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Rodrigo Borgia

2013-05-17T23:55:16Z

24.184.48.238:

{{Era|AC2|ACB|PL|ACRE|Renaissance|Bbook|ACL|ASD|Templars|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL|Pope Alexander VI}}
{{Quote|He is Rodrigo Borgia, one of the most powerful men in all of Europe, and leader of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].|Mario Auditore to his nephew, Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Rodrigo Borgia
|image = ACB Rodrigo render.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1 January 1431 {{Wiki|Xàtiva}}, {{Wiki|Kingdom of Valencia}}, {{Wiki|Crown of Aragon}}, [[Spain]]
|death = 18 August 1503 (aged [[72]]) [[Rome]], {{Wiki|Papal States}}
|faction = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] [[Templars]] [[Papacy]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage|Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance|Renaissance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Brotherhood'' novel]] ''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''
|actor = [[Manuel Tadros]]
|voice = Manuel Tadros}}
'''Rodrigo Borgia''' (1431 – 1503), born '''Roderic Llançol''', later '''Roderic de Borja i Borja''', was a [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Cardinals|cardinal]] and the [[Grand Master]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]] in [[Europe]] during the Rennaissance from 1476 until his death. He was the father of [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]], [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]], and [[Jofré Borgia]], as well as grandfather to [[Giovanni Borgia]].

Rodrigo was [[Papacy|Pope]] from 1492 to 1503, and was known as '''Alexander VI'''. He was one of the most controversial Popes of the Renaissance, and his surname became synonymous for the corrupt standards of the Papacy in that era.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Roderic Llançol was born at {{Wiki|Xàtiva}} in the Kingdom of Valencia, one of the component states of the Crown of Aragon, present-day Spain. His parents were Jofré Llançol i Escrivá, and his wife and relative Isabel de Borja. His family name was written Llançol in Valencian and Lanzol in Spanish. After the elevation of Roderic's maternal uncle Alonso de Borja to the Papacy as {{Wiki|Pope Callixtus III|Callixtus III}} in 1455, Roderic was adopted into his mother's family name of Borja.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI">{{Wiki|Pope Alexander VI|''Wikipedia:'' Pope Alexander VI}}</ref>

===As a cardinal===
Rodrigo de Borgia studied law at Bologna, and was successively made bishop, cardinal, and vice-chancellor of the church, all of which were nepotistic appointments characteristic of the age. He served in the Roman Curia under five Popes (his uncle, Callixtus III, Pius II, Paul II, [[Sixtus IV]] and Innocent VIII) and acquired much administrative experience, influence, and wealth, though not great power.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI"/>

By the time Rodrigo was under Pope [[Sixtus IV]], he had become the Grand Master of the Templar Order in 1458. In this position, he aspired to unite all of [[Italy]] under the Templar banner. In order to achieve that goal, he made plans to take down the leaders of Italy's main cities, and place his own men in power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>

===Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza===
Rodrigo devised a plan to eliminate [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]], the Duke of Milan, in which [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], [[Carlo Visconti]] and [[Gerolamo Olgiati]] would kill Sforza on the day of Santo Stefano.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

One night in December of 1476, Rodrigo was on his way to leave [[Florence]] accompanied by several of his men. Suddenly, [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]], a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], intercepted him. Rodrigo fled immediately as the Assassin battled his men.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Hidden behind a corner, Rodrigo witnessed Giovanni capture one of his men, who later revealed the planned assassination of Galeazzo Sforza, a powerful ally of [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]. Giovanni attempted to prevent the assassination, though he arrived too late to do so. Rodrigo's plan had succeeded, and so he began to devise his next scheme.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

===Auditore execution===
Giovanni Auditore learned that Rodrigo's plans would lead him to the city of [[Venice]], after looting a Venetian ducat from Giovanni Lampugnani. Upon traveling there, he intercepted a message from [[Marco Barbarigo|Marco]] and [[Silvio Barbarigo]] to their master, Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:Tadros.jpg|thumb|250px|Rodrigo walking through Rome]]
After [[Uberto Alberti]] and [[Antonio Maffei]] "failed" to decode the intercepted letter, the [[House of Medici|Medici]] and Uberto sent Giovanni to carry a copied version of the message to [[Rome]], in order to discover who was behind the plot. Arriving in the city, Giovanni handed the message to a man, and followed the letter as it passed through several hands before meeting its final destination: Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Rodrigo then left to see Pope Sixtus IV, hoping to obtain military support in order to conquer Florence. After gaining Sixtus' favor, Rodrigo headed out of the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]], and into the streets of Rome once more.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Giovanni was still on Rodrigo's trail, and followed him all the way into the [[Basilica di San Pietro|St. Peter's Basilica]]. However, he fell into an ambush set by Rodrigo, who had known of the Assassin following him. Rodrigo tried to offer Giovanni a position among the Templars, but the Assassin refused, stating that Rodrigo would be dead before he could see the Templars' fantasy become reality.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Disappointed, Rodrigo had his men attack Giovanni, but the Assassin routed all of them. Rodrigo, who had been watching from the sidelines, threw a [[Throwing knives|knife]] at Giovanni, which hit him in the chest. Rodrigo then took the chance to flee the Basilica. Afterwards, he discussed the next step in his plan with his Templar brothers, and all agreed that they had to dispose of Giovanni Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:LMS 10 v.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo with Uberto Alberti at the Auditore execution]]
In order to get rid of Giovanni, Rodrigo conspired with Uberto Alberti and the [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi family]]. After careful planning, the Templars were able to frame Giovanni for the crimes of treason, and had him and two of his sons arrested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

The night before the trial of the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], Rodrigo was at Uberto's house. [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], Giovanni's remaining son, came by to give Uberto his father's letters that would prove him innocent. Ezio noticed Rodrigo behind Uberto, but paid no further attention to him. The following morning, Rodrigo attended the judgment and execution of Giovanni, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio Auditore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Pazzi Conspiracy===
{{Quote|Gentlemen. Tomorrow, a new sun rises over Firenze.|Rodrigo encouraging the Pazzi conspirators.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Novella's Secret 6.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo discussing the Pazzi conspiracy]]
In 1478, Rodrigo conspired to take down the leader of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. With this, Rodrigo left for [[San Gimignano]], where he held a meeting with [[Francesco de' Pazzi|Francesco]], [[Jacopo de' Pazzi|Jacopo]], and [[Vieri de' Pazzi]]. Rodrigo left the town just before the [[mercenaries]], led by [[Mario Auditore]] and his nephew Ezio, attacked. Their assault resulted in the death of Vieri de' Pazzi.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Not long after that, Rodrigo met with Francesco and Jacopo de'Pazzi, Antonio Maffei, [[Bernardo Baroncelli]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]] and [[Francesco Salviati]] in a catacomb under the Basilica of [[Santa Maria Novella]]. As the Pazzi conspirators confirmed their plan to Rodrigo, he reminded them to beware of the Assassins, and stated that the next day would be ''"a new dawn" ''for Florence<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Ezio thwarted the Templars' attempted takeover in Florence and killed off the remaining conspirators Rodrigo was arranged to meet with in San Gimignano, where the Pazzi originally intended to request asylum with Rodrigo in either Venice or Rome. Jacopo was the only one to arrive at the meeting and claimed that the blame for the failure rested with his nephew, for his impatience, and with [[Emilio Barbarigo]], for supplying the Pazzi troops with sub-standard weaponry. Enraged by Jacopo's sniveling excuses, Rodrigo lectured his subordinate on his failure, then stabbed him in the abdomen, aided by an eager Emilio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ignoring Jacopo's pleas for mercy, Rodrigo stabbed him a second time in the neck with his sword, then called out to Ezio who had tailed Jacopo to the meeting. Grabbed by Borgia guards, Ezio was brought into Rodrigo's sight. Sarcastically apologizing for killing Jacopo for him, Rodrigo mocked Ezio, saying that he had been doing this for far longer than the [[novice]] Assassin. He then ordered his men to kill him, and left without bothering to ensure the deed was done.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Venetian Conspiracy===
{{Quote|I feel the need to involve myself more directly. The Pazzi disappointed us in Firenze. I pray you will not do the same.|Rodrigo, about personally attending the meeting.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:BoF 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo on the [[Ponte di Rialto]] with the other Templars]]
Soon after the Florentine attempt failed, Rodrigo returned his attention to conducting his plans for Venice. In 1485, he met with [[Carlo Grimaldi]] and the [[House of Barbarigo|Barbarigo family]] to plan the murder of the current Doge, [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], in order for them to seize control of Venice. During the meeting, Rodrigo chastised the Venetian Templars for making their own plans, rebuking them for their ''"inane prattle"'' as they argued over who would be the new Doge after they took Venice. He then silenced their debates by appointing Marco Barbarigo as the next Doge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this meeting, Marco questioned Rodrigo's presence in Venice, as Ezio was also there, but Rodrigo only replied that he felt he should see out their plans personally, particularly after the failure of the Pazzi conspiracy. Warning the Venetian tyrants of the Assassin that haunted their city, he then made his departure from Venice to Rome, allowing them to carry out his plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Shipping the Apple of Eden===
{{Quote|You claim not to be a believer. And yet, here you are... Don't you see him? The Prophet is already here... I AM the Prophet. Now give me the Apple.|Rodrigo upon confronting Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Play along 2.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo in Venice]]
By 1486, Rodrigo had found out by his Templar comrade, [[Cem]], that the Piece of Eden he sought was [[Ezio's Apple of Eden|the Apple]], which was hidden on [[Cyprus]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Recollection">''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''</ref> so he sent a battalion of his men to retrieve it. Two years later, the men returned to [[Arsenale di Venezia|L'Arsenale]] with the artifact, and Rodrigo met with the courier who was to deliver it to him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, prior to this, Ezio had intercepted the delivery and had disguised himself as the carrier of the artifact, in order to find and kill Rodrigo. Rodrigo was not surprised, and readied himself to deal with Ezio personally. The two exchanged a brief conversation, in which Rodrigo claimed himself to be the Prophet, who was said to be the only one who could open the fabled [[Vatican Vault|Vault]]. The two then began an intense battle, in which Ezio ultimately emerged as the victor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Realizing that he could not defeat Ezio on his own, Rodrigo called in a supply of guards to overwhelm him. Suddenly, many of Ezio's allies appeared, all of whom revealed themselves to be Assassins. They held off the guards to allow Ezio to re-challenge Rodrigo, who then escaped from them before Ezio could kill him, leaving the Apple in the hands of the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

That same year, Rodrigo found out that the late [[Girolamo Riario]] had created a map marking where all the [[Codex]] pages could be found, thus he hired the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] to retrieve it from Riario's city of [[Forlì]]. The Orsi discovered that Riario's wife, [[Caterina Sforza]], also had the Apple, and so they laid [[Battle of Forlì|siege]] to the city and took the artifact by force, planning to present it to Rodrigo for an extra pay-off.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Unfortunately for Rodrigo, Ezio managed to kill both of the Orsi brothers, though the Apple eventually came into the hands of [[Girolamo Savonarola]], a later arch-enemy of Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Deceiving Torquemada===
{{Dialogue|Ezio|Rodrigo Borgia is an unbeliever like me, and yet you lavish him with favors.|Torquemada|Borgia is one of three Papal candidates this year. And he is as devoted to God as I am.|Ezio and Torquemada talking about Rodrigo.|Assassin's Creed II: Discovery}}
In 1491, Rodrigo fooled the Spanish Inquisitor General [[Tomás de Torquemada]] into capturing and killing Assassins in Spain. Tomás, who thought Rodrigo was as much as a believer of God as he was, blindly followed his orders.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>

At around this time, Rodrigo also found out about [[Christoffa Corombo]]'s plans to sail west; however he, knowing of the presence of the [[United States|Americas]] and the treasures that lay there, wished to stop anyone from finding it before he could. For this, Rodrigo arranged a meeting with Christoffa in Venice, and laid a trap for him there.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

However, Christoffa's friend, [[Luis de Santángel]], was suspicious of the arrangement, and called for the aid of his fellow Assassin, Ezio. Ezio rushed to Christoffa's aid, successfully rescuing him from an assassin and thwarted Rodrigo's plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

===Papal rule===
{{Quote|The Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, has been elected Pope. He rules the Vatican and Rome as the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander VI! [...] The rumour is that Rodrigo simply bought most of the votes. Even [[Ascanio Sforza]], who was the most likely candidate standing against him, voted for him!|[[Sister Teodora]] talking about Rodrigo becoming Pope.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
Rodrigo was elected Pope in 1492, and established his power in Rome. Rodrigo's true intent, however, was simply to get into the Vault that lay under the Vatican, where he believed God rested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1494, with the death of Lorenzo de' Medici, and with the power of the Apple he had obtained, Savonarola [[Bonfire of the Vanities|took control]] over Florence. Rodrigo repeatedly sent his men to Florence in the hopes of acquiring the Apple, though all of his attempts failed. In 1498, Savonarola was assassinated by Ezio, causing the Borgia family to fall into a state of chaos upon losing track of the Apple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>
[[File:IBAL 4.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo in the Vatican]]
In 1499, Rodrigo was followed into the Vatican by Ezio for yet another assassination attempt. Ezio infiltrated the [[Cappella Sistina|Sistine Chapel]], where Rodrigo was holding Mass, and attacked him from above. However, after turning to leave, Ezio witnessed Rodrigo rise from the ground and use his Piece of Eden, the [[Staves of Eden|Papal Staff]], to strike him down, along with everyone else in the room.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Rodrigo was surprised to see that Ezio was able to resist the power of his Staff, as Ezio had brought his own Piece of Eden: the Apple. Ezio then summoned four clones of himself to assist in his battle against Rodrigo, eventually defeating him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Rodrigo knocked Ezio aside with the Staff, and snatched the Apple from his hands. He then combined it with the Staff to open up the door to the Vault, and as Ezio tried to stop him, Rodrigo lifted him into the air with the power of the two combined Pieces of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
[[File:IBAL 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo using the power of the Staff on Ezio]]
As the Assassin hung helpless, Rodrigo stabbed Ezio with a dagger, and left him to die on the floor of the Sistine Chapel. Though injured, Ezio eventually followed Rodrigo to the Vault, and found the Pope furiously pounding upon the door to the inner chambers, which refused to open.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ezio then dropped down into the pit where Rodrigo was, and challenged him to one last [[Fists|fist fight]], with no more weapons, plots, or decoys. Rodrigo accepted, and the two had one last duel. During the battle, Rodrigo stated that he had never believed in the Bible or in God, and had only become Pope to gain access to the Staff and the Vault, and to unify Italy under Templar rule. Ezio defeated Rodrigo, holding the Pope at blade-point and telling him he was not the Prophet, and had never been.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Broken by this revelation and accepting defeat, Rodrigo told Ezio to kill him and put an end to it. However, Ezio refused, saying that killing him would not bring back his family. Additionally, the knowledge that he was not the Prophet, as he had believed, was an even sorer blow than anything else that Ezio could have thought of.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

