The Borgias

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Authors: G.J. Meyer

BOOK: The Borgias
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Copyright © 2013 by G. J. Meyer

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Bantam Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

BANTAM BOOKS and the rooster colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Meyer, G. J.
The Borgias: the hidden history / G.J. Meyer.
pages  cm
Includes bibliographical references.
eISBN: 978-0-345-52693-9
1. Borgia family.  2. Nobility—Italy—Biography.  3. Renaissance—Italy.  4. Italy—History—15th century.  5. Italy—History—1492–1559.  I. Title.
DG463.8.B7M49 2013
945′.060922—dc23
 [B]
2012037777

www.bantamdell.com

Jacket design by Susan Zucker
Jacket image © Margie Hurwich / Archangel

v3.1

Contents

Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Family Trees
Timeline
The Borgia Problem: An Introduction
Prologue: One Whom All Did Fear

PART ONE
:
Alonso
From Out of Nowhere

Chapter 1: A Most Improbable Pope
Background: The Road to Rome
Chapter 2: Surprises, Disappointments, Hope
Background: Il Regno—
The Kingdom
Chapter 3: Pope and King, Friends No More
Background: Amazing Italy
Chapter 4: Family Matters
Background: The Men in the Red Hats
Chapter 5: The End of the Beginning

PART TWO
:
Rodrigo
A Long Apprenticeship

Chapter 6: Surviving
Background: The Eternal City, Eternally Reborn
Chapter 7: Pius II: Troubles Rumored and Real
Background: Il Papa
Chapter 8: Paul II: The Poisoned Chalice
Background: The Inextinguishable Evil-Heads
Chapter 9: Sixtus IV: Disturbing the Peace
Background: War, Italian Style
Chapter 10: Innocent VIII: Plumbing the Depths

PART THREE
:
Alexander
Pope at Last

Chapter 11: The Best Man for the Job
Background: Madness and Milan
Chapter 12: The Coming of the French
Background: Florence: An Anti-Renaissance
Chapter 13: The French Depart
Background: The Paternity Question: An “Apology”
Chapter 14: A Shattering Loss
Background: The Young Ones
Chapter 15: Valentino

PART FOUR
:
Cesare
Caesar or Nothing

Chapter 16: The Landscape Changes
Background: Venice, Serene No More
Chapter 17: Conqueror
Background: The Angel’s Castle
Chapter 18: “Longing for Greatness and Renown”
Background: The Newest Profession
Chapter 19: Settling Scores
Background: The Great Discoveries
Chapter 20: Man of Destiny
Background: Superstitions: Another Side of the Renaissance
Chapter 21: Alone
Aftermath
Examining Old Assumptions
Dedication
Notes
Bibliography
Other Books by This Author
Maps
About the Author
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