Borgia -

The Borgias were a powerful Spanish-Italian dynasty that dominated the Renaissance papacy through strategic brilliance, legendary corruption, and ruthless ambition. The Patriarch: Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI)

: Initially a cardinal, Cesare resigned to become a military commander, attempting to carve out a private kingdom in Italy. Borgia

: His effective, often brutal tactics served as the primary inspiration for Niccolò Machiavelli’s political masterpiece, The Prince . The Borgias were a powerful Spanish-Italian dynasty that

: Despite his dark reputation, his papacy funded major Renaissance works, including the start of the new St. Peter’s Basilica. The Power Player: Cesare Borgia his papacy funded major Renaissance works