Cesare Borgia, known as Valentinois, is born the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI (born Rodrigo Borgia) and Vannozza Cattanei. He later became a general, cardinal, nobleman, and politician. He is one of the most controversial figures of the Italian Renaissance. Destined from a young age for an ecclesiastical career by his father, he was made a cardinal by the latter, who had meanwhile become Pope. Following the death of his brother Giovanni, Duke of Gandia (likely assassinated by his brother Cesare Borgia), he returned to the lay state. Cesare Borgia thus also became the first person to resign from the office of cardinal. He initially sought to marry the daughter of the King of Naples, to continue the Pope’s pro-Aragonese policy, but later married the French aristocrat Charlotte d’Albret, obtaining the title of Duke of Valentinois. Through this marriage, Cesare and Alexander VI allied themselves with King Louis XII of France, who put an end to his claims on Italian territory. He led the French army to conquer the Duchy of Milan and, with the Pope’s support, began the reconquest of the Romagna territories, defeating various local lords, including the famous Caterina Sforza, later receiving the title of Duke of Romagna from his father. He subsequently invaded the Kingdom of Naples leading French troops. In 1502, having quickly achieved great political power, he successfully defended himself from the Magione conspiracy, deceiving the traitors and having them strangled in Senigallia. This vendetta deeply affected public opinion, so much so that Niccolò Machiavelli cited it in his work The Prince, a book written under the influence of Valentino.