When Rodrigo's son Cesare learned of this, he led a [[Fall of Monteriggioni|siege]] on [[Monteriggioni]], though without Rodrigo's approval, in order to reacquire the Apple of Eden and kill the last of the Assassins. By this time, Rodrigo was reduced to nothing but a figurehead, with Cesare ultimately taking over Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

===Later life and death===
{{Quote|You risk upsetting the delicate balance of control we have worked so hard to tighten.|Rodrigo talking about the consequences of his son's actions.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In and Out 8.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo and Cesare talking at the Pagan party]]
Following his defeat in the Vault, Rodrigo had given up on fighting the Assassin Order and instead chose to preserve the balance of power in Rome he had managed to obtain. However, Cesare was eager to take over all of Italy, a plan that Rodrigo did not approve of. As the Captain General of the Papal armies, however, Cesare held control over Rodrigo's military, and so he was able to carry out his plans without his father's consent.

A string of bad luck followed Rodrigo after the events in the Vault: in June 1500, an iron steeple from the roof of St. Peter's fell a few feet away from where he was walking. The next day, he was in a room in the Vatican that collapsed and killed everyone around him: only a piece of canopy wedged above him saved his life. A few weeks later, he grew ill from fever, and at the end of year, he was charged by a stag during a hunting trip.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1503, at [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s pagan party, Rodrigo spoke to Cesare and reprimanded him, only to have his son brush aside his concerns and remind him of who was ''truly'' in charge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Later that year, Rodrigo had grown heavily displeased with Cesare's ambition and entitlement, believing his son to be out of control. Fearing Cesare would jeopardize his own balance of power, Rodrigo decided that his best option would be to remove Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:Apple a day 5.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare killing Rodrigo]]
To achieve this, he seized the Castel's supply of [[cantarella]] – the same poison that had been used for Doge Mocenigo – and poisoned a few apples for Cesare to unwittingly eat. However, Rodrigo's daughter Lucrezia discovered the presence of the poison, and warned Cesare about it before he could ingest enough for the toxin to kill him. Enraged, Cesare promptly spat out what he had eaten, before shoving the remaining apple down Rodrigo's throat. Rodrigo perished before Ezio arrived to kill him, but Ezio nevertheless gave Rodrigo his final blessing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Legacy==
During the 21st century, members of the Templar inner circle thought of Rodrigo Borgia as a debased tyrant instead of a respected Grand Master. Instead of spreading knowledge to enlighten his fellow man and break down the boundaries that keep men divided, Rodrigo used his power and position as Grand Master to corrupt the Templar purpose into gaining infinite power by any means.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

True Templar motives were questionable, but they intended to serve the greater good; Rodrigo however wanted power for the sake of it, and saw total domination over all as his prize. The Borgia's leadership over the Order would later be known as the "Dark Age of the Order."<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

==Personality==
{{Quote|It's not approval I'm after. Just power.|Rodrigo, while dueling with Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In_Bocca_Al_Lupo_16.png|thumb|250px|right|Rodrigo challenging Ezio in the Sistine Chapel]]
Initially an ambitious middle-aged man, Rodrigo was intent, as Cesare later would be, on taking Italy in the name of the Templar Order and exterminating the Assassins. After becoming Pope, his obsession not only with conquering Italy but also of realizing what he believed to be his true calling as the Prophet intensified. He actively sought to take the Apple from Savonarola, as demonstrated when he sent battalions of his family's soldiers to Florence to retrieve it.

After his duel with Ezio in the Vault, and the shattering revelation that he was not the Prophet, Rodrigo was reduced to being an empty shell, and instead of continuing to pursue his dreams of infinite power and the extermination of the Assassin Order, he focused on maintaining his monopoly over Rome.

==Final words==
After Ezio's first assassination attempt:
*'''Ezio:''' ''I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much... Requiescat in pace'' (Rest in peace), ''you bastard.''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''I don't think so.''

After Ezio's and Rodrigo's confrontation at the Vault:
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''You can't! You can't! It's MY destiny. MINE! I am the Prophet!''
*'''Ezio:''' ''You never were...''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''Get it over with then.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''...No. Killing you won't bring my family back... I'm done. Nulla è reale, tutto è lecito. Requiescat in pace.'' (Nothing is true, everything is permitted. Rest in peace.)

==Trivia==
[[File:Blason famille it Borgia01.png|thumb|The coat of arms of the Borgia, which can be seen on Rodrigo's personal guards]]
*Rodrigo was called "the Spaniard" by the Assassins, due to his Spanish origins.
*During some of Rodrigo's appearances, a dim red lighting effect could be seen on Rodrigo's hood and upper body, even though there was no source for this light.
*Historically, Pope Alexander VI ordered the execution of Savonarola, the mad monk of Florence.
*In the simulated training map of [[Castel Gandolfo]] in the [[Animi Training Program]], portraits of Rodrigo could be seen on the walls of the location's interior.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', while Ezio was disguised as a minstrel, he sang a song about Rodrigo before and after he became Pope.
*In the ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' novel, Giovanni Auditore mentions Rodrigo indirectly, implying him as the new Grand Master, "A man in Rome has taken command of our enemies who is perhaps the greatest power you and I will ever know."

;Combat
*When Ezio entered the Sistine Chapel to assassinate Rodrigo, he was proclaiming the Nicene Creed in Latin to the congregation. Ironically, Rodrigo later stated that he did not believe the concept of the Nicene Creed, which confesses the wholeness of the Roman Catholic doctrine.
*It is possible to kill Rodrigo while in the Sistine Chapel, if Ezio [[Poison blade|poisoned]] him. After this, the Assassin could wield the Staff of Eden, although he could not use any of its powers.
*Occasionally, during the fight with Rodrigo in the Sistine Chapel, he could be seen as wielding a spear instead of the Staff.
*Although Ezio did not kill Rodrigo, he was listed as dead in the [[Animus]]' Conspirator Web after [[Desmond Miles]] completed the main memories of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' and re-entered the Animus.

;Papacy
[[File:Papal Arms of Alexander VI.svg|thumb|Papal coat of arms of Alexander VI, which can be seen on his [[Papal Guard]]]]
*Rodrigo was the first Pope to be elected from a conclave in the Sistine Chapel.
*In Rodrigo's assassination target video, there was a scene with Rodrigo in his Papal robes standing next to his fellow Templars, who were seated at a table. This was impossible, because by the time Rodrigo became Pope, Ezio had killed all the other Templars present. The Pazzi, the Barbarigo, and Carlo Grimaldi, for example, were shown at the table.
*In the assassination target video for the Orsi brothers set in 1488, in the [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|''Battle of Forlì'' DLC]], Rodrigo was again shown in his Papal robes, even though he was elected Pope in 1492.

;Death
*Rodrigo's fate in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' differed from that shown in ''Assassin's Creed II''. In the game, after Ezio defeated and spared him, Rodrigo was left alone to come to terms with his misery as Ezio entered the Vault. In the novel, however, when Ezio emerged from the Vault, Rodrigo committed suicide with poison. His last act was to ask Ezio what he saw in the Vault, to which Ezio replied ''"Nothing. No one,"'' leading him to die believing everything he had done in life was for nothing.
**In the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|novelization of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']], however, Rodrigo evidently survived this suicide attempt, and Mario Auditore suggested that he had not taken enough poison, or that he had been faking.
*Rodrigo died at the age of [[72]], a recurring factor in the ''Assassin's Creed'' series.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Borgia lineage.jpg|Rodrigo hiding from Giovanni Auditore in Florence
Rodrigo Borgia V.png|Rodrigo, before becoming Pope
Gallery3.jpg|Rodrigo's portrait at Tiber island
CU Rodrigo Borgia Before Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo before becoming Pope
CU Rodrigo Borgia Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo after becoming Pope
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{AC2}}
{{ACB}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Rodrigo}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II assassination targets]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel) characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Recollection characters]]
[[Category:House of Borgia]]
[[Category:Cardinals]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Grand Masters of the Templar Order]]
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Pieces of Eden wielders]]
[[Category:Historical characters]]

Rodrigo Borgia

2013-05-12T07:29:28Z

24.184.48.238:

{{Era|AC2|ACB|PL|ACRE|Renaissance|Bbook|ACL|ASD|Templars|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL|Pope Alexander VI}}
{{Quote|He is Rodrigo Borgia, one of the most powerful men in all of Europe, and leader of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].|Mario Auditore to his nephew, Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Rodrigo Borgia
|image = ACB Rodrigo render.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1 January 1431 {{Wiki|Xàtiva}}, {{Wiki|Kingdom of Valencia}}, {{Wiki|Crown of Aragon}}, {{Wiki|Spain}}
|death = 18 August 1503 (aged [[72]]) [[Rome]], {{Wiki|Papal States}}
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] [[Templars]] [[Papacy]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage|Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance|Renaissance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Brotherhood'' novel]] ''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''
|actor = [[Manuel Tadros]]
|voice = Manuel Tadros}}
'''Rodrigo Borgia''' (1431 – 1503), born '''Roderic Llançol''', later '''Roderic de Borja i Borja''', was a [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Cardinals|cardinal]] and the [[Grand Master]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]] in [[Europe]] during the Renaissance from 1476 until his death. He was the father of [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]], [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]], and [[Jofré Borgia]], as well as grandfather to [[Giovanni Borgia]].

Rodrigo was [[Papacy|Pope]] from 1492 to 1503, and was known as '''Alexander VI'''. He was one of the most controversial Popes of the Renaissance, and his surname became synonymous for the corrupt standards of the Papacy in that era.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Roderic Llançol was born at {{Wiki|Xàtiva}} in the Kingdom of Valencia, one of the component states of the Crown of Aragon, present-day Spain. His parents were Jofré Llançol i Escrivá, and his wife and relative Isabel de Borja. His family name was written Llançol in Valencian and Lanzol in Spanish. After the elevation of Roderic's maternal uncle Alonso de Borja to the Papacy as {{Wiki|Pope Callixtus III|Callixtus III}} in 1455, Roderic was adopted into his mother's family name of Borja.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI">{{Wiki|Pope Alexander VI|''Wikipedia:'' Pope Alexander VI}}</ref>

===As a cardinal===
Rodrigo de Borgia studied law at Bologna, and was successively made bishop, cardinal, and vice-chancellor of the church, all of which were nepotistic appointments characteristic of the age. He served in the Roman Curia under five Popes (his uncle, Callixtus III, Pius II, Paul II, [[Sixtus IV]] and Innocent VIII) and acquired much administrative experience, influence, and wealth, though not great power.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI"/>

By the time Rodrigo was under Pope [[Sixtus IV]], he had become the Grand Master of the Templar Order in 1458. In this position, he aspired to unite all of [[Italy]] under the Templar banner. In order to achieve that goal, he made plans to take down the leaders of Italy's main cities, and place his own men in power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>

===Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza===
Rodrigo devised a plan to eliminate [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]], the Duke of Milan, in which [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], [[Carlo Visconti]] and [[Gerolamo Olgiati]] would kill Sforza on the day of Santo Stefano.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

One night in December of 1476, Rodrigo was on his way to leave [[Florence]] accompanied by several of his men. Suddenly, [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]], a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], intercepted him. Rodrigo fled immediately as the Assassin battled his men.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Hidden behind a corner, Rodrigo witnessed Giovanni capture one of his men, who later revealed the planned assassination of Galeazzo Sforza, a powerful ally of [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]. Giovanni attempted to prevent the assassination, though he arrived too late to do so. Rodrigo's plan had succeeded, and so he began to devise his next scheme.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

===Auditore execution===
Giovanni Auditore learned that Rodrigo's plans would lead him to the city of [[Venice]], after looting a Venetian ducat from Giovanni Lampugnani. Upon traveling there, he intercepted a message from [[Marco Barbarigo|Marco]] and [[Silvio Barbarigo]] to their master, Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:Tadros.jpg|thumb|250px|Rodrigo walking through Rome]]
After [[Uberto Alberti]] and [[Antonio Maffei]] "failed" to decode the intercepted letter, the [[House of Medici|Medici]] and Uberto sent Giovanni to carry a copied version of the message to [[Rome]], in order to discover who was behind the plot. Arriving in the city, Giovanni handed the message to a man, and followed the letter as it passed through several hands before meeting its final destination: Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Rodrigo then left to see Pope Sixtus IV, hoping to obtain military support in order to conquer Florence. After gaining Sixtus' favor, Rodrigo headed out of the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]], and into the streets of Rome once more.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Giovanni was still on Rodrigo's trail, and followed him all the way into the [[Basilica di San Pietro|St. Peter's Basilica]]. However, he fell into an ambush set by Rodrigo, who had known of the Assassin following him. Rodrigo tried to offer Giovanni a position among the Templars, but the Assassin refused, stating that Rodrigo would be dead before he could see the Templars' fantasy become reality.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Disappointed, Rodrigo had his men attack Giovanni, but the Assassin routed all of them. Rodrigo, who had been watching from the sidelines, threw a [[Throwing knives|knife]] at Giovanni, which hit him in the chest. Rodrigo then took the chance to flee the Basilica. Afterwards, he discussed the next step in his plan with his Templar brothers, and all agreed that they had to dispose of Giovanni Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:LMS 10 v.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo with Uberto Alberti at the Auditore execution]]
In order to get rid of Giovanni, Rodrigo conspired with Uberto Alberti and the [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi family]]. After careful planning, the Templars were able to frame Giovanni for the crimes of treason, and had him and two of his sons arrested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

