Borgia

: 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

: Initially a cardinal, Cesare resigned to become a military commander, attempting to carve out a private kingdom in Italy. Borgia

: His later years were marked by disfigurement from syphilis, forcing him to wear a leather mask. The Enigma: Lucrezia Borgia A Rose for Rodrigo Borgia (guest post) - Ex Urbe : Despite his dark reputation, his papacy funded

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

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