THE FULL STORY BEHIND THE BORGIAS, NOW A MAJOR TV DRAMA STARRING JEREMY IRONS 'Either Caesar or nothing' was the motto of Cesare Borgia, whose name has long been synonymous with evil. Almost five centuries have passed since his death, yet his reputation still casts a sinister shadow. He stands accused of treachery, cruelty, rape, incest and, especially, murder - assassination by poison, the deadly white powder concealed in the jewelled ring, or by the midnight band of bravos lurking in the alleys of Renaissance Rome. This classic book by acclaimed historian and biographer Sarah Bradford (author of Lucrezia Borgia and Diana), is the drama of a man of exceptional gifts and a driving lust for power. Cesare Borgia dared fortune for the highest goals and when fate turned against him he fell like Lucifer. Set against the brilliant backcloth of High Renaissance Italy, his life had the perfect proportions of a Greek tragedy.

Rafael Sabatini presents a detailed biography of Cesare Borgia, one of the most intriguing figures of the Italian Renaissance. This book delves into Borgia's life, his ambitions, and the political landscape of Italy during his time. Sabatini's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring to life the complexities and intrigues of Renaissance Italy.

The Life of Cesare Borgia is a biographical account of Italian politician and mercenary leader whose fight for power was a major inspiration for The Prince by Machiavelli. Cesare Borgia was an illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI and member of the Spanish-Aragonese House of Borgia, which rose to prominence during the Italian Renaissance. After initially entering the church and becoming a cardinal on his father's election to the Papacy, he became, after the death of his brother in 1498, the first person to resign a cardinalate. He served as a condottiero for the King of France Louis XII around 1500 and occupied Milan and Naples during the Italian Wars. At the same time he carved out a state for himself in Central Italy, but after his father's death he was unable to retain power for long. The author's goal was to, through the thorough research, present a faithful biography of Cesare Borgia leaving aside the bad reputation he and his family had. He used numerous primary sources to scrape away centuries of innuendo, hypotheses and reiterated falsehoods that have varnished the Borgias. The author criticizes much of the previous historical work that shines a dark light on the life of the 16th century Borgias. He goes to great lengths to provide proof for his history and dispels the myths and bad name the Borgias have had at the hands of historians over the centuries.

This myth-busting biography reveals the fascinating true lives of Renaissance Italy’s most infamous brother and sister. Salacious rumors have shrouded the Borgia family for centuries. In particular, tales of murder and incest have stuck to the names of Cesare and Lucrezia. But in this enlightening biography, Samantha Morris separates fact from fiction, presenting these two fascinating individuals from their early lives, through their years at the Vatican and their untimely deaths. Morris begins her narrative in the bustling metropolis of Rome, where the siblings were caught up in the dynastic plans of their father, Pope Alexander VI. Though they were not the villains depicted in popular media, their intertwined lives were full of ambition, intrigue, and danger. Drawing on both primary and secondary sources, Morris follows Cesare through his cardinalship and military career, and Lucrezia through her multiple arranged marriages and her rule over Spoleto.

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The preface contains a defense of Cesare Borgia.

Sabatini Finds Justice For Cesare Borgia! Cesare Borgia, former cardinal, Duke of Valentinois and Romanga, tyrant and warlord, has been a figure of awe and scorn for generations. The romance of Borgia’s tumultuous life has been the topic of romances, tragedies, operas, and films, television shows. Friend and patron to Leonardo da Vinci, his rise and fall inspired Machiavelli to write The Prince and Friedrich Nietzsche to write Beyond Good And Evil. Among those inspired by this prince of Italy was famed author Rafael Sabatini (Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk). In Borgia, Sabatini finds a real-life version of his fictional heroes—a brilliant man betrayed and wronged. Only this time, the man is not just wronged by his friends and foes. He is wronged by all of history. Compelled to explore this fascinating historical figure’s true nature, Sabatini wrote a biography and a play. But his best work is in his favourite writing style: historical fiction. With characteristic Sabatini flair, the master of the genre brings Borgia life as no one has before. Drawn to the passion, suspicion, betrayal, and ambition of Borgia’s brief but exciting life, Sabatini presents seven short stories set during the Italian Renaissance: The Honour Of Varano, The Test, Ferrante's Jest, Gisimondi's Wage, The Snare, The Lust Of Conquest, and The Pasquinade. These stories are collected in the volume Sabatini entitled The Justice Of The Duke.