The night before the trial of the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], Rodrigo was at Uberto's house. [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], Giovanni's remaining son, came by to give Uberto his father's letters that would prove him innocent. Ezio noticed Rodrigo behind Uberto, but paid no further attention to him. The following morning, Rodrigo attended the judgment and execution of Giovanni, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio Auditore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Pazzi Conspiracy===
{{Quote|Gentlemen. Tomorrow, a new sun rises over Firenze.|Rodrigo encouraging the Pazzi conspirators.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Novella's Secret 6.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo discussing the Pazzi conspiracy]]
In 1478, Rodrigo conspired to take down the leader of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. With this, Rodrigo left for [[San Gimignano]], where he held a meeting with [[Francesco de' Pazzi|Francesco]], [[Jacopo de' Pazzi|Jacopo]], and [[Vieri de' Pazzi]]. Rodrigo left the town just before the [[mercenaries]], led by [[Mario Auditore]] and his nephew Ezio, attacked. Their assault resulted in the death of Vieri de' Pazzi.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Not long after that, Rodrigo met with Francesco and Jacopo de'Pazzi, Antonio Maffei, [[Bernardo Baroncelli]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]] and [[Francesco Salviati]] in a catacomb under the Basilica of [[Santa Maria Novella]]. As the Pazzi conspirators confirmed their plan to Rodrigo, he reminded them to beware of the Assassins, and stated that the next day would be ''"a new dawn" ''for Florence<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Ezio thwarted the Templars' attempted takeover in Florence and killed off the remaining conspirators Rodrigo was arranged to meet with in San Gimignano, where the Pazzi originally intended to request asylum with Rodrigo in either Venice or Rome. Jacopo was the only one to arrive at the meeting and claimed that the blame for the failure rested with his nephew, for his impatience, and with [[Emilio Barbarigo]], for supplying the Pazzi troops with sub-standard weaponry. Enraged by Jacopo's sniveling excuses, Rodrigo lectured his subordinate on his failure, then stabbed him in the abdomen, aided by an eager Emilio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ignoring Jacopo's pleas for mercy, Rodrigo stabbed him a second time in the neck with his sword, then called out to Ezio who had tailed Jacopo to the meeting. Grabbed by Borgia guards, Ezio was brought into Rodrigo's sight. Sarcastically apologizing for killing Jacopo for him, Rodrigo mocked Ezio, saying that he had been doing this for far longer than the [[novice]] Assassin. He then ordered his men to kill him, and left without bothering to ensure the deed was done.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Venetian Conspiracy===
{{Quote|I feel the need to involve myself more directly. The Pazzi disappointed us in Firenze. I pray you will not do the same.|Rodrigo, about personally attending the meeting.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:BoF 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo on the [[Ponte di Rialto]] with the other Templars]]
Soon after the Florentine attempt failed, Rodrigo returned his attention to conducting his plans for Venice. In 1485, he met with [[Carlo Grimaldi]] and the [[House of Barbarigo|Barbarigo family]] to plan the murder of the current Doge, [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], in order for them to seize control of Venice. During the meeting, Rodrigo chastised the Venetian Templars for making their own plans, rebuking them for their ''"inane prattle"'' as they argued over who would be the new Doge after they took Venice. He then silenced their debates by appointing Marco Barbarigo as the next Doge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this meeting, Marco questioned Rodrigo's presence in Venice, as Ezio was also there, but Rodrigo only replied that he felt he should see out their plans personally, particularly after the failure of the Pazzi conspiracy. Warning the Venetian tyrants of the Assassin that haunted their city, he then made his departure from Venice to Rome, allowing them to carry out his plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Shipping the Apple of Eden===
{{Quote|You claim not to be a believer. And yet, here you are... Don't you see him? The Prophet is already here... I AM the Prophet. Now give me the Apple.|Rodrigo upon confronting Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Play along 2.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo in Venice]]
By 1486, Rodrigo had found out by his Templar comrade, [[Cem]], that the Piece of Eden he sought was [[Ezio's Apple of Eden|the Apple]], which was hidden on [[Cyprus]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Recollection">''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''</ref> so he sent a battalion of his men to retrieve it. Two years later, the men returned to [[Arsenale di Venezia|L'Arsenale]] with the artifact, and Rodrigo met with the courier who was to deliver it to him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, prior to this, Ezio had intercepted the delivery and had disguised himself as the carrier of the artifact, in order to find and kill Rodrigo. Rodrigo was not surprised, and readied himself to deal with Ezio personally. The two exchanged a brief conversation, in which Rodrigo claimed himself to be the Prophet, who was said to be the only one who could open the fabled [[Vatican Vault|Vault]]. The two then began an intense battle, in which Ezio ultimately emerged as the victor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Realizing that he could not defeat Ezio on his own, Rodrigo called in a supply of guards to overwhelm him. Suddenly, many of Ezio's allies appeared, all of whom revealed themselves to be Assassins. They held off the guards to allow Ezio to re-challenge Rodrigo, who then escaped from them before Ezio could kill him, leaving the Apple in the hands of the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

That same year, Rodrigo found out that the late [[Girolamo Riario]] had created a map marking where all the [[Codex]] pages could be found, thus he hired the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] to retrieve it from Riario's city of [[Forlì]]. The Orsi discovered that Riario's wife, [[Caterina Sforza]], also had the Apple, and so they laid [[Battle of Forlì|siege]] to the city and took the artifact by force, planning to present it to Rodrigo for an extra pay-off.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Unfortunately for Rodrigo, Ezio managed to kill both of the Orsi brothers, though the Apple eventually came into the hands of [[Girolamo Savonarola]], a later arch-enemy of Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Deceiving Torquemada===
{{Dialogue|Ezio|Rodrigo Borgia is an unbeliever like me, and yet you lavish him with favors.|Torquemada|Borgia is one of three Papal candidates this year. And he is as devoted to God as I am.|Ezio and Torquemada talking about Rodrigo.|Assassin's Creed II: Discovery}}
In 1491, Rodrigo fooled the Spanish Inquisitor General [[Tomás de Torquemada]] into capturing and killing Assassins in Spain. Tomás, who thought Rodrigo was as much as a believer of God as he was, blindly followed his orders.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>

At around this time, Rodrigo also found out about [[Christoffa Corombo]]'s plans to sail west; however he, knowing of the presence of the [[United States|Americas]] and the treasures that lay there, wished to stop anyone from finding it before he could. For this, Rodrigo arranged a meeting with Christoffa in Venice, and laid a trap for him there.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

However, Christoffa's friend, [[Luis de Santángel]], was suspicious of the arrangement, and called for the aid of his fellow Assassin, Ezio. Ezio rushed to Christoffa's aid, successfully rescuing him from an assassin and thwarted Rodrigo's plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

===Papal rule===
{{Quote|The Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, has been elected Pope. He rules the Vatican and Rome as the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander VI! [...] The rumour is that Rodrigo simply bought most of the votes. Even [[Ascanio Sforza]], who was the most likely candidate standing against him, voted for him!|[[Sister Teodora]] talking about Rodrigo becoming Pope.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
Rodrigo was elected Pope in 1492, and established his power in Rome. Rodrigo's true intent, however, was simply to get into the Vault that lay under the Vatican, where he believed God rested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1494, with the death of Lorenzo de' Medici, and with the power of the Apple he had obtained, Savonarola [[Bonfire of the Vanities|took control]] over Florence. Rodrigo repeatedly sent his men to Florence in the hopes of acquiring the Apple, though all of his attempts failed. In 1498, Savonarola was assassinated by Ezio, causing the Borgia family to fall into a state of chaos upon losing track of the Apple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>
[[File:IBAL 4.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo in the Vatican]]
In 1499, Rodrigo was followed into the Vatican by Ezio for yet another assassination attempt. Ezio infiltrated the [[Cappella Sistina|Sistine Chapel]], where Rodrigo was holding Mass, and attacked him from above. However, after turning to leave, Ezio witnessed Rodrigo rise from the ground and use his Piece of Eden, the [[Staves of Eden|Papal Staff]], to strike him down, along with everyone else in the room.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Rodrigo was surprised to see that Ezio was able to resist the power of his Staff, as Ezio had brought his own Piece of Eden: the Apple. Ezio then summoned four clones of himself to assist in his battle against Rodrigo, eventually defeating him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Rodrigo knocked Ezio aside with the Staff, and snatched the Apple from his hands. He then combined it with the Staff to open up the door to the Vault, and as Ezio tried to stop him, Rodrigo lifted him into the air with the power of the two combined Pieces of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
[[File:IBAL 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo using the power of the Staff on Ezio]]
As the Assassin hung helpless, Rodrigo stabbed Ezio with a dagger, and left him to die on the floor of the Sistine Chapel. Though injured, Ezio eventually followed Rodrigo to the Vault, and found the Pope furiously pounding upon the door to the inner chambers, which refused to open.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ezio then dropped down into the pit where Rodrigo was, and challenged him to one last [[Fists|fist fight]], with no more weapons, plots, or decoys. Rodrigo accepted, and the two had one last duel. During the battle, Rodrigo stated that he had never believed in the Bible or in God, and had only become Pope to gain access to the Staff and the Vault, and to unify Italy under Templar rule. Ezio defeated Rodrigo, holding the Pope at blade-point and telling him he was not the Prophet, and had never been.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Broken by this revelation and accepting defeat, Rodrigo told Ezio to kill him and put an end to it. However, Ezio refused, saying that killing him would not bring back his family. Additionally, the knowledge that he was not the Prophet, as he had believed, was an even sorer blow than anything else that Ezio could have thought of.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

When Rodrigo's son Cesare learned of this, he led a [[Fall of Monteriggioni|siege]] on [[Monteriggioni]], though without Rodrigo's approval, in order to reacquire the Apple of Eden and kill the last of the Assassins. By this time, Rodrigo was reduced to nothing but a figurehead, with Cesare ultimately taking over Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

===Later life and death===
{{Quote|You risk upsetting the delicate balance of control we have worked so hard to tighten.|Rodrigo talking about the consequences of his son's actions.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In and Out 8.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo and Cesare talking at the Pagan party]]
Following his defeat in the Vault, Rodrigo had given up on fighting the Assassin Order and instead chose to preserve the balance of power in Rome he had managed to obtain. However, Cesare was eager to take over all of Italy, a plan that Rodrigo did not approve of. As the Captain General of the Papal armies, however, Cesare held control over Rodrigo's military, and so he was able to carry out his plans without his father's consent.

A string of bad luck followed Rodrigo after the events in the Vault: in June 1500, an iron steeple from the roof of St. Peter's fell a few feet away from where he was walking. The next day, he was in a room in the Vatican that collapsed and killed everyone around him: only a piece of canopy wedged above him saved his life. A few weeks later, he grew ill from fever, and at the end of year, he was charged by a stag during a hunting trip.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1503, at [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s pagan party, Rodrigo spoke to Cesare and reprimanded him, only to have his son brush aside his concerns and remind him of who was ''truly'' in charge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Later that year, Rodrigo had grown heavily displeased with Cesare's ambition and entitlement, believing his son to be out of control. Fearing Cesare would jeopardize his own balance of power, Rodrigo decided that his best option would be to remove Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:Apple a day 5.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare killing Rodrigo]]
To achieve this, he seized the Castel's supply of [[cantarella]] – the same poison that had been used for Doge Mocenigo – and poisoned a few apples for Cesare to unwittingly eat. However, Rodrigo's daughter Lucrezia discovered the presence of the poison, and warned Cesare about it before he could ingest enough for the toxin to kill him. Enraged, Cesare promptly spat out what he had eaten, before shoving the remaining apple down Rodrigo's throat. Rodrigo perished before Ezio arrived to kill him, but Ezio nevertheless gave Rodrigo his final blessing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Legacy==
During the 21st century, members of the Templar inner circle thought of Rodrigo Borgia as a debased tyrant instead of a respected Grand Master. Instead of spreading knowledge to enlighten his fellow man and break down the boundaries that keep men divided, Rodrigo used his power and position as Grand Master to corrupt the Templar purpose into gaining infinite power by any means.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

True Templar motives were questionable, but they intended to serve the greater good; Rodrigo however wanted power for the sake of it, and saw total domination over all as his prize. The Borgia's leadership over the Order would later be known as the "Dark Age of the Order."<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

==Personality==
{{Quote|It's not approval I'm after. Just power.|Rodrigo, while dueling with Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In_Bocca_Al_Lupo_16.png|thumb|250px|right|Rodrigo challenging Ezio in the Sistine Chapel]]
Initially an ambitious middle-aged man, Rodrigo was intent, as Cesare later would be, on taking Italy in the name of the Templar Order and exterminating the Assassins. After becoming Pope, his obsession not only with conquering Italy but also of realizing what he believed to be his true calling as the Prophet intensified. He actively sought to take the Apple from Savonarola, as demonstrated when he sent battalions of his family's soldiers to Florence to retrieve it.

