The Borgias — Season 1
The sudden death of Pope Innocent VIII throws Rome into turmoil, triggering a fierce battle for power. In a shocking turn, Rodrigo Borgia emerges victorious, securing the papacy as Alexander VI – but not through honest means. He orchestrates his ascent by strategically buying the votes of key cardinals during the conclave. Once in office, Alexander swiftly consolidates his control, appointing thirteen new cardinals, among them his own ambitious son, Cesare. Determined to secure his position, he attempts a delicate alliance with Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, one of the men who previously vied for the papacy. However, this fragile partnership crumbles as Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere – destined to become Pope Julius II – forms a dangerous counter-alliance with the King of France, setting the stage for a potential invasion of Italy and escalating tensions across the peninsula.
Through a calculated series of bribes and threats, Rodrigo secured his ascent to the papacy, becoming Pope Alexander VI and thus the head of the Catholic Church. His elevation was met with resistance from powerful Cardinals Della Rovere and…
The new Pope swiftly moved to secure his authority and manage dissent within the College of Cardinals by promoting his own kin to positions of influence. He appointed Juan as commander of the papal armies and Cesare as a cardinal, designati…
Having spent a great deal to ascend to power, Rodrigo now seeks resources. He intends to secure them through a advantageous marriage for Lucrezia, one that will forge an alliance with Milan. He also levies a charge for safe passage within t…
Lucrezia’s marriage to the Milanese nobleman Giovanni Sforza, a union driven by both financial necessity and political ambition, descends into chaos. Juan’s indelicate entertainment in her honor, Cesare’s blatant pursuit of a married barone…
Lucrezia endured the neglect and cruelty of her husband, finding solace in an affair with Paolo, a handsome stable boy. Meanwhile, Cesare forged an agreement with Machiavelli: he would block French troops from traversing his lands in return…
Upon arriving in France, Della Rovere secures an agreement with its sovereign: an invasion of Italy in exchange for the placement of the ruler upon the Papal throne, and control of Naples. Rodrigo endeavors to obstruct this campaign through…
King Charles of France and the House of Della Rovere advance toward victory. The French have seized Lucca, and Italian states are flocking to their cause. Giovanni Sforza, Lucrezia's husband, prepares to join them, representing Milan. Meanw…
As the invaders advanced toward Rome, they seized the fleeing Lucrezia, who was with child. Yet, her grace captivated King Charles, and she managed to persuade her brother Juan to withdraw his forces, hopelessly outmatched in the face of th…
Even his most loyal courtiers deserted Alexander, yet he approached King Charles with a quiet humility that ultimately secured the throne. He even managed to draw a confession from the conqueror as he crowned him "King of France and Naples.…
