ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions The Gangster Pope | Real Inspiration For The Godfather
Long before the fictional Don Corleone, there was a real-life figure who could be considered the original godfather: Pope Alexander VI. His story, along with his notorious family, the Borgias, inspired Mario Puzo to write “The Godfather.” Let’s dive into the fascinating history of this infamous family and see how they made their mark on history.
The Borgia family’s journey to power began with Alphonse de Borgia, who became Pope Calixtus III. Although Alphonse wasn’t as infamous as his descendants, he did use his position to elevate his family, a common practice in the Catholic Church at the time. He appointed his nephews, Rodrigo and Pedro, as cardinals, which was a significant move since cardinals are just below the Pope in the Church hierarchy.
After Alphonse’s death, Rodrigo Borgia aligned himself with the new Pope, Pius II, to secure his influence. Despite his religious role, Rodrigo focused on amassing wealth and power. Eventually, he used his resources to bribe his way to becoming Pope Alexander VI. Once in power, he appointed many of his relatives to high-ranking positions, including his 18-year-old son, Cesare.
Rodrigo, as Pope, openly acknowledged his children, a rare move at the time. His most famous mistress was Vannozza de Cattanei, with whom he had four children. His son, Cesare, quickly gained a reputation for ruthlessness, overshadowing his brother Juan, who was initially favored by their father. After Juan’s mysterious murder, Cesare took over his brother’s power and wealth.
Cesare Borgia was the first cardinal to resign his position to pursue a secular life, where he could fully engage in his ambitions. As a military leader, he expanded the Papal States’ territory, often using brutal tactics. The Borgia family faced many enemies, including powerful Italian families like the Medicis and the Sforzas, as well as the kingdoms of France and Naples.
Pope Alexander VI used his daughter Lucrezia as a political tool, marrying her off to secure alliances. Her first marriage to Giovanni Sforza ended in annulment when he failed to be a useful ally. Rumors of a love child and the mysterious deaths of those involved added to the family’s notoriety.
Lucrezia’s second marriage to Alfonso of Aragon ended in his murder, likely orchestrated by Cesare. Her third marriage was more successful, but she was known for her own deadly tactics, allegedly using poison against her enemies.
After Pope Alexander VI’s death, the Borgia family’s influence waned. Lucrezia managed to outlive the family’s infamy, but Cesare struggled to maintain their power. The Borgias’ story is a testament to their ambitious and often ruthless pursuit of power, making them a legendary Renaissance family.
Would you rather face the real-life Borgias or the fictional Corleones? Let us know your thoughts!
Choose a member of the Borgia family or another historical figure from the Renaissance period. Conduct thorough research on their life, contributions, and controversies. Prepare a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting how their actions influenced their era and any parallels to modern times.
Participate in a class debate on the ethical implications of the Borgia family’s actions. Consider questions such as: Is it justifiable to use power and influence for personal gain? What are the moral responsibilities of leaders? Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a respectful discussion with your peers.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a Borgia family member. Imagine their daily life, ambitions, and challenges. Use historical facts to ground your narrative, but feel free to explore their personal thoughts and emotions creatively.
Engage in a role-playing game where you assume the roles of different members of the Borgia family and their contemporaries. Navigate political alliances, betrayals, and power struggles. This activity will help you understand the complexities of Renaissance politics and the personal dynamics within the Borgia family.
Watch a documentary about the Borgia family or the Renaissance period. After the screening, participate in a class discussion to analyze the documentary’s portrayal of historical events and figures. Discuss how media representations can shape our understanding of history.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Okay, 500 years before Don Corleone, there was Pope Alexander VI. You might be scratching your head as to how an old guy with a red hat could be dubbed the original godfather, but allow us to introduce you. Today on Nutty History, we’re covering the family that inspired Mario Puzo to write “The Godfather,” and believe us when we say that this crew makes the modern-day mafia look pious.
Before we head to Italy, be sure to subscribe to our channel for all things wacky and weird in history.
The Borgia family’s rise to prominence began with Alphonse de Borgia, or Pope Calixtus III. While Alphonse didn’t garner quite as corrupt a reputation as his descendants, he did use his papacy to give positions of power to his own family members. A little nepotism in those days was commonplace, especially in the Catholic Church. However, Alphonse’s decision to make two of his nephews, Rodrigo and Pedro, cardinals in their mid-20s sent shockwaves through the Vatican. Cardinals are the next most powerful position in the Church right after the Pope; they elect the next Pope.
After the death of Alphonse, Rodrigo had to secure his power by aligning himself with the new Pope, Pius II. After that, he set about making money moves. Despite his holy appointment, Rodrigo started accumulating castles, land, and any other financial assets he could get his hands on. Three popes later, Rodrigo had accumulated enough allies and money—mostly money—to bribe his way to the papal throne. He made the cardinals offers they couldn’t refuse. Rodrigo was now His Holiness Alexander VI. He wasted no time doling out high-ranking positions of power and wealth to his closest friends and family.
For the College of Cardinals, specifically, Rodrigo appointed no less than 10 of his relatives, most notably his 18-year-old son, Cesare. Wait, hold up—Popes can have kids? Well, this one did. Back in the day, even though it was frowned upon for Popes to be publicly involved, many had suspected mistresses and had fathered children. As Pope, Rodrigo didn’t really care what the critics had to say; he was the head of the Church, after all. He took the step of publicly acknowledging his children, making him the first Pope to do so.
