Cesare Borgia

NAME Cesare Borgia

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Cesare Borgia is famous for his role as a ruthless military leader and politician during the Italian Renaissance, and as the inspiration for Machiavelli's The Prince.

BIRTH  Born on September 13, 1475, in Subiaco, near Rome, Italy.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Cesare was the illegitimate son of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI) and Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was a member of the powerful and infamous Borgia family.

CHILDHOOD Cesare grew up in a privileged environment, receiving a comprehensive education and benefiting from his father's influence and power within the Catholic Church.

EDUCATION He studied at the University of Perugia and the University of Pisa, focusing on law and the humanities. His education was intended to prepare him for a career in the Church.

CAREER RECORD Pope Alexander VI, a man with the moral compass of a drunken compass, was busy using his position to line his family's pockets. The year after he became Pope, his 17-year-old son, Cesare Borgia, was appointed a cardinal but he renounced his ecclesiastical career to become a military leader and politician. He became Duke of Valentinois and Romagna and Captain General of the Papal States, where he pursued ambitious campaigns to consolidate and expand his power.

APPEARANCE Contemporary accounts describe Cesare as handsome, with a strong, athletic build, dark eyes, and a commanding presence.

A copy of an original contemporary portrait painting of Bartolomeo Veneto

FASHION Cesare dressed in the opulent fashion of the Renaissance nobility, often wearing richly decorated armor and clothing that signified his status and power.

CHARACTER Borgia was known for his ambition, cunning, and ruthlessness. He was a charismatic leader who inspired both loyalty and fear. Borgia used his appearance to project power and authority.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Historical records do not provide much insight into his sense of humor, focusing more on his political and military activities.

RELATIONSHIPS Cesare had numerous relationships, both personal and political. He married on May 10, 1499 Charlotte d'Albret, the sister of King John III of Navarre, to secure an alliance with France. He also had many rumored affairs and illegitimate children.

Cesare maintained close relationships with his family, particularly his sister Lucrezia.

MONEY AND FAME Cesare's wealth came from his family connections and his conquests. His fame, or infamy, was widespread, fueled by his ambitious and often ruthless actions.

FOOD AND DRINK Cesare might have been a military mastermind, but he wasn't exactly known for his piety. One particularly scandalous event was the "Banquet of Chestnuts" in 1501. Imagine a fancy dinner party at the Vatican, except instead of ambassadors and dignitaries, there were 50 prostitutes. 

MUSIC AND ARTS He benefited from the patronage of his father and sister, surrounded by Renaissance art and music

LITERATURE His life and actions have inspired numerous works of fiction and historical accounts. 

Cesare is famously associated with Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince, which uses his actions as examples of political strategy and power dynamics.

NATURE He enjoyed outdoor activities, including hunting and horseback riding

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Cesare l engaged in hunting and other activities typical of Renaissance nobility.

SCIENCE AND MATHS He benefited from advancements in these fields during the Renaissance.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Raised in a religious environment and initially groomed for a church career, Cesare's life was marked more by his pragmatic and often ruthless approach to politics, as famously described by Machiavelli. His actions and ambition contributed to the rise of secularism during the Renaissance.

SCANDAL Cesare's life was filled with scandals, including accusations of murder, betrayal, and incest. His ruthless methods in consolidating power and the infamous reputation of the Borgia family contributed to numerous scandals.

MILITARY RECORD On August 17, 1498, Cesare resigned the cardinalate, in order to pursue a military career.

Cesare was an accomplished military leader, known for his strategic acumen and ruthless tactics. He led successful campaigns to assert control over parts of Italy, notably Romagna, and was appointed Captain General of the Papal States.

The famous artist Michelangelo actually worked for Cesare for a while, designing fortresses and bridges for his newly conquered lands.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Cesare was physically fit and robust, essential for his military campaigns. However, he suffered from syphilis, which eventually contributed to his decline.

HOMES Cesare lived in various residences befitting his status, including the Vatican when his father was pope. He owned several country estates and villas in central Italy.

TRAVEL Cesare traveled extensively across Italy and France, both for military campaigns and political alliances.

DEATH Cesare Borgia died on March 12, 1507, in Viana, Navarre (now Spain), during a military campaign. He was killed in an ambush at the age of 31.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Cesare Borgia has been depicted in numerous books, films, and television series, often focusing on his notorious reputation and Machiavellian tactics. Notable portrayals include Francois Arnaud in the 2011-2013 TV series The Borgias.

ACHIEVEMENTS Cesare Borgia's achievements include significant military victories and political maneuvering that temporarily expanded Borgia influence in Italy. His life and actions have had a lasting impact on political theory, notably influencing Machiavelli's seminal work, The Prince.