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 created 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, not far from Rome. The commoner Vanozza dei Cattanei, the mistress of Cardinal Rodrigo de Borgia, gave birth to a son named Cesare.
Thanks to an influential parent, fate spoiled the boy from childhood. Father prophesied to him the career of a confessor. Cesare received his first position as a teenager. Two years later, the young man, along with the rank of Cardinal Deacon, went to several dioceses, which guaranteed a considerable income.
But the young man himself was more inclined 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 received the name of Alexander VI. But the son of the country's chief clergyman, for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, refused the dignity and again became a layman.
At that time, Italy was a scattered feudal state; its lands were overwhelmed by wars. The neighboring countries claimed for these territories. Borgia, realizing the need to strengthen central authority, decided to create a strong unified Italian state.
Thus began the political and military career of Cesare Borgia. The idol of the new commander was Guy Julius Caesar.
The visionary politician decided to start the conquest of Italian cities with the principalities of the Papal region. Some settlements, desiring to avoid plunder, surrendered voluntarily, while others commanded a siege. For 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 performed the most “sensitive” orders of the military commander.
Successful conquests had to be stopped due to the unexpectedly serious illness of the father and son of Borgia.
Personal life
Not a single portrait of a brilliant commander has been preserved, and his appearance can be judged only by descriptions of his contemporaries. It is believed that he was a handsome man with a good appearance. There is no definite opinion regarding its nature. Some call the papal son honest and noble, others - cunning and insidious.
Full of rumors and personal politics. 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 became a nun.
Cesare was bound only once. The father himself chose the chosen one to his son. She was Princess Charlotte in 1499. Political marriage with a noble Frenchwoman did not last long. Almost immediately, Cesare returned to his homeland and the couple never met. After the separation, their daughter Louise was born.
