesare Borgia "A matter which would be easily accomplished, as the best men of that State have already offered themselves to me." — Cesare Borgia