Cesare Borgia Biography

Cesare Borgia was a Spanish-Italian noble, politician and Cardinal, who resigned his church office and became a powerful military commander in the 15th century, when the Papacy was both a spiritual and military power. He was a powerful lord and a leading political figure of his era. He is an important personality in the Renaissance history, and captured Romagna, which remained a Papal state till the 19th century. He was the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI, who wanted him to become a clergy. He was made a Bishop by the age of 15 and an Archbishop at the age of 17. However, he had different plans for himself and gave up his position in the church to become the Duke of Valentinois. From there on, he used the Papal patronage of his father and the support of France, by virtue of his marriage to the sister of King John III of Navarre, to expand his territory and gain power. He was ruthless in his ways and feared by all. However, he had made several enemies who struck back after his father’s death. In his last days, he was betrayed by his allies and imprisoned. He escaped from captivity, only to be killed in battle while regaining lost territory.