The Borgias Celebrated Crimes

"The Borgias" by Alexandre Dumas is a historical examination that focuses on the infamous Borgia family during a tumultuous period in Italy in the late 1400s and early 1500s. The narrative brings to life the complex figures of Lorenzo de' Medici, a powerful leader, and Roderigo Borgia, who ascends to become Pope Alexander VI, along with his children, Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia, all caught in webs of scandal and political intrigue. The book starts with Lorenzo de' Medici's final moments, where he struggles with his conscience as the strict monk Savonarola approaches, ready to offer forgiveness but with severe demands concerning his leadership and Florence's future. The story then moves to Rome's political scene after Pope Innocent VIII's death, highlighting the scramble for power during the papal election and exposing Roderigo Borgia's scheme to claim the papacy, setting the stage for the Borgia family's ascent to power amidst political unrest and their relentless pursuit of ambition.