After his duel with Ezio in the Vault, and the shattering revelation that he was not the Prophet, Rodrigo was reduced to being an empty shell, and instead of continuing to pursue his dreams of infinite power and the extermination of the Assassin Order, he focused on maintaining his monopoly over Rome.

==Final words==
After Ezio's first assassination attempt:
*'''Ezio:''' ''I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much... Requiescat in pace'' (Rest in peace), ''you bastard.''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''I don't think so.''

After Ezio's and Rodrigo's confrontation at the Vault:
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''You can't! You can't! It's MY destiny. MINE! I am the Prophet!''
*'''Ezio:''' ''You never were...''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''Get it over with then.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''...No. Killing you won't bring my family back... I'm done. Nulla è reale, tutto è lecito. Requiescat in pace.'' (Nothing is true, everything is permitted. Rest in peace.)

==Trivia==
[[File:Blason famille it Borgia01.png|thumb|The coat of arms of the Borgia, which can be seen on Rodrigo's personal guards]]
*Rodrigo was called "the Spaniard" by the Assassins, due to his Spanish origins.
*During some of Rodrigo's appearances, a dim red lighting effect could be seen on Rodrigo's hood and upper body, even though there was no source for this light.
*Historically, Pope Alexander VI ordered the execution of Savonarola, the mad monk of Florence.
*In the simulated training map of [[Castel Gandolfo]] in the [[Animi Training Program]], portraits of Rodrigo could be seen on the walls of the location's interior.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', while Ezio was disguised as a minstrel, he sang a song about Rodrigo before and after he became Pope.
*In the ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' novel, Giovanni Auditore mentions Rodrigo indirectly, implying him as the new Grand Master, "A man in Rome has taken command of our enemies who is perhaps the greatest power you and I will ever know."

;Combat
*When Ezio entered the Sistine Chapel to assassinate Rodrigo, he was proclaiming the Nicene Creed in Latin to the congregation. Ironically, Rodrigo later stated that he did not believe the concept of the Nicene Creed, which confesses the wholeness of the Roman Catholic doctrine.
*It is possible to kill Rodrigo while in the Sistine Chapel, if Ezio [[Poison blade|poisoned]] him. After this, the Assassin could wield the Staff of Eden, although he could not use any of its powers.
*Occasionally, during the fight with Rodrigo in the Sistine Chapel, he could be seen as wielding a spear instead of the Staff.
*Although Ezio did not kill Rodrigo, he was listed as dead in the [[Animus]]' Conspirator Web after [[Desmond Miles]] completed the main memories of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' and re-entered the Animus.

;Papacy
[[File:Papal Arms of Alexander VI.svg|thumb|Papal coat of arms of Alexander VI, which can be seen on his [[Papal Guard]]]]
*Rodrigo was the first Pope to be elected from a conclave in the Sistine Chapel.
*In Rodrigo's assassination target video, there was a scene with Rodrigo in his Papal robes standing next to his fellow Templars, who were seated at a table. This was impossible, because by the time Rodrigo became Pope, Ezio had killed all the other Templars present. The Pazzi, the Barbarigo, and Carlo Grimaldi, for example, were shown at the table.
*In the assassination target video for the Orsi brothers set in 1488, in the [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|''Battle of Forlì'' DLC]], Rodrigo was again shown in his Papal robes, even though he was elected Pope in 1492.

;Death
*Rodrigo's fate in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' differed from that shown in ''Assassin's Creed II''. In the game, after Ezio defeated and spared him, Rodrigo was left alone to come to terms with his misery as Ezio entered the Vault. In the novel, however, when Ezio emerged from the Vault, Rodrigo committed suicide with poison. His last act was to ask Ezio what he saw in the Vault, to which Ezio replied ''"Nothing. No one,"'' leading him to die believing everything he had done in life was for nothing.
**In the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|novelization of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']], however, Rodrigo evidently survived this suicide attempt, and Mario Auditore suggested that he had not taken enough poison, or that he had been faking.
*Rodrigo died at the age of [[72]], a recurring factor in the ''Assassin's Creed'' series.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Borgia lineage.jpg|Rodrigo hiding from Giovanni Auditore in Florence
Rodrigo Borgia V.png|Rodrigo, before becoming Pope
Gallery3.jpg|Rodrigo's portrait at Tiber island
CU Rodrigo Borgia Before Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo before becoming Pope
CU Rodrigo Borgia Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo after becoming Pope
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{AC2}}
{{ACB}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Rodrigo}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II assassination targets]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel) characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Recollection characters]]
[[Category:House of Borgia]]
[[Category:Cardinals]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Grand Masters of the Templar Order]]
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Pieces of Eden wielders]]
[[Category:Historical characters]]

Cesare Borgia

2013-05-12T07:26:30Z

24.184.48.238:

{{Era|Brotherhood|PL|ACRE|Bbook|Ascendance|Templars|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL}}
{{Quote|Father, do you not see? I control all of this. If I want to live, I live. If I want to take, I take. If I want you to die, you die!|Cesare Borgia to his father, 1503.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Cesare Borgia
|image = ACB_Cesare_render.png
|birth = 13 September 1475 or April 1476 [[Rome]], {{Wiki|Papal States}}
|death = 12 March 1507 [[Viana]], {{Wiki|Kingdom of Navarre}}
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] [[Templars]] [[Papacy]] (until 1503)
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|Brotherhood]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Brotherhood'' novel]] ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''
|voice = [[Andreas Apergis]]}}
'''Cesare Borgia''' (1475 or 1476 - 1507) was the son of [[Rodrigo Borgia]] and a nemesis of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]. Like his father, he was a member of the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. Eventually, he became {{Wiki|Captain General of the Church|Captain General}} of the [[Papacy|Papal]] armies, though he secretly plotted against his father to take over [[Rome]], and all of [[Italy]] afterwards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Even before his father's death, he claimed the rank of [[Grand Master]] of the Templar Order, usurping the title completely when his father eventually died. Despite his loyalty to the Templars, they were a secondary concern when compared to his own desire to control the powers of [[Ezio's Apple of Eden|the Apple]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Cesare Borgia was born in Rome in 1475, to Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master of the time, and his long-term mistress [[Vannozza dei Cattanei]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

At age 18, Cesare became a [[Cardinal]], while his older brother, [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]] (who was also Rodrigo's favorite) became Captain General. Unsatisfied with his life as a Cardinal and jealous of his brother's position and power, he arranged to meet Juan at [[Tiber Island]], where he convinced Juan to spend the night with the [[Courtesans|courtesan]] [[Fiora Cavazza]], who later killed him under Cesare's orders.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

He then took his place as Captain General, thereby becoming one of the most powerful men in Italy. Once he had become Captain General of the Papal armies, Cesare surrounded himself with cruel and effective men; [[Ramiro d'Orco]], [[Oliverotto da Fermo]], and [[Vitellozzo Vitelli]], all of which he had killed at a later date.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

===Becoming a Templar leader===
In 1496, when his father waged war with the Orsini Family to seize their territory, Cesare joined the battle. Among the enemy's ranks was [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], in secret an [[Assassins|Assassin]]. When Bartolomeo's resources were down to three fortresses, Cesare cut off his supplies. Just when victory seemed within reach, [[Fabio Orsini]] arrived with his army and reinforced Bartolomeo, even wounding Cesare in the face.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

In 1498, the Assassin [[Perotto Calderon]] and Cesare's sister [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]] had formed an intimate relationship, which led to Lucrezia becoming pregnant. However, Cesare had Perotto imprisoned for becoming close to his sister, and took [[Giovanni Borgia|the child]] away from them. Perotto managed to escape and took his son with him, but as he fled, the members of his Brotherhood executed him for having broken the tenets of [[The Creed|their Creed]]. Cesare somehow managed to once again take the child, and decided to raise him as his own, naming the child Giovanni Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

===Siege of Monteriggioni===
{{Quote|We've had too much bloodshed. I think a cleansing is in order. So, consider this an invitation from [[House of Borgia|my family]]... to [[House of Auditore|yours]].|Cesare Borgia to Ezio Auditore, just before killing Mario Auditore, 1500.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In January 1500, Cesare led [[Fall of Monteriggioni|an assault]] on [[Monteriggioni]], the headquarters of the Assassins in Italy, in order to eliminate the Auditore family, who were the leaders of the Assassins. Besieging the city, Cesare's forces overwhelmed the fortress defenders and captured the Apple, [[Caterina Sforza]], and [[Mario Auditore]], the current leader of the [[Italian Assassins]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

The beaten Assassin walked through the gates of Monteriggioni before collapsing onto the ground, followed by Cesare and his allies; including his sister, Lucrezia, [[Micheletto Corella]], Baron [[Octavian de Valois]], and [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:ACBH Cesare Apple of Eden.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare with the Apple of Eden during the Siege of Monteriggioni]]
Cesare sheathed his sword and spoke out to Ezio himself, who had seen the Borgia's entrance and was [[Free-Running|running across the rooftops]] to aid Mario. The Borgia Captain General spoke of how the Pope had told him of the Assassins and Apple. He then turned and grabbed the Baron de Valois' [[Firearms|firearm]] from him, a pistol that Ezio's good friend, [[Leonardo da Vinci]], had been forced to fashion for them.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Cesare stated that there had been too much bloodshed on both sides, and that a ''"cleansing was in order."'' Raising the pistol into the air, Cesare "invited" Ezio to come and face him in Rome, and killed Mario with a shot from the firearm.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Ezio was then shot down and wounded by a team of [[arquebusiers]]. Cesare immediately had Mario decapitated, his severed head placed on a pike. During Ezio's escape, Cesare showed Mario's head to him, exclaiming that he would kill him next. With Monteriggioni in ruins, Cesare and his army returned to Rome with their prize.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Supressing rebellion===
{{Dialogue|Oliverotto|I never wished you any harm, Cesare. It was entirely Vitellozzo's plan!|Cesare|Ha! Your sacrifice will prove invaluable to me.|Oliverotto pleading to Cesare before being killed by Micheletto, 1500.}}

Following the Siege of Monteriggioni, Cesare commanded Ramiro d'Orco, Vitellozzo Vitelli and Oliverotto da Fermo to lead his armies into [[Romagna]] and claim it for their Borgia master. However, all three generals eventually rebelled against Cesare, to which he responded by butchering Ramiro.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''</ref>

His death panicked both Oliverotto and Vitellozzo, forcing them both to re-enter Cesare's service, after he accepted their every demand to return without consequences for the rebellion. However, with Romagna his, Cesare no longer required their service. Months later, Cesare threw a "dinner" in Vitellozzo and Oliverotto's honor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

[[File:Cesare screenshot large.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Cesare greeting Vitelozzo and Oliverotto at the "dinner"]]
Once both generals arrived at the location Cesare given, he spoke out to them, thanking them for handing Romagna to him, but claimed it was time to shed his'' "bloody gloves"''.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

As several Papal Guards arrived at Cesare's side, they both realized that they had entered an ambush, thus they both charged into a fray immediately. Though outnumbered, both Oliverotto and Vitellozzo overpowered them. Cesare then armed himself with a [[crossbow]], and, as a surviving Papal Guard wounded Vitellozzo, Cesare fired the bolt at Oliverotto's chest.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

Several hours later, both Vitellozzo and Oliverotto regained consciousness, recovering from their wounds. As they woke up, they realized that they were chained back-to-back. In front of them Cesare stood, aside Micheletto Corella. Though Oliverotto blamed Vitellozzo for the conspiracy against him, Cesare ultimately ordered Micheletto to strangle both Viellozzo and Oliverotto back-to-back, claming their ''"sacrifice" ''was invaluable to him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

===War in Rome===
{{Quote|He is ambitious, ruthless, and cruel beyond imagining. The laws of men mean nothing to him. The powerful Orsini and Colonna families have been brought to kneel at his feet, and the [[Louis XII of France|King of France]] stands at his side.|[[Niccolò Machiavelli]], regarding Cesare Borgia.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

By 1500, Cesare had Rome under his iron fist as the commander of the Papal army, though he and his father occasionally disagreed on his choices. He used [[Borgia towers]] and their captains to keep control over the five districts of Rome, as he was often away for extended periods of time to oversee the advancement of his army, in a bid to unite all of Italy under his rule.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:In and Out 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Cesare and Rodrigo at the pagan party]]
During Ezio's infiltration of the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] in late June 1501, Cesare was seen at the stables conversing with his three generals about their plans, where he told them to play along with his father's ''"tired old men's club,"'' but to remember who they really served.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Subsequently, he shared a romantic moment with his sister. Cesare asked if their father had considered the funds requested by his banker, though she claimed he was away from the Castel and may need convincing. Cesare then left the Castel for Romagna to continue his campaign.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1502, Cesare continued to make use of Leonardo da Vinci's intellect, forcing him to design several [[War Machines|war machines]] for his army. However, all of Leonardo's creations were eventually stolen and destroyed by Ezio Auditore, in secret, at Leonardo's own request.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1503, Cesare attended Juan Borgia's pagan party, where he gave a brief speech on a soon to be united Italy. After Cesare commanded the party to begin, Rodrigo reminded him that they had not agreed to conquer Italy. However, Cesare stated that ''he'' was now in control, although not officially, and simply told his father to enjoy himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Later that year, Cesare had his close friend, [[Francesco Troche]], assassinated by [[Micheletto Corella]], for telling his [[Egidio Troche|brother]] of Cesare's intentions for Romagna. Cesare then ordered Micheletto to assassinate the actor [[Pietro Rossi]], Lucrezia's secret lover.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Apple a day 4.png|250px|thumb|Cesare arguing with Rodrigo]]
In August of 1503, due to the interference of the Roman Assassins, Cesare's army and funds had significantly diminished. Enraged, Cesare confronted Rodrigo, demanding to know what had happened. There, Cesare and Rodrigo argued over the former's insatiable lust for power. Rodrigo commented that he had given Cesare all he had, yet his son was never satisfied.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Cesare demanded that his father give him the Apple of Eden, but Rodrigo refused. At this point, Lucrezia barged in, crying out to her brother that their father was attempting to poison him with the bowl of apples he had left out.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

