| *'''Danny Wallace:''' ''London, the 1st of September 1888. A woman's body is laid out on a slab at the Old Montague Street mortuary. A young man has come to identify the body through his tears. It is his mother, who was found lying dead in the middle of the night two days earlier on the cobbled streets of {{Wiki|Durward Street|Buck's Row}}, one of the seedy, reeking passages around Whitechapel. Her killer strangled her, then, in a fit of striking brutality, slit her throat right down to her vertebrae, before slicing deeply into her stomach. At any other time, the murdered woman, a homeless [[Courtesan|prostitute]], would have had no more than half a column in the tabloids before decomposing away to general indifference. The case would have been quickly closed. [[Mary Ann Nichols]], though, would not be soon forgotten. She will be forever remembered as the first victim of Jack the Ripper. The murderer, a nightmare for Victorian England, remains the most famous serial killer in history, more than 130 years after his crimes. Jack the Ripper, though, is a faceless killer. Despite the ''countless'' legends he's inspired, the mystery of his identity has never been solved.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode three, Jack the Ripper.<br><br>At the end of the 19th century, London was leading the world. The capital city of the [[British Empire|empire]] on which the sun never sets dominated the global economy. Its 4 million inhabitants made it the most populous city on the planet. To the west, in affluent neighborhoods like [[Piccadilly Circus]], the ruling classes flaunted their wealth. The east end, however, was at the opposite end of the spectrum, where slums were rife with those the prosperous Empire refused to touch. Unemployed, prostitutes, young criminals, and penniless immigrants, all of whom survived amid the utter indifference of high society. Their misery blended into the thick, polluted London fog. It took a series of sordid murders, including that of poor Mary Ann Nichols, for the light to shine all the way down here.<br><br>From Buck's Row, where the first body was found, {{Wiki|Hanbury Street}} is just a few minute's walk away. [[Annie Chapman]], 48, was one of the regular faces wandering this poorly-lit street as soon as night fell. For a few {{Wiki|Penny (British pre-decimal coin)|pence}}, the price of a {{Wiki|Client (prostitution)|trick}}, she could treat herself to a warm potato or spend the night in a pauper's shelter. On the 8th of September 1888, her lifeless body was found at dawn by a local resident at Number 29 Hanbury Street, lying in the backyard of a shabby back of flats. Like the first victim, her throat had been cut and she'd been viciously mutilated. The killer took his sadism further, this time, though. Not satisfied with taking her intestines, he also removed her vagina, uterus, and bladder. [[Scotland Yard]] assigned several of its [[Police|officers]] to the area, but the investigation led nowhere. Thousands of women, each in the same state of destitution, continued to sell their bodies in the streets of Whitechapel without a care in the world. Their nonchalance was fostered by the fact that the killer disappeared for almost three weeks...until night fell on the 29th of September, when he resurfaced. Twice. The first body, belonging to 45-year-old [[Elizabeth Stride]], was found in Berner Street a little after midnight. As a poor working girl, she was often seen in and around that street. Her throat was slit, but she was not mutilated; the killer must have been interrupted during his merciless ritual. Another body was then found less than an hour later, but this time, the killer seems to have taken his time to complete his frenzied attack. The face of [[Catherine Eddowes]], a 45-year-old, drunkard, had been entirely slashed open. Her throat was cut, she was disemboweled, and her intestines were placed next to her body. The pathologist even reported that a kidney was missing. This time, Scotland Yard was on the warpath. Hundreds of police officers swarmed over the two crime scenes and patrolled tirelessly around Whitechapel, looking for even the slightest clue. Catherine Eddowes' murder was particularly intriguing: it took place in [[Mitre Square]], a little open area just a few streets away from [[City of London|the City]]. How could the killer have committed such an atrocity in such a highly-frequented area with nobody noticing a thing?<br><br>The police chief, Sir {{Wiki|Charles Warren}}, was determined to arrest the bloodthirsty madman who had evaded capture for almost a month. He was further irritate by the fact that the killer was openly mocking the police. In {{Wiki|Dear Boss letter|a letter}} sent on the 25th of September 1888, the murderer boasted the following in red ink: ''"I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled."''<br><br>He signed it "Jack the Ripper". The {{Wiki|Central News Agency (London)|daily news}} decided to publish the letter in its first October issue, and Scotland Yard stuck up hundreds of copies around London, in the hope that someone would recognize the killer's handwriting. But, rather than helping the investigation, the posters created mass hysteria. Anxiety spread, fueled by questions that were left without answers. Who was this uncatchable criminal, flitting around with ghostly silence? Was he a [[doctor]]? A butcher? Or a vengeful spirit, come to punish women for walking the wrong path? When would he strike again? At least now, the mystery had a name: Jack the Ripper. The legend was born.<br><br>All available police resources were put on the case to unmask the serial killer. [[Raid]]s were organized in hovels and shelters, thousands of people were interrogated, with their whereabouts and alibis double-checked whenever there was the ''slightest'' doubt. But the investigation made no headway. Sir Charles Warren resigned on the 10th of November, his hand forced by {{Wiki|Henry Matthews, 1st Viscount Llandaff|his Minister}}. The night before, a fifth body had been found. After more than a month of inaction, Jack the Ripper had struck again at the very heart of Whitechapel. The tortured body of [[Mary Kelly|Mary Jane Kelly]], a 23-year-old prostitute, was found at her home, a cramped room at 13 {{Wiki|Dorset Street (Spitalfields)|Miller's Court}}. The autopsy report was not for the faint-hearted. Deep lacerations had disfigured her, she'd been disemboweled, and her breasts had been cut off. Worse still, her organs had been scattered around the room. The police and the forensic pathologists were more determined than ever. More than 80 suspects were arrested, but they were all released again due to lack of evidence. As the investigation ground to a halt, the general public expressed a pressing desire to help "solve" the mystery; every {{Wiki|Tom, Dick and Harry}} had their own theory. For those living in affluent neighborhoods, the Ripper must've come from the slums he was torturing, as depravity leads to depravity! Jack was therefore thought to be a travelling seaman, an [[alcohol]]ic laborer, a butcher, or a {{Wiki|knacker}}. A ''fine'' example of the hypocritical nature of [[Puritans|Puritanism]] in Victorian high society was the fact that most of these prostitutes' customers were known to come over from the well-to-do neighborhoods in the west end. For the poor, Jack bore the face of an aristocrat. A bipolar ''bourgeois'', he'd bleed his prim and proper during the day, and satisfy his murderous impulses at night, just like {{Wiki|Robert Louis Stevenson|Stevenson}}'s {{Wiki|Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (character)|Dr. Jekyll}}, who'd {{Wiki|Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde|emerged}} just two years before the murders. This hypothesis was supported by descriptions of the killer, albeit approximate, given by some witnesses. The fleeting figure they described was one of an elegant man from a ''chique'' area, wearing a top hat and a [[leather]] jacket, and finished off with a [[cape]].<br><br>Despite the description, time continued to pass in London, and the mystery deepened. In 1892, Scotland Yard admitted defeat. Four years of investigations had led nowhere useful, and no further victims had been found. Had Jack the Ripper committed suicide? Was he a foreigner who moved on? With the case closed, these questions would never be answered. But the legend lived on. Although Scotland Yard's case would remain forever unsolved, self-proclaimed investigators—some rather dishonest—regularly claimed to have "finally" solved the mystery. The end result is ''long'' list of suspects covering no less than 333 names, including celebrities such as ''{{Wiki|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland}}'' author [[Lewis Carroll]] and even {{Wiki|Richard Mansfield}}, the actor who played Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the theater.<br><br>One of the ''wildest'' theories was that put forward by Dr. {{Wiki|Thomas E. A. Stowell|Thomas Stowell}} in 1970. Despite having ''zero'' evidence, he claimed that the Whitechapel murderer was a member of the upper echelons of English aristocracy, suffering with {{Wiki|syphilis}} and madness. He claimed that the killer was committed to an asylum by his family in an attempt to protect him from the police after the first four murders, before he escaped to kill Mary Jane Kelly, the final victim. Although he did not give a name, Stowell insinuated that it was the {{Wiki|Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale|Duke of Clarence}}, an heir to the throne who died young in 1892, aged just 28 and for whom the rumor mill had already been running unfounded for a while. But this accusation was quickly refuted, as the young Duke was not in London at the time of the murders. Stowell agreed to withdraw his accusation and publicly apologized in a letter to ''{{Wiki|The Times}}'' on the 5th of November 1970. The paper published his letter four days later, but, in an incredible twist of fate, Stowell died the night before. This coincidence ensured that his speculation lived on in the minds of conspiracy theorists; some even openly claimed he was silenced.<br><br>More recently, on the 6th of September 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746321/Jack-Ripper-unmasked-How-amateur-sleuth-used-DNA-breakthrough-identify-Britains-notorious-criminal-126-years-string-terrible-murders.html|title=Jack the Ripper identified by amateur sleuth as Aaron Kosminski|author=Edwards, Russell|date=6 September 2014|publisher=''Daily Mail''|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907010815/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746321/Jack-Ripper-unmasked-How-amateur-sleuth-used-DNA-breakthrough-identify-Britains-notorious-criminal-126-years-string-terrible-murders.html|archivedate=7 September 2014|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> the ''{{Wiki|Daily Mail}}'' stated it had a world exclusive to reveal Jack the Ripper's true identity. It all started with Russell Edwards, a rich property developer who acquired a shawl said to have belonged to Catherine Eddowes, the fourth victim, at an auction.<ref name="ScienceBlog">{{Cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper|title=Does a new genetic analysis finally reveal the identity of Jack the Ripper?|author=Adam, David|date=15 March 2019|publisher=''{{Wiki|Science (journal)|Science}}''|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020161554/https://www.science.org/content/article/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper|archivedate=20 October 2021|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> Edwards had it examined by a molecular biology expert, who found traces of semen on the fabric.<ref>Louhelainen, Jari; Miller, David (12 March 2019). "Forensic Investigation of a Shawl Linked to the "Jack the Ripper" Murders". ''{{Wiki|Journal of Forensic Sciences}}''. '''65''' (1): 295–303. {{Wiki|Digital object identifier|DOI}}: [https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14038 10.1111/1556-4029.14038]. Retrieved on 15 January 2024</ref> The recovered DNA was then compared to that of one of the suspects, taken from a distant descendant. This analysis purportedly revealed that Jack the Ripper was none other than {{Wiki|Aaron Kosminski}}, a young [[Poland|Polish]]-[[Judaism|Jewish]] barber who lived in Whitechapel. The news caused a huge commotion, until {{Wiki|Alec Jeffreys|famous}} {{Wiki|Innsbruck Medical University|genetic researchers}} lambasted the method used by their colleague.<ref name="ScienceBlog"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/has-jack-the-rippers-identity-really-been-revealed-using-dna-evidence-9717036.html|title=Has Jack the Ripper's identity really been revealed using DNA evidence?|author=Connor, Steve|date=7 September 2014|publisher=''{{Wiki|The Independent}}''|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907202144/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/has-jack-the-rippers-identity-really-been-revealed-using-dna-evidence-9717036.html|archivedate=7 September 2014|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> Jack the Ripper specialists, known as "Ripperologists" since the 1970s, have also been debating another point: the killer's confession letter. The most serious of them claim that it was fake, invented by one Fredrick Best, a journalist at ''The Star''. This would make Jack the Ripper a pure fabrication, the best ever created to boost newspaper sales. Whether true or false, ''The Star'' saw its sales ''multiply'', ten-fold to reach 200,000 issues daily thanks to this series of crimes. Even today, Jack the Ripper is good for business. As a true modern legend, the serial killer has been a source of inspiration for literature and cinema, musicals, and of course, Halloween costumes; each new piece offers its own interpretation of his legend. In the game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'', Jack the Ripper is reinvented as a prince of crime in London. The game's [[Evie Frye|heroine]] stalks him tirelessly, ultimately [[Live by the Creed, Die by the Creed|killing him]]. Whether as part of a game or a wild theory, the quest to determine Jack the Ripper's identity continues to fascinate the masses. It's as if we absolutely ''need'' to put a name to these crimes in order to lay his ghost to rest. Do we really want to solve the case? Because in order for the legend to persist, we need to believe that Jack the Ripper could've been anyone. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' | | *'''Danny Wallace:''' ''London, the 1st of September 1888. A woman's body is laid out on a slab at the Old Montague Street mortuary. A young man has come to identify the body through his tears. It is his mother, who was found lying dead in the middle of the night two days earlier on the cobbled streets of {{Wiki|Durward Street|Buck's Row}}, one of the seedy, reeking passages around Whitechapel. Her killer strangled her, then, in a fit of striking brutality, slit her throat right down to her vertebrae, before slicing deeply into her stomach. At any other time, the murdered woman, a homeless [[Courtesan|prostitute]], would have had no more than half a column in the tabloids before decomposing away to general indifference. The case would have been quickly closed. [[Mary Ann Nichols]], though, would not be soon forgotten. She will be forever remembered as the first victim of Jack the Ripper. The murderer, a nightmare for Victorian England, remains the most famous serial killer in history, more than 130 years after his crimes. Jack the Ripper, though, is a faceless killer. Despite the ''countless'' legends he's inspired, the mystery of his identity has never been solved.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode three, Jack the Ripper.