"The Borgias" by Marion Johnson

Essay by Nicolas AlfonsoCollege, UndergraduateA, February 1997

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Johnson, Marion. The Borgias. New York: Holt, Rhinehart, and Winston, 1981.

The Borgias played a major role in the church of their time. The author tries to reveal that though fierce, the Borgias achieved much and showed some signs of moral values. Three of the Borgia family members achieved various things of significance in this time. Alfons Borja was the secretary of King Alfonso V of Aragon, and later received the rank of Pope. Cesare Borgia attacked towns who failed to see the supremacy of the Pope. Lucrezia Borgia was Cesare's sister and married three men to improve relations with certain families and the Pope.

Alfons Borja was the secretary of King Alfonso V for years and later in his lifetime was elected Pope. He was a notable diplomat and lawyer, and during negotiations he made quite an impression on King Alfonso V of Aragon. Such an impression that the king made him his personal secretary.

Some of his achievements as the kings advisor include Alfons helping the king receive Apulia and Naples, as well as the unification of the church through negotiations. For his services, the Pope named Alfons Bishop of Valencia. He then aided in King Alfonso becoming the King of Naples as well. For this service he was elevated to the Sacred College, and eleven years later reached the status of Pope. Alfons

attained his objectives by treachery and deceit in his diplomacy. In two days he became a bishop and a priest, and within years he reached the rank of Pope.

Cesare Borgia lead the assault on towns who didn't recognize the popes authority. He was accepted into the church at an early age, and rapidly reached the position of Cardinal. He gave up the church entirely to accept the rank of Duke. He took away...