Cesare Borgia is a military and political leader of the Renaissance.
From the first to the last day, the fate of this man gave rise to rumors and legends. Leonardo da Vinci worked under his leadership, and Niccolo Machiavelli considered him the ideal head of state.
Childhood and youth
The exact date and place of birth of Cesare Borgia is unknown: between 1474 and 1476, near Rome. The commoner Vanozza dei Cattanei, the mistress of Cardinal Rodrigo de Borgia, gave birth to a son from him, named Cesare.
Thanks to an influential parent, fate spoiled the boy from childhood. His father prophesied to him a career as a confessor. Cesare received his first position as a teenager. Two years later, the young man, along with the rank of cardinal-deacon, got several dioceses, which guaranteed a considerable income.
But the young man himself gravitated more towards law and theology. The result of his university education was the defense of a dissertation in jurisprudence.
Politician and military leader
In 1492, Cardinal Borgia was elected Pope and named Alexander VI. But the son of the country's chief priest, for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, renounced his dignity and became a layman again.
At that time, Italy was a scattered feudal state, its lands were overwhelmed by wars. These territories were claimed by neighboring countries. Borgia, realizing the need to strengthen the central government, decided to create a strong unified Italian state.
Thus began the political and military career of Cesare Borgia. The idol of the newly-minted commander was Gaius Julius Caesar.
The visionary politician decided to begin the conquest of Italian cities with the principalities of the Papal States. Some settlements, wishing to avoid plunder, surrendered voluntarily, others were besieged by the commander. In a short period of time, starting in 1500, he managed to unite, under the influence of the clergy, most of the lands of the Papal Region.
Next to the commander was always his friend Micheletto Corella, the executioner, who carried out the most "delicate" orders of the commander.
Successful conquests had to be stopped due to the sudden onset of a serious illness of the father and son of Borgia.
Personal life
Not a single portrait of the brilliant commander has survived, and his appearance can only be judged from the descriptions of his contemporaries. It is believed that this was a stately man with a pleasant appearance. There is no definite opinion about his character either. Some call the papal son honest and noble, others - cunning and cunning.
The politician's personal life is full of rumors. He is credited with romantic adventures with courtesans, noble persons, a relationship with his brother's wife, and even with his own sister.
During his lifetime, Borgia recognized two illegitimate children: Girolamo became a poor nobleman, and Camilla - a nun.
By marriage, Cesare was tied only once. The father himself chose the chosen one for his son. She became Princess Charlotte in 1499. Political marriage with a noble French woman did not last long. Almost immediately, Cesare returned to his homeland and the couple never met. After parting, their daughter Louise was born.
Last years
After the sudden death of his father in 1503, his son's condition became very difficult, he could no longer rule the state. The united lands were hastily plundered by the former allies. The new Pope Julius II kept the commander in captivity, from where he was able to escape three years later without support and without money.
Cesare received help from the ruler of Navarre, the brother of Charlotte's wife. King Jean invited a relative to lead his army. On March 12, 1507, during a battle, the commander was ambushed and killed.
The commander was laid to rest in Viana in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But soon it was decided that the sinner did not belong here and the body was reburied. The alleged grave of the Borgia was discovered in 1945. But consent to transfer the remains back under the vaults of the church was received only in 2007.