<br><br>At the end of the 19th century, London was leading the world. The capital city of the [[British Empire|empire]] on which the sun never sets dominated the global economy. Its 4 million inhabitants made it the most populous city on the planet. To the west, in affluent neighborhoods like [[Piccadilly Circus]], the ruling classes flaunted their wealth. The east end, however, was at the opposite end of the spectrum, where slums were rife with those the prosperous Empire refused to touch. Unemployed, prostitutes, young criminals, and penniless immigrants, all of whom survived amid the utter indifference of high society. Their misery blended into the thick, polluted London fog. It took a series of sordid murders, including that of poor Mary Ann Nichols, for the light to shine all the way down here.<br><br>From Buck's Row, where the first body was found, {{Wiki|Hanbury Street}} is just a few minute's walk away. [[Annie Chapman]], 48, was one of the regular faces wandering this poorly-lit street as soon as night fell. For a few {{Wiki|Penny (British pre-decimal coin)|pence}}, the price of a {{Wiki|Client (prostitution)|trick}}, she could treat herself to a warm potato or spend the night in a pauper's shelter. On the 8th of September 1888, her lifeless body was found at dawn by a local resident at Number 29 Hanbury Street, lying in the backyard of a shabby back of flats. Like the first victim, her throat had been cut and she'd been viciously mutilated. The killer took his sadism further, this time, though. Not satisfied with taking her intestines, he also removed her vagina, uterus, and bladder. [[Scotland Yard]] assigned several of its [[Police|officers]] to the area, but the investigation led nowhere. Thousands of women, each in the same state of destitution, continued to sell their bodies in the streets of Whitechapel without a care in the world. Their nonchalance was fostered by the fact that the killer disappeared for almost three weeks...until night fell on the 29th of September, when he resurfaced. Twice. The first body, belonging to 45-year-old [[Elizabeth Stride]], was found in Berner Street a little after midnight. As a poor working girl, she was often seen in and around that street. Her throat was slit, but she was not mutilated; the killer must have been interrupted during his merciless ritual. Another body was then found less than an hour later, but this time, the killer seems to have taken his time to complete his frenzied attack. The face of [[Catherine Eddowes]], a 45-year-old, drunkard, had been entirely slashed open. Her throat was cut, she was disemboweled, and her intestines were placed next to her body. The pathologist even reported that a kidney was missing. This time, Scotland Yard was on the warpath. Hundreds of police officers swarmed over the two crime scenes and patrolled tirelessly around Whitechapel, looking for even the slightest clue. Catherine Eddowes' murder was particularly intriguing: it took place in [[Mitre Square]], a little open area just a few streets away from [[City of London|the City]]. How could the killer have committed such an atrocity in such a highly-frequented area with nobody noticing a thing?<br><br>The police chief, Sir {{Wiki|Charles Warren}}, was determined to arrest the bloodthirsty madman who had evaded capture for almost a month. He was further irritate by the fact that the killer was openly mocking the police. In {{Wiki|Dear Boss letter|a letter}} sent on the 25th of September 1888, the murderer boasted the following in red ink: ''"I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled."''<br><br>He signed it "Jack the Ripper". The {{Wiki|Central News Agency (London)|daily news}} decided to publish the letter in its first October issue, and Scotland Yard stuck up hundreds of copies around London, in the hope that someone would recognize the killer's handwriting. But, rather than helping the investigation, the posters created mass hysteria. Anxiety spread, fueled by questions that were left without answers. Who was this uncatchable criminal, flitting around with ghostly silence? Was he a [[doctor]]? A butcher? Or a vengeful spirit, come to punish women for walking the wrong path? When would he strike again? At least now, the mystery had a name: Jack the Ripper. The legend was born.<br><br>All available police resources were put on the case to unmask the serial killer. [[Raid]]s were organized in hovels and shelters, thousands of people were interrogated, with their whereabouts and alibis double-checked whenever there was the ''slightest'' doubt. But the investigation made no headway. Sir Charles Warren resigned on the 10th of November, his hand forced by {{Wiki|Henry Matthews, 1st Viscount Llandaff|his Minister}}. The night before, a fifth body had been found. After more than a month of inaction, Jack the Ripper had struck again at the very heart of Whitechapel. The tortured body of [[Mary Kelly|Mary Jane Kelly]], a 23-year-old prostitute, was found at her home, a cramped room at 13 {{Wiki|Dorset Street (Spitalfields)|Miller's Court}}. The autopsy report was not for the faint-hearted. Deep lacerations had disfigured her, she'd been disemboweled, and her breasts had been cut off. Worse still, her organs had been scattered around the room. The police and the forensic pathologists were more determined than ever. More than 80 suspects were arrested, but they were all released again due to lack of evidence. As the investigation ground to a halt, the general public expressed a pressing desire to help "solve" the mystery; every {{Wiki|Tom, Dick and Harry}} had their own theory. For those living in affluent neighborhoods, the Ripper must've come from the slums he was torturing, as depravity leads to depravity! Jack was therefore thought to be a travelling seaman, an [[alcohol]]ic laborer, a butcher, or a {{Wiki|knacker}}. A ''fine'' example of the hypocritical nature of [[Puritans|Puritanism]] in Victorian high society was the fact that most of these prostitutes' customers were known to come over from the well-to-do neighborhoods in the west end. For the poor, Jack bore the face of an aristocrat. A bipolar ''bourgeois'', he'd bleed his prim and proper during the day, and satisfy his murderous impulses at night, just like {{Wiki|Robert Louis Stevenson|Stevenson}}'s {{Wiki|Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (character)|Dr. Jekyll}}, who'd {{Wiki|Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde|emerged}} just two years before the murders. This hypothesis was supported by descriptions of the killer, albeit approximate, given by some witnesses. The fleeting figure they described was one of an elegant man from a ''chique'' area, wearing a top hat and a [[leather]] jacket, and finished off with a [[cape]].<br><br>Despite the description, time continued to pass in London, and the mystery deepened. In 1892, Scotland Yard admitted defeat. Four years of investigations had led nowhere useful, and no further victims had been found. Had Jack the Ripper committed suicide? Was he a foreigner who moved on? With the case closed, these questions would never be answered. But the legend lived on. Although Scotland Yard's case would remain forever unsolved, self-proclaimed investigators—some rather dishonest—regularly claimed to have "finally" solved the mystery. The end result is ''long'' list of suspects covering no less than 333 names, including celebrities such as ''{{Wiki|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice in Wonderland}}'' author [[Lewis Carroll]] and even {{Wiki|Richard Mansfield}}, the actor who played Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the theater.<br><br>One of the ''wildest'' theories was that put forward by Dr. {{Wiki|Thomas E. A. Stowell|Thomas Stowell}} in 1970. Despite having ''zero'' evidence, he claimed that the Whitechapel murderer was a member of the upper echelons of English aristocracy, suffering with {{Wiki|syphilis}} and madness. He claimed that the killer was committed to an asylum by his family in an attempt to protect him from the police after the first four murders, before he escaped to kill Mary Jane Kelly, the final victim. Although he did not give a name, Stowell insinuated that it was the {{Wiki|Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale|Duke of Clarence}}, an heir to the throne who died young in 1892, aged just 28 and for whom the rumor mill had already been running unfounded for a while. But this accusation was quickly refuted, as the young Duke was not in London at the time of the murders. Stowell agreed to withdraw his accusation and publicly apologized in a letter to ''{{Wiki|The Times}}'' on the 5th of November 1970. The paper published his letter four days later, but, in an incredible twist of fate, Stowell died the night before. This coincidence ensured that his speculation lived on in the minds of conspiracy theorists; some even openly claimed he was silenced.<br><br>More recently, on the 6th of September 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746321/Jack-Ripper-unmasked-How-amateur-sleuth-used-DNA-breakthrough-identify-Britains-notorious-criminal-126-years-string-terrible-murders.html|title=Jack the Ripper identified by amateur sleuth as Aaron Kosminski|author=Edwards, Russell|date=6 September 2014|publisher=''Daily Mail''|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907010815/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2746321/Jack-Ripper-unmasked-How-amateur-sleuth-used-DNA-breakthrough-identify-Britains-notorious-criminal-126-years-string-terrible-murders.html|archivedate=7 September 2014|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> the ''{{Wiki|Daily Mail}}'' stated it had a world exclusive to reveal Jack the Ripper's true identity. It all started with Russell Edwards, a rich property developer who acquired a shawl said to have belonged to Catherine Eddowes, the fourth victim, at an auction.<ref name="ScienceBlog">{{Cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper|title=Does a new genetic analysis finally reveal the identity of Jack the Ripper?|author=Adam, David|date=15 March 2019|publisher=''{{Wiki|Science (journal)|Science}}''|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020161554/https://www.science.org/content/article/does-new-genetic-analysis-finally-reveal-identity-jack-ripper|archivedate=20 October 2021|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> Edwards had it examined by a molecular biology expert, who found traces of semen on the fabric.<ref>Louhelainen, Jari; Miller, David (12 March 2019). "Forensic Investigation of a Shawl Linked to the "Jack the Ripper" Murders". ''{{Wiki|Journal of Forensic Sciences}}''. '''65''' (1): 295–303. {{Wiki|Digital object identifier|DOI}}: https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14038. Retrieved on 15 January 2024</ref> The recovered DNA was then compared to that of one of the suspects, taken from a distant descendant. This analysis purportedly revealed that Jack the Ripper was none other than {{Wiki|Aaron Kosminski}}, a young [[Poland|Polish]]-[[Judaism|Jewish]] barber who lived in Whitechapel. The news caused a huge commotion, until {{Wiki|Alec Jeffreys|famous}} {{Wiki|Innsbruck Medical University|genetic researchers}} lambasted the method used by their colleague.<ref name="ScienceBlog"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/has-jack-the-rippers-identity-really-been-revealed-using-dna-evidence-9717036.html|title=Has Jack the Ripper's identity really been revealed using DNA evidence?|author=Connor, Steve|date=7 September 2014|publisher=''{{Wiki|The Independent}}''|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907202144/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/has-jack-the-rippers-identity-really-been-revealed-using-dna-evidence-9717036.html|archivedate=7 September 2014|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> Jack the Ripper specialists, known as "Ripperologists" since the 1970s, have also been debating another point: the killer's confession letter. The most serious of them claim that it was fake, invented by one Fredrick Best, a journalist at ''The Star''. This would make Jack the Ripper a pure fabrication, the best ever created to boost newspaper sales. Whether true or false, ''The Star'' saw its sales ''multiply'', ten-fold to reach 200,000 issues daily thanks to this series of crimes. Even today, Jack the Ripper is good for business. As a true modern legend, the serial killer has been a source of inspiration for literature and cinema, musicals, and of course, Halloween costumes; each new piece offers its own interpretation of his legend. In the game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'', Jack the Ripper is reinvented as a prince of crime in London. The game's [[Evie Frye|heroine]] stalks him tirelessly, ultimately [[Live by the Creed, Die by the Creed|killing him]]. Whether as part of a game or a wild theory, the quest to determine Jack the Ripper's identity continues to fascinate the masses. It's as if we absolutely ''need'' to put a name to these crimes in order to lay his ghost to rest. Do we really want to solve the case? Because in order for the legend to persist, we need to believe that Jack the Ripper could've been anyone. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' |
| *'''Danny Wallace:''' ''"Whose portrait appears on an {{Wiki|United States one-hundred-dollar bill|American hundred-dollar bill}}?" By answering this question, the hero of {{Wiki|Danny Boyle}}'s film ''{{Wiki|Slumdog Millionaire}}'' crosses the {{Wiki|Indian rupee|₹}}1 million mark in the {{Wiki|Kaun Banega Crorepati|Indian version}} of the TV gameshow ''{{Wiki|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?}}''. With his receding hairline, shoulder-length hair, honest eyes, and slight smile, Benjamin Franklin's face is famous worldwide. He is the only Founding Father of the United States to have signed ''all three'' of the key documents that established the new nation: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Treaty of Alliance with France, of which he was the main architect. When he arrived in Paris 1776 to seek the [[monarchy]]'s support, his ''extraordinary'' reputation preceeded him. Franklin's work on electricity had made him famous. At 70 years old, he was a true man of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]. He came from a modest background, became wealthy on his own merit, he was a ''genius'' inventor, and an accomplished diplomat. His face was already well-known, and engravings, medals, and busts of him were a ''huge'' commercial success. Benjamin Franklin was a living legend, and he played a key role in building this legend himself, using his great skill to achieve his goals.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode five, Benjamin Franklin.<br><br>Benjamin Franklin was born on the 17th of January 1706 in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] to a {{Wiki|Josiah Franklin|poor}} {{Wiki|Abiah Folger|family}} of Protestant settlers from England. Benjamin, who read the Bible aged just five, was an avid reader, but he had to leave school at 10 to help his family. At 12, to make a living, he became an apprentice to his older brother [[James Franklin|James]], who owned a printing business. In 1721, James Franklin founded the {{Wiki|History of American newspapers|first American daily newspaper}}, ''{{Wiki|The New-England Courant}}''. In April 1722, a [[wikisource:Category:1722 works|series of articles]] by one "{{Wiki|Silence Dogood}}" appeared in the paper and were a ''huge'' success. This outspoken, old lady tackled controversial subjects, much to the delight of her readers. But what they didn't know was that the young Benjamin Franklin was behind the pseudonym. At just 16 years old, he already had the qualities of a great writer. But the relationship between the two brothers quickly deteriorated. Tired of his elder brother's jealousy and physical bullying, Benjamin left Boston and arrived in [[Philadelphia, United States|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] on the 6th of October 1723. According to the great man's legend, written by Franklin himself in {{Wiki|The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin|his autobiography}}, this date for him was a rebirth. Starting from this moment, this young man of 17—all alone and without a penny to his name—made his own success.