Pope Alexander VI - the second pope of the Spanish Borgia family since August 11, 1492 - is often considered the most cruel and unprincipled person who ever occupied the papal throne. Nevertheless, it was thanks to the Borgia that a number of priceless works appeared and significant events took place in world culture. Moreover, some of them have changed society so much that it is almost impossible to imagine the modern world without them.
He was the father of seven children, helped his son Cesare invade Italy, hounded his enemies and held orgies in the Vatican. His son and daughter were lovers. Because of this, his family (the famous Borgia) is considered a symbol of licentiousness and treachery.
1. "Sovereign" Machiavelli
Machiavelli's "Sovereign" - a primer for politicians
Machiavelli's Sovereign is one of the most famous political treatises ever written. Prominent politicians from Napoleon and Mussolini to Bill Clinton studied Machiavelli's ideas on how to run a state.
Interestingly, Machiavelli chose Cesare Borgia, the son of Alexander VI, who led the army of conquerors in northern Italy, as the model of the ruler. In the early 1500s, Machiavelli studied Cesare's activities and admired his tactics and political ideas. Since then, the history of the world has been shaped by the people who read this book.
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2. Mona Lisa
This mysterious smile …
The Mona Lisa is probably the most famous work of art in the world today. The desire to see this picture brought thousands of visitors to the Louvre. But few people know that this portrait would not have existed without the Borgia.
During the invasion of Italy by Cesare Borgia, Leonardo da Vinci worked for him as an architect and military engineer. Cesare issued a piece of paper to his protege instructing everyone to whom she was shown to obey da Vinci's demands. Cesare also sent da Vinci to the Apennines, an area that later became the backdrop for La Gioconda.
Da Vinci began painting in 1503 when he was in the service of Cesare. Although it took many years to complete Mona Lisa, this painting would never have been created without the creative freedom and inspiration that Borgia gave him.
3. Borgia Apartments
The works of da Vinci and Machiavelli were saved from destruction by Pope Julius II, who wanted to get rid of everything associated with Alexander VI. But these artists did not manage to finish their work before the end of the papacy of Alexander VI, and therefore retained their place in history textbooks.
Other artists like Pinturicchio were not so lucky. On the instructions of Pope Alexander VI, Pinturicchio decorated his apartments with real masterpieces. They were littered with fake jewelry and rife with extravagant religious imagery. These paintings have been hidden with black paint for nearly 400 years because they belonged to the Borgia. No one saw these works of art until 1889, when the Vatican finally reopened its archives.
4. The first painting depicting American Indians
Resurrection. Pinturicchio
Pinturicchio's Resurrection was the first painting to depict native Indians … Created in 1494, just two years after Columbus landed in the New World, it is probably the first representation of the New World by most Europeans. Columbus described people living in America in his journal, which he tried to keep a closely guarded secret. But the magazine ended up in the hands of the Pope. According to modern scholars, Pinturicchio's work clearly hints that he gained access to Columbus's personal journal and did his best to recreate what it described.
5. Spanish conquest of America
The Spanish conquest of America
The history of the world would be completely different if Spain had not colonized America. As the conquistadors conquered the open continent, entire nations were destroyed or assimilated by the Spanish Empire. Colonization of America would not have happened without Alexander VI. When Columbus returned to Spain in 1493, Pope Alexander VI rejected the demands of other nations and issued a papal bull, according to which the new world belonged to Spain.
In turn, the Spaniards said that all the indigenous people of the Americas must convert to Christianity or be enslaved. This law led to the disappearance of a huge number of indigenous people and the outflow of wealth from the New World. As a result, the decision of Alexander VI changed the geography and the balance of power around the world.
6. University of Aberdeen
From the walls of the University of Aberdeen, one of the best universities in the world, five Nobel laureates came out. None of them would have received an education without Alexander VI. In 1495, King James IV petitioned Alexander VI to issue a papal bull calling for the construction of an educational institution in Scotland. By doing this, Jacob hoped to improve the country's educational situation. Alexander VI agreed and the school opened its doors. Since then, it has grown so much that the original King's College is just one historic building in the middle of a large university town. But the university would never have come about without the influence of the Borgia.
7. Basilica of St. Peter
St. Peter's Basilica is considered one of the most revered Catholic shrines and one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture on Earth. The building is located on a site that is considered to be the tomb of St. Peter. The Roman emperor Constantine at first wanted to install the cathedral in another place, but thanks to the patronage of Alexander VI, they began to build it where it stands to this day.
Although the most famous architect of the cathedral is Michelangelo, St. Peter's Basilica was originally designed by Donato Bramante, a member of the Borgia entourage. Bramante had close ties with Alexander VI, who helped him build his career. Alexander VI convinced Bramante and Michelangelo to work together on St. Peter's Basilica, although it was never completed during Alexander's lifetime.
8. Modern depiction of Christ
Today, when people imagine Jesus Christ, they usually think of him as a man with fair skin, long, straight brown hair and a well-groomed beard, which clearly does not correspond to the usual appearance of a Middle Eastern Jew. It can be noted that this image is very similar to the portraits of Cesare Borgia of the Renaissance era. The similarity is so great that some people believe that images of Jesus Christ in modern churches may actually be images of Cesare. Given the Borgia's close ties to the art world, Cesare may well have been the model for Michelangelo's famous painting, considered a classic depiction of Christ.
9. "The Lady with the Unicorn"
"The Lady with the Unicorn". Raphael
Raphael has a mysterious painting that depicts a blonde holding a baby unicorn in her arms. For a long time, it was not known who this woman was. Now scientists believe that she is the daughter of Alexander VI's mistress and, in all likelihood, his illegitimate child.
Alexander VI was one of the main patrons of Raphael, so it is possible that he commissioned a painting of his daughter from the artist. However, when Julius II began to "rid the Vatican of any art associated with the Borgia", he commissioned Raphael for new works. This led to the creation of the famous "Raphael's Stanzas" - premises in the Papal Palace of the Vatican, painted with frescoes by the artist. These works are often considered to be his main masterpieces. Some even believe that Julius II's hatred of Alexander VI was fueled by Julius's desire to become a better known patron of art.
10. Modern European monarchy
Borgia in modern Europe
The Borgia did not really disappear. The family lives and lives to this day. Alexander VI's daughter, Lucretia, was the direct ancestor of a huge number of European leaders, including the current kings of Spain, Bulgaria, Belgium and Portugal. Major historical figures are direct descendants of the Borgia. For example, the English king Henry IV was the great-great-nephew of Cesare Borgia, that is, the Borgia blood subsequently flowed in most of the English monarchy.
Borgia descendants today are found in almost every royal family in Europe, which means that the Borgia legacy has not disappeared anywhere. Naturally, their names have changed, but this influential family was part of some of the most powerful dynasties throughout history, directly influencing the decisions that have shaped the modern world.