An outraged Cesare responded by charging Rodrigo and shoving the poisoned apple down his throat, suffocating him. Cesare then demanded the Apple's whereabouts from Lucrezia, who confessed under much pressure. However, Ezio beat Cesare to the [[Basilica di San Pietro]], the Apple's location, and retrieved the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] before him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Roads lead to 5.png|thumb|254px|left|Cesare being arrested]]
Cesare's rule met a downward spiral from there. As a final stab from his father, Cesare had consumed enough of the poison to leave him weak for months. While he recovered, Ezio and the other Assassins used the Apple to dwindle his remaining forces, while the [[Vatican]] meanwhile fully rejected Cesare's request for support, seeing the Borgia's money as "tainted."<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Cesare sent Micheletto to retrieve his armies from the battlefield in order to reclaim Rome, however, he was confronted by the highest-ranking Assassins as he awaited his return. As the last of his followers fell, Fabio Orsini arrived with the Papal Guard and a warrant for Cesare's arrest by the order of [[Julius II|Pope Julius II]]. Cesare was taken away, imprisoned, and later exiled to [[Spain]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===From Rome to Spain===
Subsequently following his arrest, Cesare was imprisoned in the Castel Sant'Angelo. However, he was able to escape the prison and flee. Though Cesare was later recaptured, Pope Julius II concluded that Cesare needed to be transferred to a more secure prison, and had the Templar moved to the [[Castillo de la Mota]], {{Wiki|Aragon}}, in Spain. Though Ezio had intended to kill Cesare despite his imprisonment, he was unaware of where Cesare had been transferred. He, Machiavelli, and Leonardo began tracking him down, while Micheletto, who had evaded imprisonment and remained loyal to Cesare, planned for his master's escape.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

In 1506, Micheletto bribed a prison guard at the Castillo. Having had rope smuggled in for him, Cesare climbed down from his window and snuck past the main gate in his stolen guard uniform. Meeting with Micheletto, he was informed that Ezio was currently tracking him, though he said nothing on the matter. Micheletto then told his master that he had made arrangements in [[Valencia]]. With this, Cesare made his escape, and rode to Valencia with Micheletto.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

===Attack on Valencia===
{{Dialogue2|Cesare|You got me out of La Mota, sure, and you up my hopes. But now look where you have got me!|Micheletto|Master, all my men are dead. I have done what I could.|And failed!|Cesare before bursting into a tirade about Micheletto and killing him, Valencia, 1506.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
Following his escape, Cesare began to rebuild his forces in Valencia, with men volunteering to enter his service and setting up a large military encampment. Whilst Cesare was raising a small army, he spent most of his time coordinating battle tactics at the [[Lone Wolf Inn]]. Ezio and Machiavelli soon discovered this, however, and were able to destroy the encampment and twelve ships with Leonardo's [[hand-held bomb]]s.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

Later, they spied on him from the roof of the Lone Wolf. Cesare blamed Micheletto for the Assassins' attack, and insulted him as a dog, remarking that he should find somewhere to die. During his tirade against Micheletto, Cesare claimed that he would cross the borders and join his brother-in-law, King [[John III of Navarre]] to seek his aid.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

Though Micheletto begged Cesare, and reminded him of his loyal service, Cesare continued to insult him. However, this rebounded on Cesare, as Micheletto, realizing how much his service meant to his ungrateful master, attempted to murder Cesare by strangling him. However, Cesare was able to shove Micheletto away and shoot him in the head, killing him. Ezio and Machiavelli, who had watched the scene unfold, made a noise from above. Cesare, who heard this, fired his rifle and wounded Machiavelli.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

Ezio then took Machiavelli to a [[Doctors|doctor]] instead of attacking Cesare, giving the Templar a chance to escape Valencia and cross the borders to the Kingdom of Navarre.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

===Siege of Viana and death===
{{Quote|I will lead mankind into a new world! You cannot kill me! No man can murder me!|Cesare Borgia's last words, 1507.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

[[File:PaxR 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Cesare fighting Ezio in Viana]]
In March of 1507, Cesare tried to regain his lost honor by commandeering John III's vast army during the [[Siege of Viana|Siege]] of [[Viana]], after which, should he be victorious, he would regain the support of the French. However, unbeknownst to him, Ezio caught wind of Cesare's involvement in the battle and set out for Viana.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

During the siege, Ezio located and charged Cesare on the battlefield, though Cesare held him back just long enough to dodge his [[Hidden Blade]] and flee. Ezio's pursuit was delayed by several cannonball impacts that stunned him, and incapacitated the other soldiers in the area.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:PaxR 6.png|thumb|250px|right|Ezio letting Cesare fall to his death]]
Ezio soon caught up to him on the outskirts of the castle walls, where Cesare had his soldiers kill a [[Civilians|civilian]] woman, who was crying for him to help her son, who had been injured. Ezio eventually faced Cesare on the walls of [[Viana Castle|Viana's Castle]] and fought against him, with Cesare wielding a sword and a pistol.

Though Cesare attacked with speed and skill, while also periodically calling reinforcing troops, Ezio nevertheless defeated him, eventually pinning him to the ground. When Cesare vowed not to die at the hands of man, Ezio declared that he would leave Cesare ''"in the hands of Fate,"'' and threw him off of the castle wall to his death.

==Personality==
Cesare was born into the Templar Order and, like many of his siblings, was raised by his father into his personal weapon. However, Cesare was naturally an aggressive and ambitious person, and would do anything - including having his own family or friends murdered - in order to obtain power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

[[File:CCrasher 5.png|thumb|250px|left|Cesare and Lucrezia kissing]]
Cesare maintained an incestuous relationship with his sister, Lucrezia Borgia and promised her that she would be his queen when he ruled Italy. As such, he frequently descended into jealous rage due to her many dalliances with other men (whom she would normally woo in order to spite her unfaithful brother).<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

However, in his attempts to discover the location of the Apple, Cesare physically assaulted her, answering her tearful question if he had ever loved her by saying, ''"You are my sister, nothing more."''<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Over time, Cesare came to believe that no mortal man could kill him, and that he would lead mankind into a new era; a belief that he held onto until the moment of his death.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Final words==
[[File:Ezio Cesare.png|thumb|250px|right|Cesare's final moments]]
*'''Cesare''': ''The throne was mine!''
*'''Ezio''': ''Wanting something does not make it your right.''
*'''Cesare''': ''What do you know?''
*'''Ezio''': ''That a true leader empowers the people he rules.''
*'''Cesare''': ''I will lead mankind into a new world!''
*'''Ezio''': Che nessuno ricordi il tuo nome. ''(May no one remember your name.)'' Requiescat in pace. ''(Rest in peace.)''
*'''Cesare''': ''You cannot kill me. No man can murder me!''
*'''Ezio''': ''Then I leave you in the hands of Fate.''

==Trivia==
'''Appearance and behavior'''
*In [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|the novelization of ''Brotherhood'']], Cesare's face had been apparently deformed by the "New Disease," and he had resorted to wearing a mask. However, in the game, he is never seen with either said deformity or mask.
**Historically, Cesare was infected by the recent outbreak of syphilis and resorted to wearing a mask in public.
*According to the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel, Cesare excelled at bullfighting. Machiavelli believed he showed such an interest in the sport due to its origins in Spain, and his aggressive nature.
*Historically, Cesare fathered 11 illegitimate children, some of whose mothers remain unknown.

'''Combat'''
*Despite being shown to be adept with a [[crossbow]] in both ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'', Cesare never wields the weapon in ''Brotherhood''.
*Since Cesare is immune to executions or counters, and will even harm Ezio if he tries to counter-kill, he can only be killed by breaking his defense and attacking repeatedly. Ezio may also shoot him with his [[Hidden Gun|pistol]].

'''Others'''
*His given name "Cesare" is pronounced in Italian as "Cheh-ser-ay." It is the Italian variation of the name Caesar.
*Cesare's comments about bloodshed and the need for "a cleansing" is strikingly similar to the source of [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]]'s name, which is Latin for "I cleanse."
*Historically, it is said that Niccolò Machiavelli greatly admired Cesare. However, in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', while Machiavelli respects his ability to enforce his will, he also seeks to eliminate Cesare and his [[House of Borgia|family members]] alongside Ezio. Despite this, he does write a book based partially on Cesare's political life.
*Cesare has been compared to other Roman Templar rulers. Giovanni Borgia relived the memories of [[Marcus Junius Brutus]] through the [[Bleeding Effect]] and mistook Cesare for [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], attempting to kill Cesare with a knife.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> Ezio Auditore compared Cesare to [[Caligula]], due to the similarities in their arrogant, narcissistic personalities.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>
*When replaying the memory in Viana, after the cutscene in which Ezio drops Cesare from the castle walls, his body can be seen when looking down from the battlements before the memory fades out.
*When talking to Shaun in the Sanctuary, he says that Cesare sent the Pope a letter about the night of his wedding with his French wife and that he had "done the deed eight times."
*In the novelization, Cesare’s personal crest was described as "two red bulls quartered with fleur-de-lis", the coat of arms of Duke of Valentinois. In-game, he wasn't given a personal crest.
*Cesare is mentioned in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' during "[[The Prince's Banquet]]", where Ezio is disguised as a minstrel and sings about Cesare's death.
*There is an action figure of Cesare available, supplied by the UK branch of the Amazon retailer.
*Cesare is represented in two [[mnemonic sets]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'': the "Borgia Family" set, and the "[[Shroud of Eden|Shroud of Turin]]" set.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Cesare Borgia Artwork.png|Cesare's concept art
Gallery7.jpg|Cesare's portrait in the Tiber Island hideout
CesareFiora.png|Cesare watching his brother's death
ACB Cesare Baron.png|Cesare and Octavian de Valois
CCrasher 4.png|Cesare and his allies in Castel Sant'Angelo
The Apple 3.png|Cesare being protected by Papal Guards from Ezio Auditore
Apple_a_day_6.png|Cesare demanding the location of the Apple from Lucrezia
PaxR_5.png|Cesare battling Ezio at the Siege of Viana
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Cesare}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood assassination targets]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel) characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Recollection characters]]
[[Category:House of Borgia]]
[[Category:Cardinals]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Grand Masters of the Templar Order]]
[[Category:Pieces of Eden wielders]]
[[Category:Historical characters]]

Cesare Borgia

2013-05-12T07:25:57Z

24.184.48.238:

{{Era|Brotherhood|PL|ACRE|Bbook|Ascendance|Templars|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL}}
{{Quote|Father, do you not see? I control all of this. If I want to live, I live. If I want to take, I take. If I want you to die, you die!|Cesare Borgia to his father, 1503.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Cesare Borgia
|image = ACB_Cesare_render.png
|birth = 13 September 1475 or April 1476 [[Rome]], {{Wiki|Papal States}}
|death = 12 March 1507 [[Viana]], {{Wiki|Kingdom of Navarre}}
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] [[Templars]] [[Papacy]] (until 1503)
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|Brotherhood]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Brotherhood'' novel]] ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''
|voice = [[Andreas Apergis]]}}
'''Cesare Borgia''' (1475 or 1476 - 1507) was the son of [[Rodrigo Borgia]] and a nemesis of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]]. Like his father, he was a member of the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. Eventually, he became {{Wiki|Captain General of the Church|Captain General}} of the [[Papacy|Papal]] armies, though he secretly plotted against his father to take over [[Rome]], and all of [[Italy]] afterwards.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

Even before his father's death, he claimed the rank of [[Grand Master]] of the Templars Order, usurping the title completely when his father eventually died. Despite his loyalty to the Templars, they were a secondary concern when compared to his own desire to control the powers of [[Ezio's Apple of Eden|the Apple]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Cesare Borgia was born in Rome in 1475, to Rodrigo Borgia, the Templar Grand Master of the time, and his long-term mistress [[Vannozza dei Cattanei]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

At age 18, Cesare became a [[Cardinal]], while his older brother, [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]] (who was also Rodrigo's favorite) became Captain General. Unsatisfied with his life as a Cardinal and jealous of his brother's position and power, he arranged to meet Juan at [[Tiber Island]], where he convinced Juan to spend the night with the [[Courtesans|courtesan]] [[Fiora Cavazza]], who later killed him under Cesare's orders.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

He then took his place as Captain General, thereby becoming one of the most powerful men in Italy. Once he had become Captain General of the Papal armies, Cesare surrounded himself with cruel and effective men; [[Ramiro d'Orco]], [[Oliverotto da Fermo]], and [[Vitellozzo Vitelli]], all of which he had killed at a later date.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

===Becoming a Templar leader===
In 1496, when his father waged war with the Orsini Family to seize their territory, Cesare joined the battle. Among the enemy's ranks was [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]], in secret an [[Assassins|Assassin]]. When Bartolomeo's resources were down to three fortresses, Cesare cut off his supplies. Just when victory seemed within reach, [[Fabio Orsini]] arrived with his army and reinforced Bartolomeo, even wounding Cesare in the face.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

In 1498, the Assassin [[Perotto Calderon]] and Cesare's sister [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]] had formed an intimate relationship, which led to Lucrezia becoming pregnant. However, Cesare had Perotto imprisoned for becoming close to his sister, and took [[Giovanni Borgia|the child]] away from them. Perotto managed to escape and took his son with him, but as he fled, the members of his Brotherhood executed him for having broken the tenets of [[The Creed|their Creed]]. Cesare somehow managed to once again take the child, and decided to raise him as his own, naming the child Giovanni Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>