<br><br>By 1750, Benjamin Franklin had come a long way. He was an accomplished businessman, editor, and printer who'd been publishing the influential newspaper ''{{Wiki|The Pennsylvania Gazette}}'', one of the most widely-read daily newspapers in the colonies since 1729. In 1733, he also began publishing the popular ''{{Wiki|Poor Richard's Almanack}}''. This publication was a big hit in the American colonies. The yearly almanac offered a mixture of weather forecasts, advise of all kinds, puzzles, and Franklin's trademark ''{{Wiki|One-line joke|bon mots}}''. It made its publisher rich, selling more than 10,000 copies a year. At the same time, Benjamin Franklin established himself as a committed citizen. He was particularly active in his community. In 1727, he formed the {{Wiki|Junto (club)|Junto}}, a philanthropic association of businessmen in Philadelphia. Together, they created one of the {{Wiki|Library Company of Philadelphia|first public libraries}} in America in 1731, and the {{Wiki|University of Pennsylvania}} in 1749.<br><br>At this time, Franklin began to devote himself fully to his true passion: science. He was fascinated by electricity. In 1751, he sent a letter to the {{Wiki|Royal Society}}, the prestigious learned society in London that made him famous throughout Europe. It contained the hypothesis that lightning was electrical, and described {{Wiki|Kite experiment|an experiment}} to prove it.<ref>Franklin, Benjamin (1 October 1752). "XLIV. A letter from Mr. Franklin to Mr. Peter Collinson, {{Wiki|Fellow of the Royal Society|F. R. S.}} concerning the effects of lightning". ''Royal Society''. '''47''' (1): 565–567. DOI: [https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rstl.1751.0096 10.1098/rstl.1751.0000]. Retrieved on 15 January 2024</ref> In June 1752, the scientist carried out his famous experiment. He constructed a kite to fly in a stormy sky, attaching a wire to the top of it, and tethering it to the ground with a wet string of hemp. To the string, he attached a key, insulated with silk thread, which he held in his hand. When lightning struck the kite, sparks flew from the key. Based on this observation, Franklin invented the lightning rod, which quickly became widespread. The following year, the Royal Society awarded him the {{Wiki|Copley Medal}}, their most prestigious prize.<br><br>After 1757, Franklin regularly spent time in England. He had been elected to the {{Wiki|Pennsylvania House of Representatives|Pennsylvania Assembly}} in 1751, and was chosen to represent its interests in London. This meant that Franklin was in Europe when the {{Wiki|Stamp Act 1765|1765 Stamp Act}} crisis broke out. Adopted by the British [[Palace of Westminster|Parliament]], the Act required American colonists to pay a stamp tax for a whole series of legal documents, newspapers, and adverts. It was incredibly unpopular, as a lot of taxes are, and led to violent protest. Rioters hanged and burned effigies of tax collectors—it's not a bad idea! Parliament backed down and the Stamp Act was repealed the following month. But the rift between the government in London and the colonies was established. This situation worried Franklin, who was still a [[Loyalists|Loyalist]] at this stage. He couldn't envisage the colonies' existence outside of the British Empire. His position gradually changed over the following years. In 1773, alarming letters from the [[Thomas Hutchinson|British Governor]] of the {{Wiki|Province of Massachusetts Bay|colony of Massachusetts}} were {{Wiki|Hutchinson Letters affair|published}} in a {{Wiki|Boston Gazette|Boston newspaper}}. Benjamin Franklin was behind this move. Having become {{Wiki|United States Postmaster General|Deputy Postmaster General}} for the colonies of British North America in 1758, he intercepted the compromising letters and revealed to the public the government's oppressive plans to limit the colonists' freedoms. This revelation was the spark that lit the fire of revolution. And this, along with other unpopular measures, led to the [[Boston Tea Party]].<br><br>On the 16th of December 1773, the [[Sons of Liberty]]—insurgent colonists—threw 342 chests of [[tea]] from England into the [[Boston Harbor|city's harbor]]—a crime that I still regard as one of the worst in history. In the aftermath, Franklin was summoned before the {{Wiki|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}} of the [[George III of the United Kingdom|King of England]]. For an hour, he was publicly humiliated. He was treated as a [[thief]] for having taken the letters, and was held responsible for the events in Boston. In March 1775, he left England for good. When he arrived in Philadelphia, the [[American Revolution]] had begun and fighting raged. He was chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the [[Continental Congress]], the joint governing body for the 13 revolutionary colonies. On the 21st of June 1776, Franklin received a letter from [[Thomas Jefferson]], his [[Virginia (state)|Virginian]] counterpart in Congress. It contained a draft of the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin made a few, minor stylistic changes before returning it to its sender. After a few modifications, this text, written by Jefferson, was adopted by all delegates on the 4th of July 1776, creating the United States of America.<br><br>A few months later, Benjamin Franklin went to Paris. His mission was to obtain {{Wiki|France in the American Revolutionary War|financial and military support}} from the [[kingdom of France]]. Negotiations ''were'' difficult—as they so often are with the French. The monarchy was in serious financial crisis and wary of their British enemy. Franklin's reputation was a considerable advantage: he knew how to use his image, presenting himself at court with his ''legendary'' simplicity, with no wig or powered face, wearing his dark {{Wiki|frock coat}} and shoes with no buckles. This is the characteristic outfit in which he's portrayed in the video game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''. Set in December 1776, the hero, [[Shay Cormac|Shay Patrick Cormac]], must [[RGVjb25zdHJ1Y3RlZA0K|infiltrate]] the court of Louis XVI to complete the [[QXNzYXNzaW5hdGlvbg0K|final mission]] of the game. Franklin, who has [[UHJvdGVjdGlvbg0K|access]] to the ''[[Palace of Versailles|Château de Versailles]]'', helps him get in. Although Franklin was a sensational success with the Parisian elite, he still needed an [[Continental Army|American military]] victory. Without it, the French wouldn't join [[American Revolutionary War|the war]]. On the 4th of December 1777, he finally received the long-awaited news: a few months earlier, the Americans had forced the British troops to {{Wiki|Battles of Saratoga|surrender}} at {{Wiki|Saratoga County, New York|Saratoga}}. On the 6th of February 1778, the Treaty of Alliance with France was signed. The French then {{Wiki|Franco-American alliance|fought alongside}} the Americans in their war of independence. Thanks to his support, General [[George Washington|Washington]]'s army won a ''decisive'' [[Siege of Yorktown|victory]] in [[Yorktown]] on the 19th October 1781.<br><br>Franklin did not return to the United States straight away. He remained in Europe for a while to negotiate peace with the British. On the 3rd of September 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Benjamin Franklin returned to Philadelphia a hero on the 14th September 1785. Despite his advanced age—he was ''70'' at this point—and his fragile health, he was chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the {{Wiki|Constitutional Convention (United States)|Philadelphia Convention}}, which was responsible for drawing up the Constitution of the United States. After ''lengthy'' discussions, this historic text was finally adopted on the 17th September 1787. Benjamin Franklin {{Wiki|Pleurisy|fell ill}} and died a few years later on the 17th of April 1790. Despite requesting a modest ceremony, ''20,000 people'' attended his funeral in Philadelphia. One year later, the great man's posthumous autobiography was published. Through this book, which was an ''immediate'' hit, Franklin presented an image of himself as a self-made man.<br><br>The myth is misleading, of course. Personal achievement played a key role in his life, but it doesn't explain everything. The young Franklin owed his apprenticeship to his brother, and his editorial achievements were principally inspired by previous successes. ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'', for example, largely mimicked ''{{Wiki|The Spectator (1711)|The Spectator}}'', a British paper that Franklin admired. And later, within the Junto, the Philadelphia philanthropic club, the entrepreneur benefited from a ''network'' of wealthy partners to achieve his ambitious plans. Even in the scientific field, Benjamin Franklin's contribution ''should'' be reassessed. The myth of a genius inventor, celebrated on ''both'' sides of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], minimized the crucial contribution of other scientists. {{Wiki|John Freke (surgeon)|John Freke}} in Britain and {{Wiki|Johann Heinrich Winckler}} in [[Germany]] put forward the hypothesis that lightning is electrical before him. The same is true for the experiment carried out by the Frenchman {{Wiki|Thomas-François Dalibard}} on the 10th of May 1752. Dalibard was the first person to demonstrate the existence of an electrical charge in clouds, several weeks before the legendary kite experiment. And "legendary" is the word, because Franklin's experiment should be taken with a pinch of salt. Some historians question the version taught to all American schoolchildren, which dates the event to June 1752. ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'', the newspaper Franklin himself published, did not describe the event until ''later'', in its edition on the 19th of October 1752, yet, the paper reported on ''Dalibard''{{'}}s experiment on the 27th of August 1752, so the timeline is ''certainly'' curious.<br><br>It is well-established that Benjamin Franklin contributed ''significantly'' to creating his own legend. A remarkable scientist, a talented writer, media mogul, skilled diplomat, and more. There are grey areas behind the reassuring gaze and modest smile of this major figure. But at a time when founding stories are being called into question, Benjamin Franklin's statues isn't at risk of being toppled because his impressive trajectory, political accomplishments, and scientific discoveries are evidence of the determination and intelligence of a man who continually questioned his prejudices. The ultimate proof of this clear-sightedness is that in the last years of his life, Franklin dedicated himself to a cause that was largely neglected during the Revolution: the {{Wiki|Abolitionism|abolition of slavery}}. Although the Declaration of Independence recognized equality between all men, Black slaves were excluded. At one time, Franklin himself had six slaves, and the newspapers that made his fortune contained classified ads for slaves for sale.<ref>Van Horne, John C. "[https://librarycompany.org/catalogs/Education%20of%20African%20Americans%20in%20Franklin's%20Philadelphia.pdf The Education of African Americans in Franklin's Philadelphia]". ''"The Good Education of Youth": Worlds of Learning in the Age of Franklin''. Ed. by John H. Pollack. {{Wiki|Oak Knoll Books and Press|Oak Knoll Press}}/{{Wiki|University of Pennsylvania Libraries}}, 2009. pg.72–99. Retrieved on 15 January 2024</ref> For a long time, the great scholar shared white peoples' racist ideas about Black people. A visit to a school for Black children in Philadelphia in 1763<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-10-02-0214|title=From Benjamin Franklin to John Waring, 17 December 1763|author=Franklin, Benjamin|date=17 December 1763|publisher=''{{Wiki|Founders Online}}''|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> opened his eyes to slavery. He then qualified it as "an atrocious debasement of human nature".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.14701000/?st=text|title=An address to the public, from the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage|author=Franklin, Benjamin|date=9 November 1789|publisher=''{{Wiki|Library of Congress}}''|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> In 1790, as President of the {{Wiki|Pennsylvania Abolition Society}}, Franklin put his weight behind a petition to the federal government to ban slavery. It was not successful; the United States didn't abolish slavery [[American Civil War|until 1865]]. Now although Franklin didn't win ''this'' battle during his lifetime, here again, he can claim to have been a pioneer. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' | | *'''Danny Wallace:''' ''"Whose portrait appears on an {{Wiki|United States one-hundred-dollar bill|American hundred-dollar bill}}?" By answering this question, the hero of {{Wiki|Danny Boyle}}'s film ''{{Wiki|Slumdog Millionaire}}'' crosses the {{Wiki|Indian rupee|₹}}1 million mark in the {{Wiki|Kaun Banega Crorepati|Indian version}} of the TV gameshow ''{{Wiki|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?}}''. With his receding hairline, shoulder-length hair, honest eyes, and slight smile, Benjamin Franklin's face is famous worldwide. He is the only Founding Father of the United States to have signed ''all three'' of the key documents that established the new nation: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Treaty of Alliance with France, of which he was the main architect. When he arrived in Paris 1776 to seek the [[monarchy]]'s support, his ''extraordinary'' reputation preceeded him. Franklin's work on electricity had made him famous. At 70 years old, he was a true man of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]. He came from a modest background, became wealthy on his own merit, he was a ''genius'' inventor, and an accomplished diplomat. His face was already well-known, and engravings, medals, and busts of him were a ''huge'' commercial success. Benjamin Franklin was a living legend, and he played a key role in building this legend himself, using his great skill to achieve his goals.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode five, Benjamin Franklin.<br><br>Benjamin Franklin was born on the 17th of January 1706 in [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]] to a {{Wiki|Josiah Franklin|poor}} {{Wiki|Abiah Folger|family}} of Protestant settlers from England. Benjamin, who read the Bible aged just five, was an avid reader, but he had to leave school at 10 to help his family. At 12, to make a living, he became an apprentice to his older brother [[James Franklin|James]], who owned a printing business. In 1721, James Franklin founded the {{Wiki|History of American newspapers|first American daily newspaper}}, ''{{Wiki|The New-England Courant}}''. In April 1722, a [[wikisource:Category:1722 works|series of articles]] by one "{{Wiki|Silence Dogood}}" appeared in the paper and were a ''huge'' success. This outspoken, old lady tackled controversial subjects, much to the delight of her readers. But what they didn't know was that the young Benjamin Franklin was behind the pseudonym. At just 16 years old, he already had the qualities of a great writer. But the relationship between the two brothers quickly deteriorated. Tired of his elder brother's jealousy and physical bullying, Benjamin left Boston and arrived in [[Philadelphia, United States|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] on the 6th of October 1723. According to the great man's legend, written by Franklin himself in {{Wiki|The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin|his autobiography}}, this date for him was a rebirth. Starting from this moment, this young man of 17—all alone and without a penny to his name—made his own success.