Borgia

Borjia was an influential Spanish-Italian family during the Renaissance. Callixtus III was a pope. His nephew Alexander VI was also a pope, known for his corruption and secularity. Alexander's illegitimate children included Cesare Borgia, a political leader described by Machiavelli in The Prince. Lucrezia Borgia married the duke of Ferrara and was a patron of learning and art. Borgias reportely poisoned many people to gain political advantage and wealth. They were referred to as the first criminal family. However, a later member of this family, Francis Borgia was canonized as a saint.

Related Topics:
Callixtus III - Pope - Alexander VI - Cesare Borgia - Machiavelli - The Prince - Lucrezia Borgia - Criminal family - Francis Borgia - Saint

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although the Borgia family is closely associated with the Italian Renaissance, the family name is of Spanish origin; the family used the Valencian language among themselves, for privacy, even in Italy. There is a town in Spain called Borja which is the seat of the Campo de Borja comarca, in the province of Zaragoza in Aragon.

Related Topics:
Italian Renaissance - Valencian language - Seat - Zaragoza - Aragon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alexander VI created for Cesare Borgia the title duke of Gandía.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The following members of the Borgia or Borja family have individual entries:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Pope Callixtus III (b. "Alphonso de Borgia")
• Pope Alexander VI (b. "Rodrigo Borgia")
• Giovanni Borgia, the Infans Romanus
• Cesare Borgia, made archbishop of Valencia and duke of Borgia, in Aragon
• Lucrezia Borgia
• Saint Francis Borgia