===Siege of Monteriggioni===
{{Quote|We've had too much bloodshed. I think a cleansing is in order. So, consider this an invitation from [[House of Borgia|my family]]... to [[House of Auditore|yours]].|Cesare Borgia to Ezio Auditore, just before killing Mario Auditore, 1500.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}
In January 1500, Cesare led [[Fall of Monteriggioni|an assault]] on [[Monteriggioni]], the headquarters of the Assassins in Italy, in order to eliminate the Auditore family, who were the leaders of the Assassins. Besieging the city, Cesare's forces overwhelmed the fortress defenders and captured the Apple, [[Caterina Sforza]], and [[Mario Auditore]], the current leader of the [[Italian Assassins]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

The beaten Assassin walked through the gates of Monteriggioni before collapsing onto the ground, followed by Cesare and his allies; including his sister, Lucrezia, [[Micheletto Corella]], Baron [[Octavian de Valois]], and [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:ACBH Cesare Apple of Eden.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare with the Apple of Eden during the Siege of Monteriggioni]]
Cesare sheathed his sword and spoke out to Ezio himself, who had seen the Borgia's entrance and was [[Free-Running|running across the rooftops]] to aid Mario. The Borgia Captain General spoke of how the Pope had told him of the Assassins and Apple. He then turned and grabbed the Baron de Valois' [[Firearms|firearm]] from him, a pistol that Ezio's good friend, [[Leonardo da Vinci]], had been forced to fashion for them.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Cesare stated that there had been too much bloodshed on both sides, and that a ''"cleansing was in order."'' Raising the pistol into the air, Cesare "invited" Ezio to come and face him in Rome, and killed Mario with a shot from the firearm.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Ezio was then shot down and wounded by a team of [[arquebusiers]]. Cesare immediately had Mario decapitated, his severed head placed on a pike. During Ezio's escape, Cesare showed Mario's head to him, exclaiming that he would kill him next. With Monteriggioni in ruins, Cesare and his army returned to Rome with their prize.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===Supressing rebellion===
{{Dialogue|Oliverotto|I never wished you any harm, Cesare. It was entirely Vitellozzo's plan!|Cesare|Ha! Your sacrifice will prove invaluable to me.|Oliverotto pleading to Cesare before being killed by Micheletto, 1500.}}

Following the Siege of Monteriggioni, Cesare commanded Ramiro d'Orco, Vitellozzo Vitelli and Oliverotto da Fermo to lead his armies into [[Romagna]] and claim it for their Borgia master. However, all three generals eventually rebelled against Cesare, to which he responded by butchering Ramiro.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance">''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''</ref>

His death panicked both Oliverotto and Vitellozzo, forcing them both to re-enter Cesare's service, after he accepted their every demand to return without consequences for the rebellion. However, with Romagna his, Cesare no longer required their service. Months later, Cesare threw a "dinner" in Vitellozzo and Oliverotto's honor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

[[File:Cesare screenshot large.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Cesare greeting Vitelozzo and Oliverotto at the "dinner"]]
Once both generals arrived at the location Cesare given, he spoke out to them, thanking them for handing Romagna to him, but claimed it was time to shed his'' "bloody gloves"''.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

As several Papal Guards arrived at Cesare's side, they both realized that they had entered an ambush, thus they both charged into a fray immediately. Though outnumbered, both Oliverotto and Vitellozzo overpowered them. Cesare then armed himself with a [[crossbow]], and, as a surviving Papal Guard wounded Vitellozzo, Cesare fired the bolt at Oliverotto's chest.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

Several hours later, both Vitellozzo and Oliverotto regained consciousness, recovering from their wounds. As they woke up, they realized that they were chained back-to-back. In front of them Cesare stood, aside Micheletto Corella. Though Oliverotto blamed Vitellozzo for the conspiracy against him, Cesare ultimately ordered Micheletto to strangle both Viellozzo and Oliverotto back-to-back, claming their ''"sacrifice" ''was invaluable to him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

===War in Rome===
{{Quote|He is ambitious, ruthless, and cruel beyond imagining. The laws of men mean nothing to him. The powerful Orsini and Colonna families have been brought to kneel at his feet, and the [[Louis XII of France|King of France]] stands at his side.|[[Niccolò Machiavelli]], regarding Cesare Borgia.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

By 1500, Cesare had Rome under his iron fist as the commander of the Papal army, though he and his father occasionally disagreed on his choices. He used [[Borgia towers]] and their captains to keep control over the five districts of Rome, as he was often away for extended periods of time to oversee the advancement of his army, in a bid to unite all of Italy under his rule.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:In and Out 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Cesare and Rodrigo at the pagan party]]
During Ezio's infiltration of the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] in late June 1501, Cesare was seen at the stables conversing with his three generals about their plans, where he told them to play along with his father's ''"tired old men's club,"'' but to remember who they really served.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Subsequently, he shared a romantic moment with his sister. Cesare asked if their father had considered the funds requested by his banker, though she claimed he was away from the Castel and may need convincing. Cesare then left the Castel for Romagna to continue his campaign.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1502, Cesare continued to make use of Leonardo da Vinci's intellect, forcing him to design several [[War Machines|war machines]] for his army. However, all of Leonardo's creations were eventually stolen and destroyed by Ezio Auditore, in secret, at Leonardo's own request.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1503, Cesare attended Juan Borgia's pagan party, where he gave a brief speech on a soon to be united Italy. After Cesare commanded the party to begin, Rodrigo reminded him that they had not agreed to conquer Italy. However, Cesare stated that ''he'' was now in control, although not officially, and simply told his father to enjoy himself.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Later that year, Cesare had his close friend, [[Francesco Troche]], assassinated by [[Micheletto Corella]], for telling his [[Egidio Troche|brother]] of Cesare's intentions for Romagna. Cesare then ordered Micheletto to assassinate the actor [[Pietro Rossi]], Lucrezia's secret lover.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Apple a day 4.png|250px|thumb|Cesare arguing with Rodrigo]]
In August of 1503, due to the interference of the Roman Assassins, Cesare's army and funds had significantly diminished. Enraged, Cesare confronted Rodrigo, demanding to know what had happened. There, Cesare and Rodrigo argued over the former's insatiable lust for power. Rodrigo commented that he had given Cesare all he had, yet his son was never satisfied.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Cesare demanded that his father give him the Apple of Eden, but Rodrigo refused. At this point, Lucrezia barged in, crying out to her brother that their father was attempting to poison him with the bowl of apples he had left out.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

An outraged Cesare responded by charging Rodrigo and shoving the poisoned apple down his throat, suffocating him. Cesare then demanded the Apple's whereabouts from Lucrezia, who confessed under much pressure. However, Ezio beat Cesare to the [[Basilica di San Pietro]], the Apple's location, and retrieved the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]] before him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:Roads lead to 5.png|thumb|254px|left|Cesare being arrested]]
Cesare's rule met a downward spiral from there. As a final stab from his father, Cesare had consumed enough of the poison to leave him weak for months. While he recovered, Ezio and the other Assassins used the Apple to dwindle his remaining forces, while the [[Vatican]] meanwhile fully rejected Cesare's request for support, seeing the Borgia's money as "tainted."<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Cesare sent Micheletto to retrieve his armies from the battlefield in order to reclaim Rome, however, he was confronted by the highest-ranking Assassins as he awaited his return. As the last of his followers fell, Fabio Orsini arrived with the Papal Guard and a warrant for Cesare's arrest by the order of [[Julius II|Pope Julius II]]. Cesare was taken away, imprisoned, and later exiled to [[Spain]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

===From Rome to Spain===
Subsequently following his arrest, Cesare was imprisoned in the Castel Sant'Angelo. However, he was able to escape the prison and flee. Though Cesare was later recaptured, Pope Julius II concluded that Cesare needed to be transferred to a more secure prison, and had the Templar moved to the [[Castillo de la Mota]], {{Wiki|Aragon}}, in Spain. Though Ezio had intended to kill Cesare despite his imprisonment, he was unaware of where Cesare had been transferred. He, Machiavelli, and Leonardo began tracking him down, while Micheletto, who had evaded imprisonment and remained loyal to Cesare, planned for his master's escape.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

In 1506, Micheletto bribed a prison guard at the Castillo. Having had rope smuggled in for him, Cesare climbed down from his window and snuck past the main gate in his stolen guard uniform. Meeting with Micheletto, he was informed that Ezio was currently tracking him, though he said nothing on the matter. Micheletto then told his master that he had made arrangements in [[Valencia]]. With this, Cesare made his escape, and rode to Valencia with Micheletto.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

===Attack on Valencia===
{{Dialogue2|Cesare|You got me out of La Mota, sure, and you up my hopes. But now look where you have got me!|Micheletto|Master, all my men are dead. I have done what I could.|And failed!|Cesare before bursting into a tirade about Micheletto and killing him, Valencia, 1506.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
Following his escape, Cesare began to rebuild his forces in Valencia, with men volunteering to enter his service and setting up a large military encampment. Whilst Cesare was raising a small army, he spent most of his time coordinating battle tactics at the [[Lone Wolf Inn]]. Ezio and Machiavelli soon discovered this, however, and were able to destroy the encampment and twelve ships with Leonardo's [[hand-held bomb]]s.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

Later, they spied on him from the roof of the Lone Wolf. Cesare blamed Micheletto for the Assassins' attack, and insulted him as a dog, remarking that he should find somewhere to die. During his tirade against Micheletto, Cesare claimed that he would cross the borders and join his brother-in-law, King [[John III of Navarre]] to seek his aid.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

Though Micheletto begged Cesare, and reminded him of his loyal service, Cesare continued to insult him. However, this rebounded on Cesare, as Micheletto, realizing how much his service meant to his ungrateful master, attempted to murder Cesare by strangling him. However, Cesare was able to shove Micheletto away and shoot him in the head, killing him. Ezio and Machiavelli, who had watched the scene unfold, made a noise from above. Cesare, who heard this, fired his rifle and wounded Machiavelli.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

Ezio then took Machiavelli to a [[Doctors|doctor]] instead of attacking Cesare, giving the Templar a chance to escape Valencia and cross the borders to the Kingdom of Navarre.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>

===Siege of Viana and death===
{{Quote|I will lead mankind into a new world! You cannot kill me! No man can murder me!|Cesare Borgia's last words, 1507.|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood}}

[[File:PaxR 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Cesare fighting Ezio in Viana]]
In March of 1507, Cesare tried to regain his lost honor by commandeering John III's vast army during the [[Siege of Viana|Siege]] of [[Viana]], after which, should he be victorious, he would regain the support of the French. However, unbeknownst to him, Ezio caught wind of Cesare's involvement in the battle and set out for Viana.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

During the siege, Ezio located and charged Cesare on the battlefield, though Cesare held him back just long enough to dodge his [[Hidden Blade]] and flee. Ezio's pursuit was delayed by several cannonball impacts that stunned him, and incapacitated the other soldiers in the area.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

[[File:PaxR 6.png|thumb|250px|right|Ezio letting Cesare fall to his death]]
Ezio soon caught up to him on the outskirts of the castle walls, where Cesare had his soldiers kill a [[Civilians|civilian]] woman, who was crying for him to help her son, who had been injured. Ezio eventually faced Cesare on the walls of [[Viana Castle|Viana's Castle]] and fought against him, with Cesare wielding a sword and a pistol.

Though Cesare attacked with speed and skill, while also periodically calling reinforcing troops, Ezio nevertheless defeated him, eventually pinning him to the ground. When Cesare vowed not to die at the hands of man, Ezio declared that he would leave Cesare ''"in the hands of Fate,"'' and threw him off of the castle wall to his death.

==Personality==
Cesare was born into the Templar Order and, like many of his siblings, was raised by his father into his personal weapon. However, Cesare was naturally an aggressive and ambitious person, and would do anything - including having his own family or friends murdered - in order to obtain power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Ascendance"/>

[[File:CCrasher 5.png|thumb|250px|left|Cesare and Lucrezia kissing]]
Cesare maintained an incestuous relationship with his sister, Lucrezia Borgia and promised her that she would be his queen when he ruled Italy. As such, he frequently descended into jealous rage due to her many dalliances with other men (whom she would normally woo in order to spite her unfaithful brother).<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

However, in his attempts to discover the location of the Apple, Cesare physically assaulted her, answering her tearful question if he had ever loved her by saying, ''"You are my sister, nothing more."''<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Over time, Cesare came to believe that no mortal man could kill him, and that he would lead mankind into a new era; a belief that he held onto until the moment of his death.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Final words==
[[File:Ezio Cesare.png|thumb|250px|right|Cesare's final moments]]
*'''Cesare''': ''The throne was mine!''
*'''Ezio''': ''Wanting something does not make it your right.''
*'''Cesare''': ''What do you know?''
*'''Ezio''': ''That a true leader empowers the people he rules.''
*'''Cesare''': ''I will lead mankind into a new world!''
*'''Ezio''': Che nessuno ricordi il tuo nome. ''(May no one remember your name.)'' Requiescat in pace. ''(Rest in peace.)''
*'''Cesare''': ''You cannot kill me. No man can murder me!''
*'''Ezio''': ''Then I leave you in the hands of Fate.''

==Trivia==
'''Appearance and behavior'''
*In [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|the novelization of ''Brotherhood'']], Cesare's face had been apparently deformed by the "New Disease," and he had resorted to wearing a mask. However, in the game, he is never seen with either said deformity or mask.
**Historically, Cesare was infected by the recent outbreak of syphilis and resorted to wearing a mask in public.
*According to the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel, Cesare excelled at bullfighting. Machiavelli believed he showed such an interest in the sport due to its origins in Spain, and his aggressive nature.
*Historically, Cesare fathered 11 illegitimate children, some of whose mothers remain unknown.

