Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI, reconquered the territories of Romagna, defeating various local lords, including the famous Caterina Sforza, later receiving the title of Duke of Romagna from his father. He conquered Imola, Forlì, Pesaro, Faenza, Rimini, and Cesena, and in May 1501 he reached the walls of Florence, which capitulated, agreeing to pay Borgia 36,000 florins a year for his protection. In June of the following year, however, Cesare Borgia returned to Florence, besieging it again and threatening to sack it. The Florentines chose two negotiators: Francesco Solderini and the most capable young diplomat they had, Niccolò Macchiavelli. Somehow they reached an agreement, and Leonardo da Vinci (perhaps part of the deal) transferred to Cesare Borgia’s pay.
