Cesar, Lucrezia, and Giovanni Borgia, with their father Rodrigo Borgia.
House of Borgia The Borgia family rose to fame after two members of the family became popes. First, Alfons de Borgia, who was known as Pope Callixtus III and Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia, who was known as Pope Alexander VI. The family was accused of many crimes. Cesar was accused of murdering his brother Giovanni and Lucrezia's first husband. Cesar and Lucrezia were accused of incest. It is rumored that Lucrezia had a ring that she would poison people with. All members were also accused of adultery.
Sforza
The Sforza family is known as one of the most successful "dynast of condottieri." They had a strong military and ruled by force, hence the name, Sforza, meaning to exert force. They occupied what is now Milan in Italy, however Milan was taken from the Sforza's during the Italian War by Louis XII of France. This was also the war Leonardo da Vinci fought in.
Leonardo da Vinci
Da Vinci was a man of many talents. During his time he was best known as an inventor, painter, sculpture, architect, scientist, astronomer, engineer, writer and so much more. Nowadays he's know more for his paintings, for example the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He was also a military architect and engineer during the Second Italian War. He did not have many female friends except for three that are known of.
Beatrice d'Este
Beatrice was the Duchess of Bari and eventually became the Duchess of Milan. She is known historically to be one of the most successful and beautiful women during the Italian Renaissance. She had a huge impact on fashion during the time. Her brother, Alfonso d'Este later went on to marry Lucrezia Borgia interestingly enough.
I am so glad you wanted to do one of these Wikipedia adventures, Paulina! They are really fun I think. Do you watch the Borgias TV show? It is one of my guilty pleasures! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis assignment sounded like fun, I usually end up with a random trail of research anyways when I get on social media. I can start with a blog on face masks and the trail will somehow lead me to famous serial killers. And yes, I love the Borgias TV show, that's why I started my trail there!
DeleteThe House of Borgias and the Sforza family sound like intriguing subjects, especially the secrecy of its various members and inner darkness of a family who rose to prestige over such a sacred position as the Pope!
ReplyDeleteIt's also funny how you came full circle to that same family when you reached Beatrice d'Este and her subdued connections to Leonardo da Vinci and the Borgia family. It just goes to show that history is often unexpected and not just isolated significant events!