Rodrigo was thought to have had many mistresses, but the most well-known was Vannozza de Cattanei, with whom he had four children, and Giulia Farnese, who was his mistress for most of his papacy until she fell out of favor due to her age.
Despite the blossoming religious career that his father bought him, Cardinal Cesare quickly picked up a reputation as the most ruthless member of the Borgia clan. His older brother, Juan, was thought to be the Pope’s favorite son. Juan was made a duke and commanded the papal army. However, much like Michael Corleone’s rise to power, Cesare became his father’s number two. At just 20 years old, Juan Borgia was found murdered, and many fingers pointed to Cesare as the culprit since he was known for dealing with problems in a deadly manner.
After his brother’s death, Cesare conveniently picked up the power and wealth that had been allocated to Juan. He abandoned his position as cardinal—the first person in the history of the Church to do so—to live a secular life where he could really get his hands dirty. As the new military commander, Cesare was tasked with pacifying the Papal States. In three years, he conquered more Italian land than ever before, and it was a good day to be a Borgia, even if it meant eliminating a few former friends along the way.
You don’t get to be Pope without making a few enemies along the way, and the Borgias had more than their fair share. Other powerful families of Italy at the time included the Medicis, the Sforzas, and the Orsinis, who resented the Spanish family taking power. The Pope also had to contend with the warring kingdoms of France and Naples. Rodrigo’s solution for all these feuds was to essentially flip-flop and backstab based on whoever suited his needs better at the time. He also used these disputes as a distraction while making his own power plays with his trusty son, Cesare.
Meanwhile, Pope Alexander used his daughter Lucrezia, who was said to be a great beauty, as a pawn to secure his power among Italy’s elite. He first married her at 12 years old to Giovanni Sforza. However, Lucrezia’s husband didn’t prove to be the political ally the Pope had hoped for. Rumor has it that Cesare tried to assassinate his brother-in-law, but the plot failed.
After fleeing to Rome, Giovanni was strong-armed into an annulment. The Pope had more important political figures to marry his daughter to, so he essentially forced Giovanni into stating that he was impotent and that the marriage had never been consummated, thus declaring the sham marriage invalid.
Rumor also has it that around this time, Lucrezia gave birth to a love child. There were many suspected fathers, but most suspicion landed on one of the Pope’s chamberlains, Pedro Calderón. Interestingly, a short while later, the bodies of Pedro and a maid showed up floating in the Tiber. Much like the modern-day mafia, it seems like the Borgias were not a fan of loose ends.
For marriage number two, Lucrezia wed Alfonso of Aragon, the illegitimate son of the King of Naples. Unfortunately for Alfonso, alliances shifted quickly, and he was murdered—probably by Cesare—as the Borgias decided they were actually team France. Lucrezia’s third and final arranged marriage was the longest and most successful, although she did carry on a lengthy affair with her brother-in-law. Not one to leave all the fun to her father and brother, Lucrezia was known to be fatal to her enemies as well. It was said that poison was her weapon of choice, so much so that she kept it inside a ring she wore for easy access.
After Pope Alexander VI passed away, the Borgia family remained legendary but fell from grace. While Lucrezia lived the longest and even managed to outgrow the ill repute of her family, without their father in charge, Cesare couldn’t hold on to their domain. Maybe if he hadn’t been so quick to abandon his cardinal’s hat, the Borgia story would have ended differently. Still, their often deadly schemes and hostile takeover of Italy made the Borgias a Renaissance mob that went down in history for better or worse.
Before we say goodbye, let us know in the comments if you’d rather take on this not-so-holy family or the fictional Corleones they inspired.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any inappropriate language or references.
Gangster – A member of an organized group of criminals, often involved in illegal activities such as bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering. – In the novel, the protagonist’s father was a notorious gangster during the Prohibition era, which greatly influenced his son’s perception of morality.
Pope – The bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, often playing a significant role in historical events and politics. – During the Renaissance, the pope wielded considerable influence over European politics and was a patron of the arts.
Borgia – A powerful Italian family during the Renaissance, known for their political ambition, wealth, and alleged involvement in various crimes. – The Borgia family’s legacy is often associated with intrigue and corruption, as depicted in numerous historical novels and dramas.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often focusing on the analysis of cause and effect. – Understanding history is crucial for analyzing the patterns of human behavior and the rise and fall of civilizations.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, often reflecting cultural and historical contexts. – The literature of the Renaissance period reflects the era’s fascination with humanism and classical antiquity.
Power – The ability or capacity to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events, often a central theme in historical and literary narratives. – Shakespeare’s plays frequently explore the dynamics of power and its impact on human relationships and society.
Family – A group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or a common purpose, often serving as a central theme in historical and literary contexts. – The concept of family loyalty is a recurring theme in many historical dramas, highlighting the tension between personal desires and familial duties.
Ruthlessness – The quality of having no pity or compassion for others, often associated with the pursuit of power and success in historical contexts. – The ruthlessness of certain historical figures is often depicted in literature as a driving force behind their rise to power.
Politics – The activities associated with governance, policy-making, and the exercise of power, often a central theme in historical and literary works. – The politics of the Roman Empire have been extensively studied to understand the complexities of ancient governance and imperial expansion.
Renaissance – A period of cultural, artistic, and intellectual revival in Europe, spanning the 14th to the 17th century, marked by a renewed interest in classical learning and values. – The Renaissance was a time of great artistic achievement, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo leaving a lasting legacy.
