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Cesare Borgia, also known as the Duke of Valentinois and the son of Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, is of course one of the great figures of 15th century Italy: Condottieri, lord, Cardinal, ruthless villain, greatest beneficiary of the Church's corruption and nepotism, Lord of Imola, Forli, Rimini, Faenza, Duke of Urbino in Italy and Valentinois in France, amongst other places.

Then he lost it all in 1503, when his father the Pope died and Borgia was forced to fend for himself, just at the height of his power, a position made all the worse by his disease at the time, which Macchiaveli blames for his inability to prevent the ascension of Julius II to the Papacy despite his control of the College of Cardinals and his downfall, despite the strenght of his state and his ability to threaten Bologna and then either the much hated Florence or Ferrara.

So, what if either Alexander VI lives a few more years, or Cesare Borgia is healthier and able to defend and expand his domains in Northern Italy before his enemies can rally against him? Would he be able to subdue Ferrara, Pisa, Mantua and Florence, and perhaps force an alliance with Venice?

Given his control/influence in the College of Cardinals, he could swing the vote away from Julius II in favor of a more amicable Cardinal, such as a Spanish Bishop or the Cardinal of Rouen...made all the more interesting by the presence of Borgia, French and Spanish troops at the gates of Rome in 1503, forcing the cardinals' conclave to take place at the fortress of St. Angelo...

One of these maps show the domains of Cesare Borgia before his downfall, I'm not sure which, if there's an expert, please tell me...



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