<br><br>By 1750, Benjamin Franklin had come a long way. He was an accomplished businessman, editor, and printer who'd been publishing the influential newspaper ''{{Wiki|The Pennsylvania Gazette}}'', one of the most widely-read daily newspapers in the colonies since 1729. In 1733, he also began publishing the popular ''{{Wiki|Poor Richard's Almanack}}''. This publication was a big hit in the American colonies. The yearly almanac offered a mixture of weather forecasts, advise of all kinds, puzzles, and Franklin's trademark ''{{Wiki|One-line joke|bon mots}}''. It made its publisher rich, selling more than 10,000 copies a year. At the same time, Benjamin Franklin established himself as a committed citizen. He was particularly active in his community. In 1727, he formed the {{Wiki|Junto (club)|Junto}}, a philanthropic association of businessmen in Philadelphia. Together, they created one of the {{Wiki|Library Company of Philadelphia|first public libraries}} in America in 1731, and the {{Wiki|University of Pennsylvania}} in 1749.<br><br>At this time, Franklin began to devote himself fully to his true passion: science. He was fascinated by electricity. In 1751, he sent a letter to the {{Wiki|Royal Society}}, the prestigious learned society in London that made him famous throughout Europe. It contained the hypothesis that lightning was electrical, and described {{Wiki|Kite experiment|an experiment}} to prove it.<ref>Franklin, Benjamin (1 October 1752). "XLIV. A letter from Mr. Franklin to Mr. Peter Collinson, {{Wiki|Fellow of the Royal Society|F. R. S.}} concerning the effects of lightning". ''Royal Society''. '''47''' (1): 565–567. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstl.1751.0045. Retrieved on 15 January 2024</ref> In June 1752, the scientist carried out his famous experiment. He constructed a kite to fly in a stormy sky, attaching a wire to the top of it, and tethering it to the ground with a wet string of hemp. To the string, he attached a key, insulated with silk thread, which he held in his hand. When lightning struck the kite, sparks flew from the key. Based on this observation, Franklin invented the lightning rod, which quickly became widespread. The following year, the Royal Society awarded him the {{Wiki|Copley Medal}}, their most prestigious prize.<br><br>After 1757, Franklin regularly spent time in England. He had been elected to the {{Wiki|Pennsylvania House of Representatives|Pennsylvania Assembly}} in 1751, and was chosen to represent its interests in London. This meant that Franklin was in Europe when the {{Wiki|Stamp Act 1765|1765 Stamp Act}} crisis broke out. Adopted by the British [[Palace of Westminster|Parliament]], the Act required American colonists to pay a stamp tax for a whole series of legal documents, newspapers, and adverts. It was incredibly unpopular, as a lot of taxes are, and led to violent protest. Rioters hanged and burned effigies of tax collectors—it's not a bad idea! Parliament backed down and the Stamp Act was repealed the following month. But the rift between the government in London and the colonies was established. This situation worried Franklin, who was still a [[Loyalists|Loyalist]] at this stage. He couldn't envisage the colonies' existence outside of the British Empire. His position gradually changed over the following years. In 1773, alarming letters from the [[Thomas Hutchinson|British Governor]] of the {{Wiki|Province of Massachusetts Bay|colony of Massachusetts}} were {{Wiki|Hutchinson Letters affair|published}} in a {{Wiki|Boston Gazette|Boston newspaper}}. Benjamin Franklin was behind this move. Having become {{Wiki|United States Postmaster General|Deputy Postmaster General}} for the colonies of British North America in 1758, he intercepted the compromising letters and revealed to the public the government's oppressive plans to limit the colonists' freedoms. This revelation was the spark that lit the fire of revolution. And this, along with other unpopular measures, led to the [[Boston Tea Party]].<br><br>On the 16th of December 1773, the [[Sons of Liberty]]—insurgent colonists—threw 342 chests of [[tea]] from England into the [[Boston Harbor|city's harbor]]—a crime that I still regard as one of the worst in history. In the aftermath, Franklin was summoned before the {{Wiki|Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council}} of the [[George III of the United Kingdom|King of England]]. For an hour, he was publicly humiliated. He was treated as a [[thief]] for having taken the letters, and was held responsible for the events in Boston. In March 1775, he left England for good. When he arrived in Philadelphia, the [[American Revolution]] had begun and fighting raged. He was chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the [[Continental Congress]], the joint governing body for the 13 revolutionary colonies. On the 21st of June 1776, Franklin received a letter from [[Thomas Jefferson]], his [[Virginia (state)|Virginian]] counterpart in Congress. It contained a draft of the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin made a few, minor stylistic changes before returning it to its sender. After a few modifications, this text, written by Jefferson, was adopted by all delegates on the 4th of July 1776, creating the United States of America.<br><br>A few months later, Benjamin Franklin went to Paris. His mission was to obtain {{Wiki|France in the American Revolutionary War|financial and military support}} from the [[kingdom of France]]. Negotiations ''were'' difficult—as they so often are with the French. The monarchy was in serious financial crisis and wary of their British enemy. Franklin's reputation was a considerable advantage: he knew how to use his image, presenting himself at court with his ''legendary'' simplicity, with no wig or powered face, wearing his dark {{Wiki|frock coat}} and shoes with no buckles. This is the characteristic outfit in which he's portrayed in the video game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''. Set in December 1776, the hero, [[Shay Cormac|Shay Patrick Cormac]], must [[RGVjb25zdHJ1Y3RlZA0K|infiltrate]] the court of Louis XVI to complete the [[QXNzYXNzaW5hdGlvbg0K|final mission]] of the game. Franklin, who has [[UHJvdGVjdGlvbg0K|access]] to the ''[[Palace of Versailles|Château de Versailles]]'', helps him get in. Although Franklin was a sensational success with the Parisian elite, he still needed an [[Continental Army|American military]] victory. Without it, the French wouldn't join [[American Revolutionary War|the war]]. On the 4th of December 1777, he finally received the long-awaited news: a few months earlier, the Americans had forced the British troops to {{Wiki|Battles of Saratoga|surrender}} at {{Wiki|Saratoga County, New York|Saratoga}}. On the 6th of February 1778, the Treaty of Alliance with France was signed. The French then {{Wiki|Franco-American alliance|fought alongside}} the Americans in their war of independence. Thanks to his support, General [[George Washington|Washington]]'s army won a ''decisive'' [[Siege of Yorktown|victory]] in [[Yorktown]] on the 19th October 1781.<br><br>Franklin did not return to the United States straight away. He remained in Europe for a while to negotiate peace with the British. On the 3rd of September 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Benjamin Franklin returned to Philadelphia a hero on the 14th September 1785. Despite his advanced age—he was ''70'' at this point—and his fragile health, he was chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the {{Wiki|Constitutional Convention (United States)|Philadelphia Convention}}, which was responsible for drawing up the Constitution of the United States. After ''lengthy'' discussions, this historic text was finally adopted on the 17th September 1787. Benjamin Franklin {{Wiki|Pleurisy|fell ill}} and died a few years later on the 17th of April 1790. Despite requesting a modest ceremony, ''20,000 people'' attended his funeral in Philadelphia. One year later, the great man's posthumous autobiography was published. Through this book, which was an ''immediate'' hit, Franklin presented an image of himself as a self-made man.<br><br>The myth is misleading, of course. Personal achievement played a key role in his life, but it doesn't explain everything. The young Franklin owed his apprenticeship to his brother, and his editorial achievements were principally inspired by previous successes. ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'', for example, largely mimicked ''{{Wiki|The Spectator (1711)|The Spectator}}'', a British paper that Franklin admired. And later, within the Junto, the Philadelphia philanthropic club, the entrepreneur benefited from a ''network'' of wealthy partners to achieve his ambitious plans. Even in the scientific field, Benjamin Franklin's contribution ''should'' be reassessed. The myth of a genius inventor, celebrated on ''both'' sides of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], minimized the crucial contribution of other scientists. {{Wiki|John Freke (surgeon)|John Freke}} in Britain and {{Wiki|Johann Heinrich Winckler}} in [[Germany]] put forward the hypothesis that lightning is electrical before him. The same is true for the experiment carried out by the Frenchman {{Wiki|Thomas-François Dalibard}} on the 10th of May 1752. Dalibard was the first person to demonstrate the existence of an electrical charge in clouds, several weeks before the legendary kite experiment. And "legendary" is the word, because Franklin's experiment should be taken with a pinch of salt. Some historians question the version taught to all American schoolchildren, which dates the event to June 1752. ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'', the newspaper Franklin himself published, did not describe the event until ''later'', in its edition on the 19th of October 1752, yet, the paper reported on ''Dalibard''{{'}}s experiment on the 27th of August 1752, so the timeline is ''certainly'' curious.<br><br>It is well-established that Benjamin Franklin contributed ''significantly'' to creating his own legend. A remarkable scientist, a talented writer, media mogul, skilled diplomat, and more. There are grey areas behind the reassuring gaze and modest smile of this major figure. But at a time when founding stories are being called into question, Benjamin Franklin's statues isn't at risk of being toppled because his impressive trajectory, political accomplishments, and scientific discoveries are evidence of the determination and intelligence of a man who continually questioned his prejudices. The ultimate proof of this clear-sightedness is that in the last years of his life, Franklin dedicated himself to a cause that was largely neglected during the Revolution: the {{Wiki|Abolitionism|abolition of slavery}}. Although the Declaration of Independence recognized equality between all men, Black slaves were excluded. At one time, Franklin himself had six slaves, and the newspapers that made his fortune contained classified ads for slaves for sale.<ref>Van Horne, John C. "[https://librarycompany.org/catalogs/Education%20of%20African%20Americans%20in%20Franklin's%20Philadelphia.pdf The Education of African Americans in Franklin's Philadelphia]". ''"The Good Education of Youth": Worlds of Learning in the Age of Franklin''. Ed. by John H. Pollack. {{Wiki|Oak Knoll Books and Press|Oak Knoll Press}}/{{Wiki|University of Pennsylvania Libraries}}, 2009. pg.72–99. Retrieved on 15 January 2024</ref> For a long time, the great scholar shared white peoples' racist ideas about Black people. A visit to a school for Black children in Philadelphia in 1763<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-10-02-0214|title=From Benjamin Franklin to John Waring, 17 December 1763|author=Franklin, Benjamin|date=17 December 1763|publisher=''{{Wiki|Founders Online}}''|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> opened his eyes to slavery. He then qualified it as "an atrocious debasement of human nature".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.14701000/?st=text|title=An address to the public, from the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage|author=Franklin, Benjamin|date=9 November 1789|publisher=''{{Wiki|Library of Congress}}''|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> In 1790, as President of the {{Wiki|Pennsylvania Abolition Society}}, Franklin put his weight behind a petition to the federal government to ban slavery. It was not successful; the United States didn't abolish slavery [[American Civil War|until 1865]]. Now although Franklin didn't win ''this'' battle during his lifetime, here again, he can claim to have been a pioneer. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' |
| *'''Danny Wallace:''' ''In 1501, an unknown writer painted a ''{{Wiki|Banquet of Chestnuts|scandalized}}'' picture of life at the Vatican court. What depravity! Incest! Filth! No house of debauchery, no [[brothel]] is less decent. At the time, many pamphlets condemned the excess, often in violent terms. Blame was placed on one family, the most ''prominent'' family in Christendom, the Borgias, who had reigned over the church for nine years. [[Rodrigo Borgia|Rodrigo]], the father, {{Wiki|1492 papal conclave|became}} Pope Alexander VI in the summer of 1492. As the {{Wiki|Vicar of Christ}}, he had spiritual authority over kings, and his four children—[[Juan Borgia the Younger|Giovanni]], [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], Lucrezia, and [[Jofré Borgia|Jofré]]—played the power games alongside him.<br><br>Borgia—the mere ''mention'' of this name evokes a ''litany'' of imagined evils: plots, poison, violence, lust, and blood. The scandalous legend that has surrounded this family since the [[Renaissance]] is ''particularly'' cruel to the only female sibling. {{Wiki|Femme fatale}}, manipulator, poisoner, Lucrezia is accused of ''every'' vice. Her ''terrible'' reputation, started by tales spread by her family's enemies, is ''particularly'' stubborn. Victor Hugo's play ''Lucrezia Borgia'', performed for the first time in 1883, is ''largely'' responsible for this. ''"Oh! curses on Lucrezia Borgia!...She fills my soul with horror!"'' exclaims the hero, Gennaro.<ref>Hugo, Victor. ''[[wikisource:fr:Lucrèce Borgia|Lucrèce Borgia]]. Œuvres complètes de Victor Hugo. Drames, Tome V''. Paris, France: {{Wiki|Eugène Renduel}}, 1836. Acte I, Part 2.iii. pg. 76. Retrieved on 29 February 2024. "Oh! Maudite soit cette Lucrèce Borgia! Vous dites qu'elle m'aime, cette femme! Hé bien, tant mieux! que ce soit son châtiment! elle me fait horreur!"</ref><ref>Hugo, Victor. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=wrIxAQAAMAAJ Lucrezia Borgia. Angelo, tyrant of Padua.]'' Dramas, Vol. V. Translated by I. G. Burnham. Philadelphia: George Barrie and Son, 1896. Act I, Part 2.iii. Retrieved on 29 February 2024. pg. 79. "Oh! curses on Lucrezia Borgia! You say she loves me! that that woman loves me! Ah, well! 't is better so! and let this be her punishment! she fill my soul with horror!"</ref> In the final act, he stabs Lucrezia. Drawing her last breath, she reveals that he is actually her ''son''<ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrèce Borgia. Œuvres complètes de Victor Hugo. Drames, Tome V''. Acte III.iii. pg. 187. "Ah!...tu m'as tuée!—Gennaro! je suis ta mère!"</ref><ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrezia Borgia. Angelo, tyrant of Padua.'' Act III.iii. pg. 181. "Ah! thou hast killed me! Gennaro! I am thy mother."