Borgia «RECOMMENDED • HOW-TO»

: Despite his dark reputation, his papacy funded major Renaissance works, including the start of the new St. Peter’s Basilica. The Power Player: Cesare Borgia

: His effective, often brutal tactics served as the primary inspiration for Niccolò Machiavelli’s political masterpiece, The Prince . Borgia

: Initially a cardinal, Cesare resigned to become a military commander, attempting to carve out a private kingdom in Italy. : Despite his dark reputation, his papacy funded

: He was the first pope to publicly acknowledge his illegitimate children, using them as pawns to expand the family’s power. : Despite his dark reputation

: Rodrigo ascended the throne in 1492 through cunning and suspected bribery, known as simony.