A Borgia Romagna

Let's say that Pope Pius III manages to survive longer (or isn't poisoned by Petrucci--depending on which version you subscribe to), perhaps managing to live into his early seventies and reigning ten years or so. During this time, we'll assume he remains largely under the control of Cesare Borgia, who keeps his papal offices and remains in possession of the newly carved out duchy of Romagna (along with Valentinois, Urbino and his other territories). Now, we'll also say that Cesare lives a bit longer in this scenario, as remaining in Italy will ensure that he is not killed while in exile, fighting in Navarre.

So, taking all this account, in this scenario, Cesare manages to secure his rule over Romagna, sire a son with his Albret wife, and lives to fifty or so, dying around 1526. Obviously the butterflies are going to be massive, and it will take a bit of luck on Cesare's part, but then, I'm inclined to agree with Machiavelli that as long as he has the support of the papacy, his own political and military skills will do the rest for him.

What are the effects of this? I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts here, as to my knowledge, the question has never been asked before...

Amitiés,
Endymion
 
Yes, this is certainly possible. Machiavelli's opinion on Cesare will be radically changed, as he claims in The Prince that the man was dependent on his father, which he was. However, if he managed to continue holding that much of Italy after Alexander's death, then Niccolo is granted to idolize him. He would most likely gift his "small book" to Cesare to aid him in Italian Unification instead of the Medicis. I could even see him living in Cesare's court during his florentine exile, as they were good friends IOTL. This will, of course, have several consequences on his future work.

Also, food for thought:

https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=221627
 
Cesare seems to have been incredibly skilled and frankly I think Machiavelli has it wrong. While his rise was in part due to his father his fall was mostly because of the hatred his father had inspired. People went after him simply because Alexander VI had made the name Borgia so widely hated and Cesare was the only one left to take out all that hatred on.
 
Cesare biggest problem for maintaining his domains was that he was seriously ill and almost dying when his father died and this of course affects much his next actions and his reaction times. If he was not ill he surely can control better the both the Cardinals council and his kingdom
 
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