</ref> by incest,<ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrèce Borgia''. Acte III.iii. pg. 180–181. "Jette ton couteau, malheureux! Jette-le, te dis-je! Si tu savais...—Gennaro! Sais-tu qui tu es? Sais-tu qui je suis? Tu ignores combien je te tiens de près! Faut-il tout lui dire? Le même sang coule dans nos veines, Gennaro! Tu as eu pour père Jean Borgia, duc de Gandia!"</ref><ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrezia Borgia''. Act III.iii. pg. 175. "Throw down thy knife, unhappy youth! I bid thee throw it down! If thou didst know.—Gennaro! Knowest thou who thou art? Knowest thou who I am? Thou knowest not how near I am to thee. Needs must I tell thee all? The same blood's in thy veins and mine, Gennaro! Thy father was a Borgia, Giovanni, Duke of Gandia!"</ref> a complete fabrication that has ''all'' but erased the reality. Behind all this slander and these made-up stories, who ''was'' the ''real'' Lucrezia Borgia?<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode nine, Lucrezia Borgia.<br><br>Originally from [[Spain]], the Borgia family earned their status by helping [[Reconquista|recapture]] the peninsula from the Muslims. [[Callixtus III|Alfons de Borja]] was the first to join the church. He was Bishop of [[Valencia]] before becoming Pope Callixtus III in 1455 and introducing his nephew Rodrigo to the {{Wiki|Roman Curia|Papal court}}. Nepotism was common practice at that time; nobody ''really'' questioned the Pope favoring his own family—I mean, no one really questioned the Pope! Thanks to his uncle, the ambitious Rodrigo enjoyed a ''meteoric'' rise. As a [[Cardinal]] and {{Wiki|Apostolic Chancery|Vice Chancellor}}, he was the second-most powerful in the Vatican, just behind the Holy Father. By the age of 26, he amassed a ''considerable'' fortune, and with it, influence. But, he was still too young to seek the Papacy himself. As he waited his turn, he influenced the {{Wiki|Papal conclave|conclaves}}. With his money and negotiating skills, he was a {{Wiki|kingmaker}}. In 1470, Rodrigo met the beautiful [[Vannozza dei Cattanei|Vannozza Cattanei]] in a [[tavern]] in Rome. Their love affair lasted for ''years''. It was common for the high clergy to ''reject'' celibacy at this time; a {{Wiki|papal bull}} of 1486{{Cite|29 Feb 2024}} even had to ''remind'' members of the church that they couldn't run a brothel—as if you'd need reminding of that. Like a royal couple, Rodrigo and Vannozza spent happy days together in {{Wiki|Abbey of Saint Scholastica, Subiaco|Subiaco Abbey}}. It was in {{Wiki|Subiaco, Lazio|this small town}} that Lucrezia was born on the 18th of April 1418. In line with her father's wishes, she received a good education and visited the [[House of Orsini|Orsini]] palace, where she discovered the inner workings of royal courts and society life.<br><br>On the 11th of August 1492, then over 60 years old, Rodrigo Borgia's scheming paid off. After buying several votes in the conclave, he became Pope Alexander VI. From then on, Lucrezia's fate was sealed. At just 12 years old, the much-loved little girl became her father's political tool. At the time, Italy was made up of {{Wiki|Maritime republics|powerful city-states}} that constantly fought to expand their influence. Alexander VI was determined to weigh-in on this ''complex'' diplomatic game. With Lucrezia, he had a ''valuable'' bargaining chip—which is a ''lovely'' way to think of your daughter! The Pope's daughter was ''excellent'' marriage material, and there was no shortage of suitors: negotiations had been underway for ''several'' months with Cardinal [[Ascanio Sforza]], who represented the interests of the powerful Duchy of [[Milan]] in Rome. On the 9th of June 1493, [[Giovanni Sforza]], Lord of {{Wiki|Pesaro}} and {{Wiki|Gradara}}, crossed the [[Porta Flaminia|Porta del Popolo]] in Rome to the cheers of the crowd. He was a 26-year-old nondescript ''{{Wiki|Condottiero|condottieri}}'' for whom the young Lucrezia...felt nothing. But their marriage, which was celebrated 3 days later, gained her father an important ally and the contract included a dowry of 30,000 [[ducat]]s. Lucrezia was only 13 years old but she made the best of it. She didn't mind her peaceful life in {{Wiki|Gradara Castle}} on the banks of the {{Wiki|Adriatic Sea}} with this...sweet man. The diplomatic situation changed ''dramatically'' in early 1494. Troops sent by young [[Charles VIII of France|Charles VIII]], the King of France, {{Wiki|Italian War of 1494–1495|crossed}} the [[Alps]]. The king, with an army of 30,000 men, claimed his right to the Kingdom of [[Naples]] over {{Wiki|Frederick of Naples|Frederick}} of [[Kingdom of Aragon|Aragon]]. The French were soon at the gates of Rome and the Pope had to take refuge in [[Castel Sant'Angelo]]. As the [[House of Sforza|Sforza family]] supported the French monarchy, Alexander VI worked to ''end'' the alliance. He grew closer to the Kingdom of Naples and called his daughter back to his side: he ''already'' had ''another'' marriage in mind for her.<br><br>Giovanni went to Rome with Lucrezia. In the eyes of the Borgia clan, he was now merely a cumbersome spouse, but [[Assassination|assassinating]] a Sforza in this context would have had ''disastrous'' consequences. Murder was therefore ''not'' an option—which is always nice to hear. Lucrezia's older brother Cesare skillfully spread a ''rumor'' of a murder plot against Giovanni. The young woman warned her husband, who quickly fled. Alexander VI was now able to ''annul'' their marriage. The negotiations took ''many'' months. Tired of being a pawn of men, Lucrezia decided to withdraw from the world, seeking peace in the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] convent of {{Wiki|San Sisto Vecchio|San Sisto}}. Soon, armed men working for the Borgias ''desecrated'' the convent and tried to kidnap her. The Mother Superior managed to assert her authority and protect her. After that, Alexander VI sent letter after letter to his daughter, ''pleading'' and ''trying'' to persuade her to come back to him. Lucrezia remained indifferent, but she remained her father's greatest asset in his political maneuverings. To achieve his goals, the Pope devised a wholly ''immoral'' ruse.<br><br>He made his {{Wiki|Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church|Vice Camerlengo}} [[Perotto Calderon|Perotto]] act as a mediator between himself and his daughter. And this handsome man wasn't chosen by chance: the Pope planned for Lucrezia to fall under his spell. Perotto met regularly with the young girl. One day, he had the difficult task of informing her that her brother Giovanni had been [[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|killed]]. His body had been pulled out of the [[Tiber]] River. Lucrezia consoled herself in the arms of the young messenger. She fell pregnant and could no longer stay in the cloister. The pregnancy uprooted the family's ''entire'' strategy. On the 27th of December 1497, the young woman had to stand before a ''church tribunal'' to prove she was a ''true'' virgin. ''This'' was the price to pay for her marriage to Giovanni Sforza to be annulled. But with her rounded stomach, it was ''difficult'' to believe that the marriage ''hadn't'' been consummated. And what prince would agree to marry woman about to give birth to a [[Giovanni Borgia|bastard]]? Excuse my French. Cesare Borgia flew into a ''murderous'' rage. He tracked down his sister's lover in the {{Wiki|Apostolic Palace|Papal palace}}. Perotto fled to the Holy Father. Sat on his throne, the Pope wrapped him in his {{Wiki|Mantle (monastic vesture)|mantle}}, but Cesare's vengeful blade sliced through the cloth, which was soon drenched in blood. Before the judges, Lucrezia, then six months pregnant, wore a dress tailored to hide her curves. Thanks to her clever attire and the deference of ''several'' Cardinals, she regained her diplomatic virginity. The Borgias could devise a ''new'' matrimonial alliance.<br><br>Giovanni Sforza endured the ''worst'' humiliations, but a few thousand ducats helped him come to terms with it. And to clear his name, he spread rumors: his wife ''never'' offered herself to him because she was saving herself for her ''father and brother''. This act of retribution gave rise to the reputation for incent that Lucrezia has been ''saddled'' with for centuries. In the game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', the young woman is depicted as a fickle and voluptuous seductress ''consumed'' by her various schemes. The hero, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]], surprises her [[Castello Crasher|passionately kissing]] her brother Cesare. A few minutes later, he [[Femme Fatale|catches her]] in the act again, this time in the arms of [[Pietro Rossi|another man]]. This ''biased'' historical account is the work of men, and Lucrezia Borgia is the only victim.<br><br>On the 21st of July 1498, Lucrezia married her ''second'' husband, [[Alfonso of Aragon]], Duke of {{Wiki|Bisceglie}} and Prince of {{Wiki|Principality of Salerno|Salerno}}. Through this union, the Borgias forged a ''new'' alliance, this time with the powerful kingdom of {{Wiki|Alfonso II of Naples}}. Politics aside, it was a happy marriage. Alfonso was handsome, cultured, and only a ''little'' younger than Lucrezia, who was 18 at the time. A baby named {{Wiki|Rodrigo of Aragon|Rodrigo}}, named after his maternal grandfather, was soon born. But their happiness was short-lived. In one of those ''astonishing'' about-turns that the Borgias had a knack for, they decided to ally with [[Louis XII of France|Louis XII]], the king of France who had his eye on the Kingdom of Naples. Lucrezia's ''new'' husband found himself in the ''same'' situation as Giovanni, his predecessor. After surviving ''one'' assassination attempt, Alfonso was strangled to death on the 18th of August 1500 by [[Micheletto Corella]], Cesare Borgia's right-hand man. Hiding in {{Wiki|Nepi}}, north of Rome, Lucrezia was overcome with grief. In just a few years, she had lost a brother, two husbands, and a lover, ''all'' sacrificed on the altar of her family's ambitions. When she wrote to her father, she called herself "''La [[wikt:infantissima|Infantissima]]"'', the Wretched Woman. Alexander VI and Cesare Borgia were sympathetic, but the clan's interests came above all else.<br><br>Especially given a ''new'' opportunity had arisen: [[Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara|Alfonso d'Este]], Duke of [[Ferrara]], had been {{Wiki|Anna Sforza|widowed}}. The wedding sealing the union between the Borgias and [[House of Este|Estes]] was celebrated in December 1501. A few weeks later, on the 2nd of February 1502, Lucrezia rode her white horse into Ferrara. Her sad reputation preceded her, and the curious crowd spied on ''every move'' made by the so-called "whore of the Vatican", but they were captivated by her endless charm. Far from Rome—and therefore, her family—and under the protection of the Duke, the young woman could ''finally'' reveal her ''beautiful'' soul in this peaceful fiefdom. The ''terrible'' rise of the Borgia clan ended with the death of Alexander VI on the 6th of August 1503. Freed from her family's ambitions, Lucrezia became an ''important'' protector of the arts. By funding artists, including the young [[Titian]], she enhanced the duchy's cultural influence, and poets sang her praises—which is weird for poets, they usually write stuff down, not sing.<br><br>On the 24th of June 1519, at the age of 39, having ''just'' given birth to a little girl, Lucrezia drew her last breath after three weeks of agony. In the twilight of her life, she had chosen to observe the precepts of poverty taught by [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis]]. Through this ''sincere'' piety, she ''probably'' sought to expunge the sins of her family, who'd used her as a pawn. She had been a victim subject to the whims of men, a victim of her own family, who bequeathed her an ''evil'' reputation, but a family from which history is gradually extricating her. The Borgias didn't deserve Lucrezia. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' | | *'''Danny Wallace:''' ''In 1501, an unknown writer painted a ''{{Wiki|Banquet of Chestnuts|scandalized}}'' picture of life at the Vatican court. What depravity! Incest! Filth! No house of debauchery, no [[brothel]] is less decent. At the time, many pamphlets condemned the excess, often in violent terms. Blame was placed on one family, the most ''prominent'' family in Christendom, the Borgias, who had reigned over the church for nine years. [[Rodrigo Borgia|Rodrigo]], the father, {{Wiki|1492 papal conclave|became}} Pope Alexander VI in the summer of 1492. As the {{Wiki|Vicar of Christ}}, he had spiritual authority over kings, and his four children—[[Juan Borgia the Younger|Giovanni]], [[Cesare Borgia|Cesare]], Lucrezia, and [[Jofré Borgia|Jofré]]—played the power games alongside him.<br><br>Borgia—the mere ''mention'' of this name evokes a ''litany'' of imagined evils: plots, poison, violence, lust, and blood. The scandalous legend that has surrounded this family since the [[Renaissance]] is ''particularly'' cruel to the only female sibling. {{Wiki|Femme fatale}}, manipulator, poisoner, Lucrezia is accused of ''every'' vice. Her ''terrible'' reputation, started by tales spread by her family's enemies, is ''particularly'' stubborn. Victor Hugo's play ''Lucrezia Borgia'', performed for the first time in 1883, is ''largely'' responsible for this. ''"Oh! curses on Lucrezia Borgia!...She fills my soul with horror!"'' exclaims the hero, Gennaro.<ref>Hugo, Victor. ''[[wikisource:fr:Lucrèce Borgia|Lucrèce Borgia]]. Œuvres complètes de Victor Hugo. Drames, Tome V''. Paris, France: {{Wiki|Eugène Renduel}}, 1836. Acte I, Part 2.iii. pg. 76. Retrieved on 29 February 2024. "Oh! Maudite soit cette Lucrèce Borgia! Vous dites qu'elle m'aime, cette femme! Hé bien, tant mieux! que ce soit son châtiment! elle me fait horreur!"</ref><ref>Hugo, Victor. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=wrIxAQAAMAAJ Lucrezia Borgia. Angelo, tyrant of Padua]''. Dramas, Vol. V. Translated by I. G. Burnham. Philadelphia: George Barrie and Son, 1896. Act I, Part 2.iii. Retrieved on 29 February 2024. pg. 79. "Oh! curses on Lucrezia Borgia! You say she loves me! that that woman loves me! Ah, well! 't is better so! and let this be her punishment! she fill my soul with horror!"</ref> In the final act, he stabs Lucrezia. Drawing her last breath, she reveals that he is actually her ''son''<ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrèce Borgia. Œuvres complètes de Victor Hugo. Drames, Tome V''. Acte III.iii. pg. 187. "Ah!...tu m'as tuée!—Gennaro! je suis ta mère!"</ref><ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrezia Borgia. Angelo, tyrant of Padua.'' Act III.iii. pg. 181. "Ah! thou hast killed me! Gennaro! I am thy mother."</ref> by incest,<ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrèce Borgia''. Acte III.iii. pg. 180–181. "Jette ton couteau, malheureux! Jette-le, te dis-je! Si tu savais...—Gennaro! Sais-tu qui tu es? Sais-tu qui je suis? Tu ignores combien je te tiens de près! Faut-il tout lui dire? Le même sang coule dans nos veines, Gennaro! Tu as eu pour père Jean Borgia, duc de Gandia!"</ref><ref>Hugo, Victor. ''Lucrezia Borgia''. Act III.iii. pg. 175. "Throw down thy knife, unhappy youth! I bid thee throw it down! If thou didst know.—Gennaro! Knowest thou who thou art? Knowest thou who I am? Thou knowest not how near I am to thee. Needs must I tell thee all? The same blood's in thy veins and mine, Gennaro! Thy father was a Borgia, Giovanni, Duke of Gandia!"</ref> a complete fabrication that has ''all'' but erased the reality. Behind all this slander and these made-up stories, who ''was'' the ''real'' Lucrezia Borgia?