'''Combat'''
*Despite being shown to be adept with a [[crossbow]] in both ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]'', Cesare never wields the weapon in ''Brotherhood''.
*Since Cesare is immune to executions or counters, and will even harm Ezio if he tries to counter-kill, he can only be killed by breaking his defense and attacking repeatedly. Ezio may also shoot him with his [[Hidden Gun|pistol]].

'''Others'''
*His given name "Cesare" is pronounced in Italian as "Cheh-ser-ay." It is the Italian variation of the name Caesar.
*Cesare's comments about bloodshed and the need for "a cleansing" is strikingly similar to the source of [[Abstergo Industries|Abstergo]]'s name, which is Latin for "I cleanse."
*Historically, it is said that Niccolò Machiavelli greatly admired Cesare. However, in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', while Machiavelli respects his ability to enforce his will, he also seeks to eliminate Cesare and his [[House of Borgia|family members]] alongside Ezio. Despite this, he does write a book based partially on Cesare's political life.
*Cesare has been compared to other Roman Templar rulers. Giovanni Borgia relived the memories of [[Marcus Junius Brutus]] through the [[Bleeding Effect]] and mistook Cesare for [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], attempting to kill Cesare with a knife.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy"/> Ezio Auditore compared Cesare to [[Caligula]], due to the similarities in their arrogant, narcissistic personalities.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel"/>
*When replaying the memory in Viana, after the cutscene in which Ezio drops Cesare from the castle walls, his body can be seen when looking down from the battlements before the memory fades out.
*When talking to Shaun in the Sanctuary, he says that Cesare sent the Pope a letter about the night of his wedding with his French wife and that he had "done the deed eight times."
*In the novelization, Cesare’s personal crest was described as "two red bulls quartered with fleur-de-lis", the coat of arms of Duke of Valentinois. In-game, he wasn't given a personal crest.
*Cesare is mentioned in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' during "[[The Prince's Banquet]]", where Ezio is disguised as a minstrel and sings about Cesare's death.
*There is an action figure of Cesare available, supplied by the UK branch of the Amazon retailer.
*Cesare is represented in two [[mnemonic sets]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]'': the "Borgia Family" set, and the "[[Shroud of Eden|Shroud of Turin]]" set.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Cesare Borgia Artwork.png|Cesare's concept art
Gallery7.jpg|Cesare's portrait in the Tiber Island hideout
CesareFiora.png|Cesare watching his brother's death
ACB Cesare Baron.png|Cesare and Octavian de Valois
CCrasher 4.png|Cesare and his allies in Castel Sant'Angelo
The Apple 3.png|Cesare being protected by Papal Guards from Ezio Auditore
Apple_a_day_6.png|Cesare demanding the location of the Apple from Lucrezia
PaxR_5.png|Cesare battling Ezio at the Siege of Viana
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{ACBH}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Cesare}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood assassination targets]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel) characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Recollection characters]]
[[Category:House of Borgia]]
[[Category:Cardinals]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Grand Masters of the Templar Order]]
[[Category:Pieces of Eden wielders]]
[[Category:Historical characters]]

Rodrigo Borgia

2013-05-08T16:50:40Z

24.184.48.238:

{{Era|AC2|ACB|PL|ACRE|Renaissance|Bbook|ACL|ASD|Templars|Featured}}
{{WP-REAL|Pope Alexander VI}}
{{Quote|He is Rodrigo Borgia, one of the most powerful men in all of Europe, and leader of the [[Templars|Templar Order]].|Mario Auditore to his nephew, Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Rodrigo Borgia
|image = ACB Rodrigo render.png
|imgdesc =
|birth = 1 January 1431 {{Wiki|Xàtiva}}, {{Wiki|Kingdom of Valencia}}, {{Wiki|Crown of Aragon}}, {{Wiki|Spain}}
|death = 18 August 1503 (aged [[72]]) [[Rome]], {{Wiki|Papal States}}
|period = [[Renaissance]]
|faction = [[House of Borgia|Borgia]] [[Templars]] [[Papacy]]
|appear = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage|Lineage]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance|Renaissance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|Ascendance]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy|Project Legacy]]'' ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Brotherhood'' novel]] ''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''
|actor = [[Manuel Tadros]]
|voice = Manuel Tadros}}
'''Rodrigo Borgia''' (1431 – 1503), born '''Roderic Llançol''', later '''Roderic de Borja i Borja''', was a [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Cardinals|cardinal]] and the [[Grand Master]] of the [[Templars|Templar Order]] during the Rennaissance from 1476 until his death. He was the father of [[Juan Borgia the Younger|Juan]], [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], [[Lucrezia Borgia|Lucrezia]], and [[Jofré Borgia]], as well as grandfather to [[Giovanni Borgia]].

Rodrigo was [[Papacy|Pope]] from 1492 to 1503, and was known as '''Alexander VI'''. He was one of the most controversial Popes of the Renaissance, and his surname became synonymous for the corrupt standards of the Papacy in that era.

==Biography==
===Early life===
Roderic Llançol was born at {{Wiki|Xàtiva}} in the Kingdom of Valencia, one of the component states of the Crown of Aragon, present-day Spain. His parents were Jofré Llançol i Escrivá, and his wife and relative Isabel de Borja. His family name was written Llançol in Valencian and Lanzol in Spanish. After the elevation of Roderic's maternal uncle Alonso de Borja to the Papacy as {{Wiki|Pope Callixtus III|Callixtus III}} in 1455, Roderic was adopted into his mother's family name of Borja.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI">{{Wiki|Pope Alexander VI|''Wikipedia:'' Pope Alexander VI}}</ref>

===As a cardinal===
Rodrigo de Borgia studied law at Bologna, and was successively made bishop, cardinal, and vice-chancellor of the church, all of which were nepotistic appointments characteristic of the age. He served in the Roman Curia under five Popes (his uncle, Callixtus III, Pius II, Paul II, [[Sixtus IV]] and Innocent VIII) and acquired much administrative experience, influence, and wealth, though not great power.<ref name="Wikipedia: Pope Alexander VI"/>

By the time Rodrigo was under Pope [[Sixtus IV]], he had become the Grand Master of the Templar Order in 1458. In this position, he aspired to unite all of [[Italy]] under the Templar banner. In order to achieve that goal, he made plans to take down the leaders of Italy's main cities, and place his own men in power.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage">''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''</ref>

===Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza===
Rodrigo devised a plan to eliminate [[Galeazzo Maria Sforza]], the Duke of Milan, in which [[Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani]], [[Carlo Visconti]] and [[Gerolamo Olgiati]] would kill Sforza on the day of Santo Stefano.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

One night in December of 1476, Rodrigo was on his way to leave [[Florence]] accompanied by several of his men. Suddenly, [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni Auditore]], a member of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]], intercepted him. Rodrigo fled immediately as the Assassin battled his men.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Hidden behind a corner, Rodrigo witnessed Giovanni capture one of his men, who later revealed the planned assassination of Galeazzo Sforza, a powerful ally of [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]. Giovanni attempted to prevent the assassination, though he arrived too late to do so. Rodrigo's plan had succeeded, and so he began to devise his next scheme.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

===Auditore execution===
Giovanni Auditore learned that Rodrigo's plans would lead him to the city of [[Venice]], after looting a Venetian ducat from Giovanni Lampugnani. Upon traveling there, he intercepted a message from [[Marco Barbarigo|Marco]] and [[Silvio Barbarigo]] to their master, Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:Tadros.jpg|thumb|250px|Rodrigo walking through Rome]]
After [[Uberto Alberti]] and [[Antonio Maffei]] "failed" to decode the intercepted letter, the [[House of Medici|Medici]] and Uberto sent Giovanni to carry a copied version of the message to [[Rome]], in order to discover who was behind the plot. Arriving in the city, Giovanni handed the message to a man, and followed the letter as it passed through several hands before meeting its final destination: Rodrigo Borgia.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Rodrigo then left to see Pope Sixtus IV, hoping to obtain military support in order to conquer Florence. After gaining Sixtus' favor, Rodrigo headed out of the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]], and into the streets of Rome once more.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Giovanni was still on Rodrigo's trail, and followed him all the way into the [[Basilica di San Pietro|St. Peter's Basilica]]. However, he fell into an ambush set by Rodrigo, who had known of the Assassin following him. Rodrigo tried to offer Giovanni a position among the Templars, but the Assassin refused, stating that Rodrigo would be dead before he could see the Templars' fantasy become reality.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>

Disappointed, Rodrigo had his men attack Giovanni, but the Assassin routed all of them. Rodrigo, who had been watching from the sidelines, threw a [[Throwing knives|knife]] at Giovanni, which hit him in the chest. Rodrigo then took the chance to flee the Basilica. Afterwards, he discussed the next step in his plan with his Templar brothers, and all agreed that they had to dispose of Giovanni Auditore.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Lineage"/>
[[File:LMS 10 v.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo with Uberto Alberti at the Auditore execution]]
In order to get rid of Giovanni, Rodrigo conspired with Uberto Alberti and the [[House of Pazzi|Pazzi family]]. After careful planning, the Templars were able to frame Giovanni for the crimes of treason, and had him and two of his sons arrested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

The night before the trial of the [[House of Auditore|Auditore family]], Rodrigo was at Uberto's house. [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], Giovanni's remaining son, came by to give Uberto his father's letters that would prove him innocent. Ezio noticed Rodrigo behind Uberto, but paid no further attention to him. The following morning, Rodrigo attended the judgment and execution of Giovanni, [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio Auditore]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Pazzi Conspiracy===
{{Quote|Gentlemen. Tomorrow, a new sun rises over Firenze.|Rodrigo encouraging the Pazzi conspirators.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Novella's Secret 6.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo discussing the Pazzi conspiracy]]
In 1478, Rodrigo conspired to take down the leader of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, and his brother [[Giuliano de' Medici|Giuliano]]. With this, Rodrigo left for [[San Gimignano]], where he held a meeting with [[Francesco de' Pazzi|Francesco]], [[Jacopo de' Pazzi|Jacopo]], and [[Vieri de' Pazzi]]. Rodrigo left the town just before the [[mercenaries]], led by [[Mario Auditore]] and his nephew Ezio, attacked. Their assault resulted in the death of Vieri de' Pazzi.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Not long after that, Rodrigo met with Francesco and Jacopo de'Pazzi, Antonio Maffei, [[Bernardo Baroncelli]], [[Stefano da Bagnone]] and [[Francesco Salviati]] in a catacomb under the Basilica of [[Santa Maria Novella]]. As the Pazzi conspirators confirmed their plan to Rodrigo, he reminded them to beware of the Assassins, and stated that the next day would be ''"a new dawn" ''for Florence<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Ezio thwarted the Templars' attempted takeover in Florence and killed off the remaining conspirators Rodrigo was arranged to meet with in San Gimignano, where the Pazzi originally intended to request asylum with Rodrigo in either Venice or Rome. Jacopo was the only one to arrive at the meeting and claimed that the blame for the failure rested with his nephew, for his impatience, and with [[Emilio Barbarigo]], for supplying the Pazzi troops with sub-standard weaponry. Enraged by Jacopo's sniveling excuses, Rodrigo lectured his subordinate on his failure, then stabbed him in the abdomen, aided by an eager Emilio.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ignoring Jacopo's pleas for mercy, Rodrigo stabbed him a second time in the neck with his sword, then called out to Ezio who had tailed Jacopo to the meeting. Grabbed by Borgia guards, Ezio was brought into Rodrigo's sight. Sarcastically apologizing for killing Jacopo for him, Rodrigo mocked Ezio, saying that he had been doing this for far longer than the [[novice]] Assassin. He then ordered his men to kill him, and left without bothering to ensure the deed was done.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Venetian Conspiracy===
{{Quote|I feel the need to involve myself more directly. The Pazzi disappointed us in Firenze. I pray you will not do the same.|Rodrigo, about personally attending the meeting.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:BoF 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo on the [[Ponte di Rialto]] with the other Templars]]
Soon after the Florentine attempt failed, Rodrigo returned his attention to conducting his plans for Venice. In 1485, he met with [[Carlo Grimaldi]] and the [[House of Barbarigo|Barbarigo family]] to plan the murder of the current Doge, [[Giovanni Mocenigo]], in order for them to seize control of Venice. During the meeting, Rodrigo chastised the Venetian Templars for making their own plans, rebuking them for their ''"inane prattle"'' as they argued over who would be the new Doge after they took Venice. He then silenced their debates by appointing Marco Barbarigo as the next Doge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

During this meeting, Marco questioned Rodrigo's presence in Venice, as Ezio was also there, but Rodrigo only replied that he felt he should see out their plans personally, particularly after the failure of the Pazzi conspiracy. Warning the Venetian tyrants of the Assassin that haunted their city, he then made his departure from Venice to Rome, allowing them to carry out his plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Shipping the Apple of Eden===
{{Quote|You claim not to be a believer. And yet, here you are... Don't you see him? The Prophet is already here... I AM the Prophet. Now give me the Apple.|Rodrigo upon confronting Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Play along 2.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo in Venice]]
By 1486, Rodrigo had found out by his Templar comrade, [[Cem]], that the Piece of Eden he sought was [[Ezio's Apple of Eden|the Apple]], which was hidden on [[Cyprus]],<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Recollection">''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''</ref> so he sent a battalion of his men to retrieve it. Two years later, the men returned to [[Arsenale di Venezia|L'Arsenale]] with the artifact, and Rodrigo met with the courier who was to deliver it to him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, prior to this, Ezio had intercepted the delivery and had disguised himself as the carrier of the artifact, in order to find and kill Rodrigo. Rodrigo was not surprised, and readied himself to deal with Ezio personally. The two exchanged a brief conversation, in which Rodrigo claimed himself to be the Prophet, who was said to be the only one who could open the fabled [[Vatican Vault|Vault]]. The two then began an intense battle, in which Ezio ultimately emerged as the victor.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Realizing that he could not defeat Ezio on his own, Rodrigo called in a supply of guards to overwhelm him. Suddenly, many of Ezio's allies appeared, all of whom revealed themselves to be Assassins. They held off the guards to allow Ezio to re-challenge Rodrigo, who then escaped from them before Ezio could kill him, leaving the Apple in the hands of the Assassins.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

