Cunning Facts About The Borgias, Italy's Most Scandalous Family
The name Borgia is synonymous in history with treachery, hedonism, and scandal. Along with the equally infamous Medicis, they were one of the most powerful families in Renaissance Italy. From lusty popes to poison plots, the members of House Borgia made Game of Thrones look like child's play.
Watch your back to these cunning facts about the Borgias.
The Borgias Facts
1. A Man of God
The conniving Borgias we think of today are the tight-knit brood of Rodrigo Borgia and his chief mistress, the beautiful Vannozza dei Cattanei. Also, while this whole "chief mistress" thing might be scandalous enough, it gets worse. Rodrigo was actually the Pope, and he was supposed to be devoting his life to God, not busty bedroom romps.
2. We Take Care of Our Own
It's worth noting that at this time in Italy, religious leaders were the most powerful people. They had the ability to bestow riches, grant incredible wishes, and brutally ruin people's lives whenever they wanted. For a time, the Borgias had an iron grip on this power. Not only was Rodrgio named Pope Alexander VI, his own uncle had been Pope before him.
3. I'm Not a Regular Pope, I'm a Cool Pope
Rodrigo Borgia wasn't your mother's Pope, to say the least. He loved spending the Catholic Church's money on all manner of trinkets, luxuries, and spectacles, and Vannozza dei Cattanei was far from his only good time gal. Following his predecessors, Rodrigo also had no problem handing out high-ranking offices to his friends and family.
