| Rodrigo Borgia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Biographical information | |
| Born |
1 January 1431 |
| Died |
18 August 1503 |
| Time period |
Italian Renaissance |
| Political information | |
| Affiliations |
House of Borgia |
| Actor | |
Rodrigo Borgia better known as Pope Alexander VI is the pope and father to four children: Cesare Borgia, Juan Borgia, Joffre Borgia, and Lucrezia Borgia . He had two mistresses Vanozza Dei Cattenei and Giulia Farnese.
Appearance[]
He is described as a devote Catholic, but he is not the perfect Catholic cardinal, let alone the perfect choice for the position of Holy Father. On the surface, he is seen to be deeply religious, but in secrecy he maintains his four children, his former mistress who is also the mother of the children and a new mistress while being Pope.
Personality[]
As a pious Cardinal of the Holy Catholic Church, Rodrigo is not without sin. As seen in the first episode, he is willing to stoop to any level in order to win the required majority of the Cardinals in Conclave to become the new Holy Father. This includes stripping the monastries and churches under Borgia rule of wealth to bribe the Cardinals for their votes and offering the position of Vice Chancellor to Ascanio Sforza in exchange for his vote. While as Pope Alexander VI he seems very popular with the masses, some in the church - such as Giuliano della Rovere, the King of Naples, Girolamo Savonarola, members of the Sforza family and the King of France - despise him unless he is able to manipulate or bargain with them.
Relationships[]
At times Rodrigo maintained a semblance of normal family life. He could be one minute praising his children and the next become violently angry. Of his four children, he is most devoted to his daughter Lucrezia and youngest son Joffre. With his childrens' mother, Vanozza Dei Cattenei, he maintained a mutually passionate relationship. Upon his elevation to the Papacy that started to diminish, relegating her to a very secluded existence. During this time he takes a new mistress, Giulia "Giulia la Bella" Farnese. Initially clandestine, as Rodrigo becomes more powerful he brings his fondness for Giulia to the Papal Court.