That same year, Rodrigo found out that the late [[Girolamo Riario]] had created a map marking where all the [[Codex]] pages could be found, thus he hired the [[House of Orsi|Orsi brothers]] to retrieve it from Riario's city of [[Forlì]]. The Orsi discovered that Riario's wife, [[Caterina Sforza]], also had the Apple, and so they laid [[Battle of Forlì|siege]] to the city and took the artifact by force, planning to present it to Rodrigo for an extra pay-off.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Unfortunately for Rodrigo, Ezio managed to kill both of the Orsi brothers, though the Apple eventually came into the hands of [[Girolamo Savonarola]], a later arch-enemy of Rodrigo.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

===Deceiving Torquemada===
{{Dialogue|Ezio|Rodrigo Borgia is an unbeliever like me, and yet you lavish him with favors.|Torquemada|Borgia is one of three Papal candidates this year. And he is as devoted to God as I am.|Ezio and Torquemada talking about Rodrigo.|Assassin's Creed II: Discovery}}
In 1491, Rodrigo fooled the Spanish Inquisitor General [[Tomás de Torquemada]] into capturing and killing Assassins in Spain. Tomás, who thought Rodrigo was as much as a believer of God as he was, blindly followed his orders.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery">''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''</ref>

At around this time, Rodrigo also found out about [[Christoffa Corombo]]'s plans to sail west; however he, knowing of the presence of the [[United States|Americas]] and the treasures that lay there, wished to stop anyone from finding it before he could. For this, Rodrigo arranged a meeting with Christoffa in Venice, and laid a trap for him there.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

However, Christoffa's friend, [[Luis de Santángel]], was suspicious of the arrangement, and called for the aid of his fellow Assassin, Ezio. Ezio rushed to Christoffa's aid, successfully rescuing him from an assassin and thwarted Rodrigo's plans.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II: Discovery"/>

===Papal rule===
{{Quote|The Spaniard, Rodrigo Borgia, has been elected Pope. He rules the Vatican and Rome as the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander VI! [...] The rumour is that Rodrigo simply bought most of the votes. Even [[Ascanio Sforza]], who was the most likely candidate standing against him, voted for him!|[[Sister Teodora]] talking about Rodrigo becoming Pope.|Assassin's Creed: Renaissance}}
Rodrigo was elected Pope in 1492, and established his power in Rome. Rodrigo's true intent, however, was simply to get into the Vault that lay under the Vatican, where he believed God rested.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

In 1494, with the death of Lorenzo de' Medici, and with the power of the Apple he had obtained, Savonarola [[Bonfire of the Vanities|took control]] over Florence. Rodrigo repeatedly sent his men to Florence in the hopes of acquiring the Apple, though all of his attempts failed. In 1498, Savonarola was assassinated by Ezio, causing the Borgia family to fall into a state of chaos upon losing track of the Apple.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/><ref name="Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref>
[[File:IBAL 4.png|thumb|250px|Ezio confronting Rodrigo in the Vatican]]
In 1499, Rodrigo was followed into the Vatican by Ezio for yet another assassination attempt. Ezio infiltrated the [[Cappella Sistina|Sistine Chapel]], where Rodrigo was holding Mass, and attacked him from above. However, after turning to leave, Ezio witnessed Rodrigo rise from the ground and use his Piece of Eden, the [[Staves of Eden|Papal Staff]], to strike him down, along with everyone else in the room.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Rodrigo was surprised to see that Ezio was able to resist the power of his Staff, as Ezio had brought his own Piece of Eden: the Apple. Ezio then summoned four clones of himself to assist in his battle against Rodrigo, eventually defeating him.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

However, Rodrigo knocked Ezio aside with the Staff, and snatched the Apple from his hands. He then combined it with the Staff to open up the door to the Vault, and as Ezio tried to stop him, Rodrigo lifted him into the air with the power of the two combined Pieces of Eden.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>
[[File:IBAL 9.png|thumb|left|250px|Rodrigo using the power of the Staff on Ezio]]
As the Assassin hung helpless, Rodrigo stabbed Ezio with a dagger, and left him to die on the floor of the Sistine Chapel. Though injured, Ezio eventually followed Rodrigo to the Vault, and found the Pope furiously pounding upon the door to the inner chambers, which refused to open.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Ezio then dropped down into the pit where Rodrigo was, and challenged him to one last [[Fists|fist fight]], with no more weapons, plots, or decoys. Rodrigo accepted, and the two had one last duel. During the battle, Rodrigo stated that he had never believed in the Bible or in God, and had only become Pope to gain access to the Staff and the Vault, and to unify Italy under Templar rule. Ezio defeated Rodrigo, holding the Pope at blade-point and telling him he was not the Prophet, and had never been.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

Broken by this revelation and accepting defeat, Rodrigo told Ezio to kill him and put an end to it. However, Ezio refused, saying that killing him would not bring back his family. Additionally, the knowledge that he was not the Prophet, as he had believed, was an even sorer blow than anything else that Ezio could have thought of.<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/>

When Rodrigo's son Cesare learned of this, he led a [[Fall of Monteriggioni|siege]] on [[Monteriggioni]], though without Rodrigo's approval, in order to reacquire the Apple of Eden and kill the last of the Assassins. By this time, Rodrigo was reduced to nothing but a figurehead, with Cesare ultimately taking over Rome.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

===Later life and death===
{{Quote|You risk upsetting the delicate balance of control we have worked so hard to tighten.|Rodrigo talking about the consequences of his son's actions.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In and Out 8.png|thumb|250px|Rodrigo and Cesare talking at the Pagan party]]
Following his defeat in the Vault, Rodrigo had given up on fighting the Assassin Order and instead chose to preserve the balance of power in Rome he had managed to obtain. However, Cesare was eager to take over all of Italy, a plan that Rodrigo did not approve of. As the Captain General of the Papal armies, however, Cesare held control over Rodrigo's military, and so he was able to carry out his plans without his father's consent.

A string of bad luck followed Rodrigo after the events in the Vault: in June 1500, an iron steeple from the roof of St. Peter's fell a few feet away from where he was walking. The next day, he was in a room in the Vatican that collapsed and killed everyone around him: only a piece of canopy wedged above him saved his life. A few weeks later, he grew ill from fever, and at the end of year, he was charged by a stag during a hunting trip.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

In 1503, at [[Juan Borgia the Elder|Juan Borgia]]'s pagan party, Rodrigo spoke to Cesare and reprimanded him, only to have his son brush aside his concerns and remind him of who was ''truly'' in charge.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

Later that year, Rodrigo had grown heavily displeased with Cesare's ambition and entitlement, believing his son to be out of control. Fearing Cesare would jeopardize his own balance of power, Rodrigo decided that his best option would be to remove Cesare.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>
[[File:Apple a day 5.png|thumb|left|250px|Cesare killing Rodrigo]]
To achieve this, he seized the Castel's supply of [[cantarella]] – the same poison that had been used for Doge Mocenigo – and poisoned a few apples for Cesare to unwittingly eat. However, Rodrigo's daughter Lucrezia discovered the presence of the poison, and warned Cesare about it before he could ingest enough for the toxin to kill him. Enraged, Cesare promptly spat out what he had eaten, before shoving the remaining apple down Rodrigo's throat. Rodrigo perished before Ezio arrived to kill him, but Ezio nevertheless gave Rodrigo his final blessing.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/>

==Legacy==
During the 21st century, members of the Templar inner circle thought of Rodrigo Borgia as a debased tyrant instead of a respected Grand Master. Instead of spreading knowledge to enlighten his fellow man and break down the boundaries that keep men divided, Rodrigo used his power and position as Grand Master to corrupt the Templar purpose into gaining infinite power by any means.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

True Templar motives were questionable, but they intended to serve the greater good; Rodrigo however wanted power for the sake of it, and saw total domination over all as his prize. The Borgia's leadership over the Order would later be known as the "Dark Age of the Order."<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

==Personality==
{{Quote|It's not approval I'm after. Just power.|Rodrigo, while dueling with Ezio.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:In_Bocca_Al_Lupo_16.png|thumb|250px|right|Rodrigo challenging Ezio in the Sistine Chapel]]
Initially an ambitious middle-aged man, Rodrigo was intent, as Cesare later would be, on taking Italy in the name of the Templar Order and exterminating the Assassins. After becoming Pope, his obsession not only with conquering Italy but also of realizing what he believed to be his true calling as the Prophet intensified. He actively sought to take the Apple from Savonarola, as demonstrated when he sent battalions of his family's soldiers to Florence to retrieve it.

After his duel with Ezio in the Vault, and the shattering revelation that he was not the Prophet, Rodrigo was reduced to being an empty shell, and instead of continuing to pursue his dreams of infinite power and the extermination of the Assassin Order, he focused on maintaining his monopoly over Rome.

==Final words==
After Ezio's first assassination attempt:
*'''Ezio:''' ''I thought... I thought I was beyond this. But I'm not. I've waited too long, lost too much... Requiescat in pace'' (Rest in peace), ''you bastard.''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''I don't think so.''

After Ezio's and Rodrigo's confrontation at the Vault:
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''You can't! You can't! It's MY destiny. MINE! I am the Prophet!''
*'''Ezio:''' ''You never were...''
*'''Rodrigo:''' ''Get it over with then.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''...No. Killing you won't bring my family back... I'm done. Nulla è reale, tutto è lecito. Requiescat in pace.'' (Nothing is true, everything is permitted. Rest in peace.)

==Trivia==
[[File:Blason famille it Borgia01.png|thumb|The coat of arms of the Borgia, which can be seen on Rodrigo's personal guards]]
*Rodrigo was called "the Spaniard" by the Assassins, due to his Spanish origins.
*During some of Rodrigo's appearances, a dim red lighting effect could be seen on Rodrigo's hood and upper body, even though there was no source for this light.
*Historically, Pope Alexander VI ordered the execution of Savonarola, the mad monk of Florence.
*In the simulated training map of [[Castel Gandolfo]] in the [[Animi Training Program]], portraits of Rodrigo could be seen on the walls of the location's interior.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', while Ezio was disguised as a minstrel, he sang a song about Rodrigo before and after he became Pope.
*In the ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' novel, Giovanni Auditore mentions Rodrigo indirectly, implying him as the new Grand Master, "A man in Rome has taken command of our enemies who is perhaps the greatest power you and I will ever know."

;Combat
*When Ezio entered the Sistine Chapel to assassinate Rodrigo, he was proclaiming the Nicene Creed in Latin to the congregation. Ironically, Rodrigo later stated that he did not believe the concept of the Nicene Creed, which confesses the wholeness of the Roman Catholic doctrine.
*It is possible to kill Rodrigo while in the Sistine Chapel, if Ezio [[Poison blade|poisoned]] him. After this, the Assassin could wield the Staff of Eden, although he could not use any of its powers.
*Occasionally, during the fight with Rodrigo in the Sistine Chapel, he could be seen as wielding a spear instead of the Staff.
*Although Ezio did not kill Rodrigo, he was listed as dead in the [[Animus]]' Conspirator Web after [[Desmond Miles]] completed the main memories of ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' and re-entered the Animus.

;Papacy
[[File:Papal Arms of Alexander VI.svg|thumb|Papal coat of arms of Alexander VI, which can be seen on his [[Papal Guard]]]]
*Rodrigo was the first Pope to be elected from a conclave in the Sistine Chapel.
*In Rodrigo's assassination target video, there was a scene with Rodrigo in his Papal robes standing next to his fellow Templars, who were seated at a table. This was impossible, because by the time Rodrigo became Pope, Ezio had killed all the other Templars present. The Pazzi, the Barbarigo, and Carlo Grimaldi, for example, were shown at the table.
*In the assassination target video for the Orsi brothers set in 1488, in the [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|''Battle of Forlì'' DLC]], Rodrigo was again shown in his Papal robes, even though he was elected Pope in 1492.

;Death
*Rodrigo's fate in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' differed from that shown in ''Assassin's Creed II''. In the game, after Ezio defeated and spared him, Rodrigo was left alone to come to terms with his misery as Ezio entered the Vault. In the novel, however, when Ezio emerged from the Vault, Rodrigo committed suicide with poison. His last act was to ask Ezio what he saw in the Vault, to which Ezio replied ''"Nothing. No one,"'' leading him to die believing everything he had done in life was for nothing.
**In the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|novelization of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']], however, Rodrigo evidently survived this suicide attempt, and Mario Auditore suggested that he had not taken enough poison, or that he had been faking.
*Rodrigo died at the age of [[72]], a recurring factor in the ''Assassin's Creed'' series.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
Borgia lineage.jpg|Rodrigo hiding from Giovanni Auditore in Florence
Rodrigo Borgia V.png|Rodrigo, before becoming Pope
Gallery3.jpg|Rodrigo's portrait at Tiber island
CU Rodrigo Borgia Before Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo before becoming Pope
CU Rodrigo Borgia Pope.jpg|Original concept art of Rodrigo after becoming Pope
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{AC2}}
{{ACB}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borgia, Rodrigo}}
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Lineage characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Renaissance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed II assassination targets]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel) characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Ascendance characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy characters]]
[[Category:Assassin's Creed: Recollection characters]]
[[Category:House of Borgia]]
[[Category:Cardinals]]
[[Category:Templars]]
[[Category:Grand Masters of the Templar Order]]
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Pieces of Eden wielders]]
[[Category:Historical characters]]