<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode nine, Lucrezia Borgia.<br><br>Originally from [[Spain]], the Borgia family earned their status by helping [[Reconquista|recapture]] the peninsula from the Muslims. [[Callixtus III|Alfons de Borja]] was the first to join the church. He was Bishop of [[Valencia]] before becoming Pope Callixtus III in 1455 and introducing his nephew Rodrigo to the {{Wiki|Roman Curia|Papal court}}. Nepotism was common practice at that time; nobody ''really'' questioned the Pope favoring his own family—I mean, no one really questioned the Pope! Thanks to his uncle, the ambitious Rodrigo enjoyed a ''meteoric'' rise. As a [[Cardinal]] and {{Wiki|Apostolic Chancery|Vice Chancellor}}, he was the second-most powerful in the Vatican, just behind the Holy Father. By the age of 26, he amassed a ''considerable'' fortune, and with it, influence. But, he was still too young to seek the Papacy himself. As he waited his turn, he influenced the {{Wiki|Papal conclave|conclaves}}. With his money and negotiating skills, he was a {{Wiki|kingmaker}}. In 1470, Rodrigo met the beautiful [[Vannozza dei Cattanei|Vannozza Cattanei]] in a [[tavern]] in Rome. Their love affair lasted for ''years''. It was common for the high clergy to ''reject'' celibacy at this time; a {{Wiki|papal bull}} of 1486{{Cite|29 Feb 2024}} even had to ''remind'' members of the church that they couldn't run a brothel—as if you'd need reminding of that. Like a royal couple, Rodrigo and Vannozza spent happy days together in {{Wiki|Abbey of Saint Scholastica, Subiaco|Subiaco Abbey}}. It was in {{Wiki|Subiaco, Lazio|this small town}} that Lucrezia was born on the 18th of April 1418. In line with her father's wishes, she received a good education and visited the [[House of Orsini|Orsini]] palace, where she discovered the inner workings of royal courts and society life.<br><br>On the 11th of August 1492, then over 60 years old, Rodrigo Borgia's scheming paid off. After buying several votes in the conclave, he became Pope Alexander VI. From then on, Lucrezia's fate was sealed. At just 12 years old, the much-loved little girl became her father's political tool. At the time, Italy was made up of {{Wiki|Maritime republics|powerful city-states}} that constantly fought to expand their influence. Alexander VI was determined to weigh-in on this ''complex'' diplomatic game. With Lucrezia, he had a ''valuable'' bargaining chip—which is a ''lovely'' way to think of your daughter! The Pope's daughter was ''excellent'' marriage material, and there was no shortage of suitors: negotiations had been underway for ''several'' months with Cardinal [[Ascanio Sforza]], who represented the interests of the powerful Duchy of [[Milan]] in Rome. On the 9th of June 1493, [[Giovanni Sforza]], Lord of {{Wiki|Pesaro}} and {{Wiki|Gradara}}, crossed the [[Porta Flaminia|Porta del Popolo]] in Rome to the cheers of the crowd. He was a 26-year-old nondescript ''{{Wiki|Condottiero|condottieri}}'' for whom the young Lucrezia...felt nothing. But their marriage, which was celebrated 3 days later, gained her father an important ally and the contract included a dowry of 30,000 [[ducat]]s. Lucrezia was only 13 years old but she made the best of it. She didn't mind her peaceful life in {{Wiki|Gradara Castle}} on the banks of the {{Wiki|Adriatic Sea}} with this...sweet man. The diplomatic situation changed ''dramatically'' in early 1494. Troops sent by young [[Charles VIII of France|Charles VIII]], the King of France, {{Wiki|Italian War of 1494–1495|crossed}} the [[Alps]]. The king, with an army of 30,000 men, claimed his right to the Kingdom of [[Naples]] over {{Wiki|Frederick of Naples|Frederick}} of [[Kingdom of Aragon|Aragon]]. The French were soon at the gates of Rome and the Pope had to take refuge in [[Castel Sant'Angelo]]. As the [[House of Sforza|Sforza family]] supported the French monarchy, Alexander VI worked to ''end'' the alliance. He grew closer to the Kingdom of Naples and called his daughter back to his side: he ''already'' had ''another'' marriage in mind for her.<br><br>Giovanni went to Rome with Lucrezia. In the eyes of the Borgia clan, he was now merely a cumbersome spouse, but [[Assassination|assassinating]] a Sforza in this context would have had ''disastrous'' consequences. Murder was therefore ''not'' an option—which is always nice to hear. Lucrezia's older brother Cesare skillfully spread a ''rumor'' of a murder plot against Giovanni. The young woman warned her husband, who quickly fled. Alexander VI was now able to ''annul'' their marriage. The negotiations took ''many'' months. Tired of being a pawn of men, Lucrezia decided to withdraw from the world, seeking peace in the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] convent of {{Wiki|San Sisto Vecchio|San Sisto}}. Soon, armed men working for the Borgias ''desecrated'' the convent and tried to kidnap her. The Mother Superior managed to assert her authority and protect her. After that, Alexander VI sent letter after letter to his daughter, ''pleading'' and ''trying'' to persuade her to come back to him. Lucrezia remained indifferent, but she remained her father's greatest asset in his political maneuverings. To achieve his goals, the Pope devised a wholly ''immoral'' ruse.<br><br>He made his {{Wiki|Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church|Vice Camerlengo}} [[Perotto Calderon|Perotto]] act as a mediator between himself and his daughter. And this handsome man wasn't chosen by chance: the Pope planned for Lucrezia to fall under his spell. Perotto met regularly with the young girl. One day, he had the difficult task of informing her that her brother Giovanni had been [[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|killed]]. His body had been pulled out of the [[Tiber]] River. Lucrezia consoled herself in the arms of the young messenger. She fell pregnant and could no longer stay in the cloister. The pregnancy uprooted the family's ''entire'' strategy. On the 27th of December 1497, the young woman had to stand before a ''church tribunal'' to prove she was a ''true'' virgin. ''This'' was the price to pay for her marriage to Giovanni Sforza to be annulled. But with her rounded stomach, it was ''difficult'' to believe that the marriage ''hadn't'' been consummated. And what prince would agree to marry woman about to give birth to a [[Giovanni Borgia|bastard]]? Excuse my French. Cesare Borgia flew into a ''murderous'' rage. He tracked down his sister's lover in the {{Wiki|Apostolic Palace|Papal palace}}. Perotto fled to the Holy Father. Sat on his throne, the Pope wrapped him in his {{Wiki|Mantle (monastic vesture)|mantle}}, but Cesare's vengeful blade sliced through the cloth, which was soon drenched in blood. Before the judges, Lucrezia, then six months pregnant, wore a dress tailored to hide her curves. Thanks to her clever attire and the deference of ''several'' Cardinals, she regained her diplomatic virginity. The Borgias could devise a ''new'' matrimonial alliance.<br><br>Giovanni Sforza endured the ''worst'' humiliations, but a few thousand ducats helped him come to terms with it. And to clear his name, he spread rumors: his wife ''never'' offered herself to him because she was saving herself for her ''father and brother''. This act of retribution gave rise to the reputation for incent that Lucrezia has been ''saddled'' with for centuries. In the game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', the young woman is depicted as a fickle and voluptuous seductress ''consumed'' by her various schemes. The hero, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]], surprises her [[Castello Crasher|passionately kissing]] her brother Cesare. A few minutes later, he [[Femme Fatale|catches her]] in the act again, this time in the arms of [[Pietro Rossi|another man]]. This ''biased'' historical account is the work of men, and Lucrezia Borgia is the only victim.<br><br>On the 21st of July 1498, Lucrezia married her ''second'' husband, [[Alfonso of Aragon]], Duke of {{Wiki|Bisceglie}} and Prince of {{Wiki|Principality of Salerno|Salerno}}. Through this union, the Borgias forged a ''new'' alliance, this time with the powerful kingdom of {{Wiki|Alfonso II of Naples}}. Politics aside, it was a happy marriage. Alfonso was handsome, cultured, and only a ''little'' younger than Lucrezia, who was 18 at the time. A baby named {{Wiki|Rodrigo of Aragon|Rodrigo}}, named after his maternal grandfather, was soon born. But their happiness was short-lived. In one of those ''astonishing'' about-turns that the Borgias had a knack for, they decided to ally with [[Louis XII of France|Louis XII]], the king of France who had his eye on the Kingdom of Naples. Lucrezia's ''new'' husband found himself in the ''same'' situation as Giovanni, his predecessor. After surviving ''one'' assassination attempt, Alfonso was strangled to death on the 18th of August 1500 by [[Micheletto Corella]], Cesare Borgia's right-hand man. Hiding in {{Wiki|Nepi}}, north of Rome, Lucrezia was overcome with grief. In just a few years, she had lost a brother, two husbands, and a lover, ''all'' sacrificed on the altar of her family's ambitions. When she wrote to her father, she called herself "''La [[wikt:infantissima|Infantissima]]"'', the Wretched Woman. Alexander VI and Cesare Borgia were sympathetic, but the clan's interests came above all else.<br><br>Especially given a ''new'' opportunity had arisen: [[Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara|Alfonso d'Este]], Duke of [[Ferrara]], had been {{Wiki|Anna Sforza|widowed}}. The wedding sealing the union between the Borgias and [[House of Este|Estes]] was celebrated in December 1501. A few weeks later, on the 2nd of February 1502, Lucrezia rode her white horse into Ferrara. Her sad reputation preceded her, and the curious crowd spied on ''every move'' made by the so-called "whore of the Vatican", but they were captivated by her endless charm. Far from Rome—and therefore, her family—and under the protection of the Duke, the young woman could ''finally'' reveal her ''beautiful'' soul in this peaceful fiefdom. The ''terrible'' rise of the Borgia clan ended with the death of Alexander VI on the 6th of August 1503. Freed from her family's ambitions, Lucrezia became an ''important'' protector of the arts. By funding artists, including the young [[Titian]], she enhanced the duchy's cultural influence, and poets sang her praises—which is weird for poets, they usually write stuff down, not sing.<br><br>On the 24th of June 1519, at the age of 39, having ''just'' given birth to a little girl, Lucrezia drew her last breath after three weeks of agony. In the twilight of her life, she had chosen to observe the precepts of poverty taught by [[Francis of Assisi|Saint Francis]]. Through this ''sincere'' piety, she ''probably'' sought to expunge the sins of her family, who'd used her as a pawn. She had been a victim subject to the whims of men, a victim of her own family, who bequeathed her an ''evil'' reputation, but a family from which history is gradually extricating her. The Borgias didn't deserve Lucrezia. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' |
| *'''Danny Wallace:''' "Not only in his lifetime was Leonardo da Vinci held in esteem, but his reputation became even greater among posterity after his death," ''wrote {{Wiki|Giorgio Vasari|Vasari}}, the first art historian, in 1550.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''[[wikisource:it:Le vite de' più eccellenti pittori, scultori e architettori (1568)|Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567]]''. Florence, {{Wiki|Giunti (printers)|Giunti}}, 1568. 2nd ed, vol. 2. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 2. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "La forza in lui fu molta e congiunta con la destrezza, l'animo e 'l valore, sempre regio e magnanimo. E la fama del suo nome tanto s'allargò, che non solo nel suo tempo fu tenuto in pregio, ma pervenne ancora molto più ne' posteri dopo la morte sua."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''{{Wiki|Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects}}''. London, {{Wiki|Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan and Co. Ltd.}} & [https://www.medici.co.uk/ The Medici Society, Ltd.], 1913. [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28420/28420-h/28420-h.htm Vol. 4]. Translated by Gaston du C. De Vere. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 89. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "In him was great bodily strength, joined to dexterity, with a spirit and courage ever royal and magnanimous; and the fame of his name so increased, that not only in his lifetime was he held in esteem, but his reputation became even greater among posterity after his death."</ref> More than ''five centuries'' after his death, the genius still inspires the same admiration. And even now, he's breaking records: in 2017, ''{{Wiki|Salvator Mundi (Leonardo)|Salvator Mundi}}'', a painting attributed to him—though that ''is'' disputed—was sold for $450 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-art-auction-da-vinci-abudhabi/abu-dhabi-to-acquire-leonardo-da-vincis-salvator-mundi-christies-idUSKBN1E22IN/|title=Abu Dhabi to acquire Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi': Christie's|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208235650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-art-auction-da-vinci-abudhabi/abu-dhabi-to-acquire-leonardo-da-vincis-salvator-mundi-christies-idUSKBN1E22IN/|archivedate=8 December 2017|author=Bayoumy, Yara|date=8 December 2017|publisher=''{{Wiki|Reuters}}''|accessdate=3 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Youtube|video=3orkmMlSpmI|text=Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi' <nowiki>|</nowiki> 2017 World Auction Record <nowiki>|</nowiki> Christie's|channel=christies|channelname=Christie's}}</ref> And in 2019, the [[Louvre]] dedicated a ''major'' exhibition to him<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/leonardo-da-vinci|title=Leonardo da Vinci|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413201603/https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/leonardo-da-vinci|archivedate=13 April 2021|author=Louvre|date=24 October 2019|publisher=''Louvre''|accessdate=3 March 2024}}</ref> which attracted more than a ''million'' visitors in four months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://presse.louvre.fr/1-1-million-visitors-for-leonardo-da-vincibr-a-new-record-for-an-exhibitionnbspat-the-louvre/|title=1.1 million visitors for "Leonardo da Vinci": A new record for an exhibition at the Louvre|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715183448/https://presse.louvre.fr/1-1-million-visitors-for-leonardo-da-vincibr-a-new-record-for-an-exhibitionnbspat-the-louvre/|archivedate=15 July 2020|author=Louvre|date=25 February 2020|publisher=''Louvre''|accessdate=3 March 2024}}</ref> Bringing together his greatest paintings and ''many'' drawings, the museum celebrated an ''exceptional'' mind with ''limitless'' curiosity. Da Vinci explored many areas of knowledge, including {{Wiki|Perspective (graphical)|perspective}}, geometry, astronomy, architecture, and engineering. Each era has created its own legend about Leonardo: from the 16th century onwards, he was celebrated as a painter; in the 19th, the discovery of his {{Wiki|Category:Codices by Leonardo da Vinci|forgotten manuscripts}} made him famous as an engineer. More recently, some people have tried to ''tarnish'' this image, pointing out the gaps in Leonardo da Vinci's knowledge and claiming him a fraud. Despite these sometimes legitimate criticisms, the myth of the "universal man" capable of inventing the future has taken hold—he ''did'' design [[Flying Machine]]s and [[tank]]s, after all. However, nothing predisposed the young boy, born in 1552 in the [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] countryside, to such glory.