In popular culture, the Renaissance papacy (c. 1417-1534) seems an intriguing mixture of highs and lows.
Prophetic Statebuilding: Machiavelli and the Passion of the Duke
April 12, 2014 By
My interpretation of Machiavelli’s use of Borgia highlights the biblical resonances of Machiavelli’s account of the rise and fall of this exemplary new prince—a prince whom both his subjects and the Florentine himself call by the exalted title “Duke Valentino.”
BOOKS: The Feuding Families of Medieval and Renaissance Italy
March 15, 2014 By
Put down the Godfather, turn off the Sorpanos, and check out the real Italian families of Medieval and Renaissance Italy!
The Borgias get axed – show cancelled after three seasons
June 11, 2013 By
After three seasons, the TV series focusing on the nefarious Pope Alexander VI and his wild family is being cancelled. The final episode, The Prince, will air this Sunday on Showtime in the US and Bravo in Canada.
The Borgias – Review of Season 3 Episode 6: Relics
May 20, 2013 By
Michelotto reunites Giovanni with Lucrezia, Plague ridden rags are sealed in a box and sent to Rome, Rodrigo negotiates with the Jews, and Cesare builds a bastard army all on this week’s episode of The Borgias.
The Borgias – Review of Season 3 Episode 5 The Wolf and the Lamb
May 13, 2013 By
On this week’s episode of The Borgias, Lucrezia tearfully gives up Giovanni to Rodrigo and Vanozza. Forces against the Borgias gather at Forli, Cesare makes friends with the French and Rodrigo invites new scandal into his bed.
The Borgias – Review of Season 3 Episode 4: The Banquet of Chestnuts
May 6, 2013 By
‘So the King of Naples is to watch me in bed for the good of the family…the act may be done in a night, but I will have blood for this’ ~ Lucrezia
The Borgias – Review of Season 3 Episode 3: Siblings
April 29, 2013 By
Negotiations, marriage, deadly plots and forbidden love are all par for the course this week. It seems nobody can have a normal day in the Borgia household.
The Borgias – Review of Season 3 Episode 2: The Purge
April 22, 2013 By
This week, Rodrigo has lost faith in everything, including God. He finally realizes he’s surrounded by a nest of vipers and his family is in danger.
The Borgias – Review of Season 3 Episode 1: The Face of Death
April 15, 2013 By
Plots thicken and intrigue is flying left and right at the Borgia family. It was a non-stop action episode that had you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It was definitely an excellent start to what’s looking to be an exciting season!
The Poisoned Image of the Borgias: A Look at the Public Image of Pope Alexander VI and His Children
February 18, 2013 By
Upon Rodrigo Borgia’s ascension to the papacy in 1492 and assumption of the name Alexander VI, the masses of Rome who watched his parade and celebration with hopeful eyes welcomed him eagerly, despite his wild ways and indiscretions as a cardinal.
The Borgias – Review – SE02 EP10 – The Confession
June 18, 2012 By
‘With my last strength I damn this unholy Pope!’ ~ Savonarola
The Borgias – Review SE02 EP09 – World of Wonders
June 12, 2012 By
On this week’s second to last episode of The Borgias, Lucrezia loses both her suitors, Juan falls deeper into opium addiction while the three amigos, Machiavelli, Cesare and Micheletto bring Savonarola to justice in Rome.
The Borgias – Review SE02 EP08 – Truth and Lies
June 5, 2012 By
As we inch closer to the end of the season, things heat up between the Borgia brothers once more in this episode entitled, ‘Truth and Lies’ , which centres around Juan’s ‘version’ of the truth at Forli.
The Borgias – Review of Season 2 Episode 7 – The Siege of Forli
May 21, 2012 By
Another action packed week of the Borgias begins with Juan’s ‘triumphant’ return to Rome.
The Borgias – Review of SE02 EP06 “Day of Ashes”
May 14, 2012 By
‘Trust me, my name is Borgia’ ~ Cesare Borgia
The Borgias – Review SE02 EP05 “The Choice”
May 8, 2012 By
Review of ‘The Choice’, Episode 5 of Season 2 of The Borgias
The Borgias: Review SE02 EP04 – Stray Dogs
May 1, 2012 By
Review of ‘Stray Dogs’, episode 4 of Season 2 of The Borgias
The Borgias – Review of SE02 EP03: The Beautiful Deception
April 24, 2012 By
This week, on The Borgias, Lucrezia grows up and takes vengeance on Juan for his involvement in Paolo’s murder.
The Borgias – Review SE02 EP02: Paolo
April 22, 2012 By
Review of Season 2, Episode 2: Paolo from The Borgias
The Borgias – Review of ‘The Borgia Bull’ – SE02 EP01
April 10, 2012 By
‘Vengeance shall be ours! We are family, we are ONE! We will only triumph as one!’ ~ Rodrigo Borgia
The Borgias return for a second season
April 8, 2012 By
Billed as the ‘world’s first crime family’ the Borgias second season begins airing tonight on Showtime in the United States and Bravo in Canada.
Lucrezia Borgia – A New Assessment
September 19, 2011 By
Lucrezia Borgia – A New Assessment By Callum Scott-Doyle CLIO Journal of Ancient and Medieval History at Dickson College, Issue 2007 Introduction: The Borgia family, in particular, Rodrigo, Cesare and Lucrezia, have acquired a reputation as one of the most evil families in history. In popular history, Rodrigo (also known as Pope Alexander IV,) is […]
An Introduction to Olympia Morata, a Forgotten, Feminist Voice from Sixteenth Century Italy
September 8, 2011 By
An Introduction to Olympia Morata, a Forgotten, Feminist Voice from Sixteenth Century Italy Webb, Val (Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN) Sea Changes, Vol.1 (2001) Abstract I met Olympia Morata in the British Library while searching for women lost from history. My search word ‘heroine’ uncovered an 1864 inspirational collection Heroines of the Household. Olympia was the […]
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