Description:The Borgias, led by patriarch Rodrigo, are a family of outsiders from Spain who try to take over control of Renaissance-era Italy. Through the use of bribery, extortion and torture, Rodrigo rises up the ranks to become pope. Two of Rodrigo's children are used as pawns by being married off to members of rival families at a young age. Vanozza, Rodrigo's long-time mistress and mother of his children, and Giulia Farnese battle for the elder Borgia's affections. The story of the Borgias has inspired ... Read more such works as Machiavelli's political treatise "The Prince" and Mario Puzo's "The Godfather." Close
Cesare burns Constanzo's palace to contain the plague; Lucrezia seeks a Neapolitan power base for herself; one of the candidates for Ferdinand's replacement is accused of trying to kill the other.
Cesare lands in northern Italy; Catherina sends a plague-infested cloth to Alexander; Alexander taxes a newly arrived Jewish communtiy; Mattai gains... Full summary