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode ten, Leonardo da Vinci.<br><br>Born in {{Wiki|Vinci, Tuscany|Vinci}}, a small town halfway between [[Pisa]] and Florence, Leonardo was the son of Piero da Vinci, a {{Wiki|Civil law notary|notary}}, and a woman named Caterina, about whom we know almost nothing. Leonardo didn't follow in his father's footsteps—attending university was ''out of the question'' as he born out of wedlock. Surrounded by his grandparents' love, he was self-taught. He ''devoured'' [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses]]'' and spent most of his time contemplating nature. This appreciation of the beauty of landscapes and animals, combined with a particularly ''keen'' sense of observation, gave rise to his unmatched drawing skills. A [[commons:Category:Codex on the Flight of Birds|bird in flight]], the anatomy of a bee,<ref>Kritsky, Gene and Daniel Mader (1 July 2010). "Leonardo's Insects", ''{{Wiki|Entomological Society of America|American Entomologist}}'', '''56'''(3). Fall 2010. [[Oxford]], {{Wiki|Oxford University Press}}. pg. 178–184. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/56.3.178. Retrieved on 3 March 2024.</ref> from an early age, Leonardo ''filled'' his small notebooks with sketches.<br><br>In 1466, the young man moved to Florence. His father got him an apprenticeship with [[Andrea del Verrocchio]] at one of the most prestigious workshops in the city. In this ''[[wikt:bottega|bottega]]'', the master and his pupils ''excelled'' in a wide range of crafts, from painting and sculpture to goldsmithing, cabinetmaking, and metalworking. Alongside his talented fellow students—including [[Pietro Perugino|Perugino]] and [[Sandro Botticelli|Botticelli]]—Leonardo observed, exchanged, and accumulated impressive skills. And the city was a ''constant'' work in progress; he was ''fascinated'' by the building site for the dome of the [[Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore|Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore]]. Engineers had designed special cranes to position the building materials with ''great'' precision nearly 100 meters above the ground. Young Leonardo was responsonble for making the {{Wiki|Gilding|gilt}} [[copper]] bowl topping the dome. As it was made of several pieces, he had to climb to the top of the Duomo to assemble and solder it using a mirror to reflect the sun's light.<br><br>During his time in Florence, Leonardo da Vinci established himself as an independant artist. In 1473, he painted ''[[Annunciation]]'', an early work with ''some'' inaccuracies, but ''already'' showing incredible technical skill and originality. However, when he set up his own [[Bottega di Leonardo|workshop]] five years later at the age of 26, he ''struggled'' to stand out from the ''fierce'' competition. The [[House of Medici|Medici]] court remained inaccessible; without {{Wiki|Italian Renaissance painting|classical training}}, Leonardo ''did not'' have the ''vital'' cultural background to ''shine'' among the elite. In 1482, he seized the opportunity to spread his wings. The next chapter of his story would be played out in [[Milan]].<br><br>When [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] sent him to the court of [[Ludovico Sforza]] to stage a musical, Leonardo made a bold move: he offered his services to the nobleman. In {{Wiki|Personal life of Leonardo da Vinci#Résumé|his letter}} to Sforza, the artist boasts, oddly enough, of his talents as a ''military'' engineer. He claims to be able to design [[war machine]]s; cannons; and'' "covered vehicles, safe and unassailable, which will penetrate the enemy and their artillery, and there is no host of armed men so great that they would not break through it."<ref>da Vinci, Leonardo. ''[[wikisource:The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci|The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci]]''. Translated by {{Wiki|Jean Paul Richter}}. 1888. Vol. 2. "XXI. Letters. Personal Records. Dated Notes". Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "6) Item. I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable which, entering among the enemy with their artillery, there is no body of men so great but they would break them. And behind these, infantry could follow quite unhurt and without any hindrance."</ref> ''By doing so, he created his own myth. It's true that Leonardo had drawn many military technical drawings, but they were merely sketches designed by borrowing extensively from contemporary engineers, and often unworkable. Except, that Leonardo surpassed ''all'' his predecessors in ''one'' area: technical drawings where the accuracy of his line worked ''wonders''. In an exploded view of an object, be broke it down, describing ''each part'' in detail. He had a perfect understanding of perspective. Leonardo may have taken and compiled the ideas of his predecessors, but in doing so, he surpassed them. Sforza was ''not so easily'' won over, and the so-called "engineer" had to wait until 1489 to ''properly'' gain entry to {{Wiki|Castello Sforzesco}}.<br><br>In the Milanese court, Leonardo gained a reputation for organizing celebrations, a key tool in political communication—and I suppose just fun! To celebrate the wedding of {{Wiki|Isabella of Aragon, Duchess of Milan|Isabella of Aragon}} and {{Wiki|Gian Galeazzo Sforza}} in 1490 during the famous ''{{Wiki|it:Festa del Paradiso|Festa del Paradiso}}'', he staged a ''marvelous'' {{Wiki|operetta}}, ''Il Paradiso'', using complex machinery and special effects. A ''gigantic'' golden sphere spun among the costumed dancers and musicians. Glowing stars, and the seven planets known of at the time, were revealed through openings in the sphere.<ref>{{Wiki|it:Pietro Fanfani|Fanfani, Pietro}}. ''[https://archive.org/details/rimebernardo02belluoft/rimebernardo02belluoft/page/n7/mode/2up Le Rime di Bernardo Bellincioni, riscontrate sui manoscritti]''. {{Wiki|Bologna}}: Presso Gaetano Romagnoli, 1878. Vol. II. pg. 208. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Festa ossia rappresentazione chiamata Paradiso, che fece fare il Signore Ludovico in laude délia duchessa di Milano, e così chiamasi, perchè vi era fabbricato con il grande ingegno ed arte di maestro Leonardo Vinci fiorentino il Paradiso, con tutti li sette pianeti che girovano, e li pianeti erano rappresentati da uomini nella forma ed abiti che si descrivono dai poeti, e tutti parlano in Iode délia prefata duchessa Isabella."</ref><ref>{{Wiki|Eugène Müntz|Müntz, Eugène}}. ''[https://archive.org/details/leonardodavincia01munt/mode/page/n11/2up Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Thinker, and Man of Science]''. London: {{Wiki|William Heinemann}}; New York: {{Wiki|Charles Scribner's Sons}}, 1898. Vol. I. "Chapter IV". pg. 107. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "In 1489, on the occasion of the marriage of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, the latter collaborated with the poet {{Wiki|Bernardo Bellincioni|Bellincioni}}, in the construction of a theatrical machine, which they christened "Il Paradiso." It was a colossal orrery, in which the planets, represented by actors of flesh and blood, revolved round the princess by means of an ingenious mechanism, and sang her praises."</ref> Between 1495 and 1498, Leonardo, who ''hadn't'' abandoned painting, produced one of his masterpieces, ''{{Wiki|The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper}}'', which hung in the {{Wiki|refectory}} of the Dominican convent of {{Wiki|Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Santa Maria delle Grazie}}. In 1499, when Louis XII, the king of France, chased the Sforza family from Milan, he was ''blown away'' by this ''gorgeous'' {{Wiki|fresco}}. He even thought of taking it back with him to ''France''<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 6–7. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "La nobiltà di questa pittura, sì per il componimento, sì per essere finita con una incomparabile diligenza, fece venir voglia al re di Francia, di condurla nel regno: onde tentò per ogni via, se ci fussi stato architetti, che con travate di legnami e di ferri, l’avessino potuta armar di maniera, che ella si fosse condotta salva, senza considerare a spesa, che vi si fusse potuta fare, tanto la desiderava."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 97. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "The nobility of this picture, both because of its design, and from its having been wrought with an incomparable diligence, awoke a desire in the King of France to transport it into his kingdom; wherefore he tried by all possible means to discover whether there were architects who, with cross-stays of wood and iron, might have been able to make it so secure that it might be transported safely; without considering any expense that might have been involved thereby, so much did he desire it."</ref>—which was a bit cheeky!<br><br>During the turbulent [[Italian Wars]], Leonardo became a sort of travelling military engineer, moving from town to town. He'd amassed ''real'' skills during this time in Milan, working with the ''best'' gunsmiths, observing cannon production in the arsenals, and increasing his knowledge of the art of war. While in Venice in 1500, he tried, but failed, to convince the {{Wiki|Venetian Senate|Senate}} to carry out ''major'' fortification works. In 1502,he was 50 years old and entered the service of Cesare Borgia, who had just captured [[Urbino]]. At his side, Leonardo travelled his territory as his chief military engineer. He designed war machines, strengthened fortresses, and drew maps. His {{Wiki|File:Leonardo da Vinci - Plan of Imola - Google Art Project.jpg|map}} of {{Wiki|Imola}}, which he created in 1502, ''revolutionized'' cartography. His design offered the ''first'' view of the town from above. But Cesare Borgia's rise came to an end in 1503, when he was imprisoned by his rivals. Leonardo then returned to Florence.<br><br>This was where he started the portrait of [[Lisa del Giocondo]]. It was never delivered to the wealthy silk merchant who commissioned it. Little did he know he was married to the most famous model of all time.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Prese Lionardo a fare per Francesco del Giocondo il ritratto di Monna Lisa sua moglie, e quattro anni penatovi lo lasciò imperfetto, la quale opera oggi è appresso il re Francesco di Francia in Fontanableò."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 100. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Leonardo undertook to execute, for Francesco del Giocondo, the portrait of Monna Lisa, his wife; and after toiling over it for four years, he left it unfinished; and the work is now in the collection of King Francis of France, at Fontainebleau."</ref> Leonardo never finished the ''{{Wiki|Mona Lisa}}'' until 1515 because he was involved in a ''massive'' project. In 1503, [[Piero Soderini]], the new statesman of Florence, commissioned him to make a ''monumental'' {{Wiki|The Battle of Anghiari (Leonardo)|fresco}} of the [[Battle of Anghiari]], celebrating the {{Wiki|Anghiari|Tuscan city}}'s triumph over Milan in 1440.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "E tra il gonfalonieri et i cittadini grandi si praticò che essendosi fatta di nuovo la gran sala del consiglio [...] La quale finita, con grande prestezza fu per decreto publico ordinato, che a Lionardo fussi dato a dipignere qualche opera bella; e così da Piero Soderini, gonfaloniere allora di giustizia, gli fu allogata la detta sala. Per il che volendola condurre Lionardo, cominciò un cartone alla sala del papa, luogo in S. Maria Novella, dentrovi la storia di Niccolò Piccinino, capitano del duca Filippo di Milano."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 101–102. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "And it was decided between the Gonfalonier and the chief citizens, the Great Council Chamber having been newly built [...] and having been finished in great haste, it was ordained by public decree that Leonardo should be given some beautiful work to paint; and so the said hall was allotted to him by Piero Soderini, then Gonfalonier of Justice. Whereupon Leonardo, determining to execute this work, began a cartoon in the Sala del Papa, an apartment in S. Maria Novella, representing the story of Niccolò Piccinino, Captain of Duke Filippo of Milan."</ref> The painter experimented with ''new'' techniques involving wax and resin for the project. But the experiment was a ''catastrophic'' failure; the colors ran down the wall. In 1506, Leonardo ''abandoned'' the work for good<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 9. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Et imaginandosi di volere a olio colorire in muro, fece una composizione d’una mistura sì grossa, per lo incollato del muro, che continuando a dipignere in detta sala, cominciò a colare, di maniera che in breve tempo abbandonò quella, vedendola guastare."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 102. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "And conceiving the wish to color on the wall in oils, he made a composition of so gross an admixture, to act as a binder on the wall, that, going on to paint in the said hall, it began to peel off in such a manner that in a short time he abandoned it, seeing it spoiling."</ref>—still, a lovely way of painting a wall.<br><br>Alongside painting, the inventor tried to uncover the secrets of flight, because, why not? This ''long-standing'' obsession can be seen in ''many'' drawings in the {{Wiki|Codex on the Flight of Birds}} in 1505. In the game ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', Ezio Auditore [[Infrequent Flier|uses]] a prototype Flying Machine, designed by his friend Leonardo, to enter the [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia|Doge's palace]] in Venice, where the Templar Knights are threatening to kill the Doge. The device used by the hero is an {{Wiki|ornithopter}} with articulated wings. Leonardo ''really'' did design such a machine, aiming to imitate the shape and flapping of the wings of a bird of prey, but it would never have worked due to the lack of a sufficiently powerful engine. The scientist did not invent the plane—far from it. On the other hand, he is ''unquestionably'' a precursor of ''{{Wiki|Biomimetics|biomimicry}}'', technical innovation ''inspired'' by nature. Careful observation of birds in flight had enabled him to isolate the principle of {{Wiki|Lift (force)|lift}}—so, those long, lazy afternoons as a teenager staring at nature ''really'' weren't wasted.<br><br>In 1506, Leonardo returned to Milan, now governed by the French. He became the ''key'' organizer of celebrations in the small court that formed around the {{Wiki|Marshal of France}}, {{Wiki|Charles II d'Amboise|Charles d'Amboise}}. In 1509, he was tasked with staging the victory celebrations of Louis XII, who returned to the city a hero after his [[War of the League of Cambrai|victory]] over the Venetians. After a few years in Rome, where he was the protégée of {{Wiki|Giuliano de' Medici, Dule of Nemours|Giuliano de' Medici}},<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Andò a Roma col duca Giuliano de' Medici nella creazione di papa Leone, che attendeva molto a cose filosofiche e massimamente alla alchimia."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 99. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "He [Leonardo] went to Rome with Duke Giuliano de' Medici, at the election of Pope Leo, who spent much of his time on philosophical studies, and particularly on alchemy."</ref> Leonardo accepted an invitation from [[Francis I of France|Francis I]] in 1516.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Lionardo intendendo ciò partì, et andò in Francia, dove il re avendo avuto opere sue, gli era molto affezzionato."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 103. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Leonardo, understanding this [disdain from Michelangelo], departed and went into France, where the King, having had works by his hand, bore him great affection."</ref> The King of France admired him and wanted him by his side on the banks of the River [[Loire]]. ''"More than my crown, you will be the jewel of my kingdom,"''{{Cite|3 March 2024}} promised the king—which was very friendly, though, a little creepy.<br><br>After a ''grueling'' journey, an aging Leonardo moved into the ''{{Wiki|Clos Lucé|Manoir du Cloux}}'', a manor house given to him by the monarch just a few hundred meters from ''his own'' residence, the {{Wiki|Château d'Amboise}}. The scientist brought his books and precious manuscripts with him, as well as some of his best works, including the ''Mona Lisa''. The young Francis I was at the ''height'' of his glory following his {{Wiki|Battle of Marignano|victory}} over [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] at {{Wiki|Melegnano}}. He gave him a pension of 1,000 [[Écu|crowns]] and named him the King's first painter, engineer, and architect. For the King of France, Leonardo ''once again'' became a great orchestrator of court festivities. In April 1515, he built his mechanical [[lion]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iicparigi.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/le-lion-mecanique-de-leonard-de/|title=Il Leone meccanico di Leonardo Da Vinci|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604232955/https://iicparigi.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/le-lion-mecanique-de-leonard-de/|archivedate=4 June 2023|author={{Wiki|it:Istituto italiano di cultura di Parigi|Istituto italiano di cultura di Parigi}}|date=12 September 2019|publisher=''Istituto italiano di cultura di Parigi''|accessdate=3 March 2024|language=Italian}}</ref> for the baptism of the {{Wiki|Dauphin of France|Dauphin}}, {{Wiki|Francis III, Duke of Britanny|Francis}}. When the king touched the mechanical animal, a secret hatch swung open on its chest releasing ''lilies'', in reference to the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of French royalty.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "E per tornare alle opere di Lionardo, venne al suo tempo in Milano il re di Francia, onde pregato Lionardo di far qualche cosa bizzarra, fece un lione, che caminò parecchi passi, poi s'aperse il petto e mostrò tutto pien di gigli."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 99. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "And to return to the works of Leonardo; there came to Milan, in his time, the King of France, wherefore Leonardo being asked to devise some bizarre thing, made a lion which walked several steps and then opened its breast, and showed it full of lilies."</ref><ref>{{Youtube|video=jlBMWf-429I|text=Leonardo3 Museum - Leone meccanico/Mechanical Lion|channel=leonardo3museum|channelname=Leonardo3 Museum and Exhibitions}}</ref><br><br>It was one of the Italian genius' ''last'' magical creations. Much weakened, Leonardo died on the 2nd of May 1519 at the age of 67. During his lifetime, he skillfully created his own myth, and after his death, the legend continued. In a famous painting by {{Wiki|Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres}}, ''{{Wiki|The Death of Leonardo da Vinci}}'', painted in 1819 for the 300th anniversary of his death, the old man takes his last breath in the arms of the King of France, who embraces him like a son.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Sopragiunseli il re che spesso et amorevolmente lo soleva visitare; per il che egli per riverenza rizzatosi a sedere sul letto, contando il mal suo e gli accidenti di quello mostrava tuttavia quanto avea offeso Dio e gli uomini del mondo, non avendo operato nell'arte come si conveniva. Onde gli venne un parossismo messaggero della morte. Per la qual cosa rizzatosi il re e presoli la testa per aiutarlo e porgerli favore, acciò che il male lo allegerisse, lo spirito suo, che divinissimo era, conoscendo non potere avere maggiore onore, spirò in braccio a quel re nella età sua d'anni 75."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 104. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "The King, who was wont often and lovingly to visit him, then came into the room; wherefore he, out of reverence, having raised himself to sit upon the bed, giving him an account of his sickness and the circumstances of it, showed withal how much he had offended God and mankind in not having worked at his art as he should have done. Thereupon he was seized by a paroxysm, the messenger of death; for which reason the King having risen and having taken his head, in order to assist him and show him favor, to the end that he might alleviate his pain, his spirit, which was divine, knowing that it could not have any greater honor, expired in the arms of the King, in the seventy-fifth year of his age."</ref> It's pure ''fiction'', as Francis I was in ''{{Wiki|Saint-Germain-en-Laye}}'' at the time of Leonardo's death, but it reflects Leonardo's place in our imagination. With his ''unforgettable'' pieces that ''revolutionized'' painting, and drawings that sometimes feel like he has ''seen'' the future, Leonardo da Vinci embodied the creative power of human genius. His career, with its sometimes circuitous path, failures, and many borrowings from the discoveries of others, reminds us that arts and science are first and foremost ''collective'' adventures. He may have been a genius, but Leonardo da Vinci was just one cog in the great machine we call progress. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' | | *'''Danny Wallace:''' "Not only in his lifetime was Leonardo da Vinci held in esteem, but his reputation became even greater among posterity after his death," ''wrote {{Wiki|Giorgio Vasari|Vasari}}, the first art historian, in 1550.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''[[wikisource:it:Le vite de' più eccellenti pittori, scultori e architettori (1568)|Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567]]''. Florence, {{Wiki|Giunti (printers)|Giunti}}, 1568. 2nd ed, vol. 2. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 2. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "La forza in lui fu molta e congiunta con la destrezza, l'animo e 'l valore, sempre regio e magnanimo. E la fama del suo nome tanto s'allargò, che non solo nel suo tempo fu tenuto in pregio, ma pervenne ancora molto più ne' posteri dopo la morte sua."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''{{Wiki|Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects}}''. London, {{Wiki|Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan and Co. Ltd.}} & [https://www.medici.co.uk/ The Medici Society, Ltd.], 1913. [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28420/28420-h/28420-h.htm Vol. 4]. Translated by Gaston du C. De Vere. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 89. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "In him was great bodily strength, joined to dexterity, with a spirit and courage ever royal and magnanimous; and the fame of his name so increased, that not only in his lifetime was he held in esteem, but his reputation became even greater among posterity after his death."</ref> More than ''five centuries'' after his death, the genius still inspires the same admiration. And even now, he's breaking records: in 2017, ''{{Wiki|Salvator Mundi (Leonardo)|Salvator Mundi}}'', a painting attributed to him—though that ''is'' disputed—was sold for $450 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-art-auction-da-vinci-abudhabi/abu-dhabi-to-acquire-leonardo-da-vincis-salvator-mundi-christies-idUSKBN1E22IN/|title=Abu Dhabi to acquire Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi': Christie's|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208235650/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-art-auction-da-vinci-abudhabi/abu-dhabi-to-acquire-leonardo-da-vincis-salvator-mundi-christies-idUSKBN1E22IN/|archivedate=8 December 2017|author=Bayoumy, Yara|date=8 December 2017|publisher=''{{Wiki|Reuters}}''|accessdate=3 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Youtube|video=3orkmMlSpmI|text=Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi' <nowiki>|</nowiki> 2017 World Auction Record <nowiki>|</nowiki> Christie's|channel=christies|channelname=Christie's}}</ref> And in 2019, the [[Louvre]] dedicated a ''major'' exhibition to him<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/leonardo-da-vinci|title=Leonardo da Vinci|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413201603/https://www.louvre.fr/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/leonardo-da-vinci|archivedate=13 April 2021|author=Louvre|date=24 October 2019|publisher=''Louvre''|accessdate=3 March 2024}}</ref> which attracted more than a ''million'' visitors in four months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://presse.louvre.fr/1-1-million-visitors-for-leonardo-da-vincibr-a-new-record-for-an-exhibitionnbspat-the-louvre/|title=1.1 million visitors for "Leonardo da Vinci": A new record for an exhibition at the Louvre|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715183448/https://presse.louvre.fr/1-1-million-visitors-for-leonardo-da-vincibr-a-new-record-for-an-exhibitionnbspat-the-louvre/|archivedate=15 July 2020|author=Louvre|date=25 February 2020|publisher=''Louvre''|accessdate=3 March 2024}}</ref> Bringing together his greatest paintings and ''many'' drawings, the museum celebrated an ''exceptional'' mind with ''limitless'' curiosity. Da Vinci explored many areas of knowledge, including {{Wiki|Perspective (graphical)|perspective}}, geometry, astronomy, architecture, and engineering. Each era has created its own legend about Leonardo: from the 16th century onwards, he was celebrated as a painter; in the 19th, the discovery of his {{Wiki|Category:Codices by Leonardo da Vinci|forgotten manuscripts}} made him famous as an engineer. More recently, some people have tried to ''tarnish'' this image, pointing out the gaps in Leonardo da Vinci's knowledge and claiming him a fraud. Despite these sometimes legitimate criticisms, the myth of the "universal man" capable of inventing the future has taken hold—he ''did'' design [[Flying Machine]]s and [[tank]]s, after all. However, nothing predisposed the young boy, born in 1552 in the [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] countryside, to such glory.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode ten, Leonardo da Vinci.<br><br>Born in {{Wiki|Vinci, Tuscany|Vinci}}, a small town halfway between [[Pisa]] and Florence, Leonardo was the son of Piero da Vinci, a {{Wiki|Civil law notary|notary}}, and a woman named Caterina, about whom we know almost nothing. Leonardo didn't follow in his father's footsteps—attending university was ''out of the question'' as he born out of wedlock. Surrounded by his grandparents' love, he was self-taught. He ''devoured'' [[Ovid]]'s ''[[Metamorphoses]]'' and spent most of his time contemplating nature. This appreciation of the beauty of landscapes and animals, combined with a particularly ''keen'' sense of observation, gave rise to his unmatched drawing skills. A [[commons:Category:Codex on the Flight of Birds|bird in flight]], the anatomy of a bee,<ref>Kritsky, Gene and Daniel Mader (1 July 2010). "Leonardo's Insects", ''{{Wiki|Entomological Society of America|American Entomologist}}'', '''56'''(3). [[Oxford]], {{Wiki|Oxford University Press}}. pg. 178–184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/56.3.178. Retrieved on 3 March 2024.</ref> from an early age, Leonardo ''filled'' his small notebooks with sketches.<br><br>In 1466, the young man moved to Florence. His father got him an apprenticeship with [[Andrea del Verrocchio]] at one of the most prestigious workshops in the city. In this ''[[wikt:bottega|bottega]]'', the master and his pupils ''excelled'' in a wide range of crafts, from painting and sculpture to goldsmithing, cabinetmaking, and metalworking. Alongside his talented fellow students—including [[Pietro Perugino|Perugino]] and [[Sandro Botticelli|Botticelli]]—Leonardo observed, exchanged, and accumulated impressive skills. And the city was a ''constant'' work in progress; he was ''fascinated'' by the building site for the dome of the [[Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore|Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore]]. Engineers had designed special cranes to position the building materials with ''great'' precision nearly 100 meters above the ground. Young Leonardo was responsonble for making the {{Wiki|Gilding|gilt}} [[copper]] bowl topping the dome. As it was made of several pieces, he had to climb to the top of the Duomo to assemble and solder it using a mirror to reflect the sun's light.<br><br>During his time in Florence, Leonardo da Vinci established himself as an independant artist. In 1473, he painted ''[[Annunciation]]'', an early work with ''some'' inaccuracies, but ''already'' showing incredible technical skill and originality. However, when he set up his own [[Bottega di Leonardo|workshop]] five years later at the age of 26, he ''struggled'' to stand out from the ''fierce'' competition. The [[House of Medici|Medici]] court remained inaccessible; without {{Wiki|Italian Renaissance painting|classical training}}, Leonardo ''did not'' have the ''vital'' cultural background to ''shine'' among the elite. In 1482, he seized the opportunity to spread his wings. The next chapter of his story would be played out in [[Milan]].<br><br>When [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] sent him to the court of [[Ludovico Sforza]] to stage a musical, Leonardo made a bold move: he offered his services to the nobleman. In {{Wiki|Personal life of Leonardo da Vinci#Résumé|his letter}} to Sforza, the artist boasts, oddly enough, of his talents as a ''military'' engineer. He claims to be able to design [[war machine]]s; cannons; and'' "covered vehicles, safe and unassailable, which will penetrate the enemy and their artillery, and there is no host of armed men so great that they would not break through it."<ref>da Vinci, Leonardo. ''[[wikisource:The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci|The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci]]''. Translated by {{Wiki|Jean Paul Richter}}. 1888. Vol. 2. "XXI. Letters. Personal Records. Dated Notes". Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "6) Item. I will make covered chariots, safe and unattackable which, entering among the enemy with their artillery, there is no body of men so great but they would break them. And behind these, infantry could follow quite unhurt and without any hindrance."</ref> ''By doing so, he created his own myth. It's true that Leonardo had drawn many military technical drawings, but they were merely sketches designed by borrowing extensively from contemporary engineers, and often unworkable. Except, that Leonardo surpassed ''all'' his predecessors in ''one'' area: technical drawings where the accuracy of his line worked ''wonders''. In an exploded view of an object, be broke it down, describing ''each part'' in detail. He had a perfect understanding of perspective. Leonardo may have taken and compiled the ideas of his predecessors, but in doing so, he surpassed them. Sforza was ''not so easily'' won over, and the so-called "engineer" had to wait until 1489 to ''properly'' gain entry to {{Wiki|Castello Sforzesco}}.<br><br>In the Milanese court, Leonardo gained a reputation for organizing celebrations, a key tool in political communication—and I suppose just fun! To celebrate the wedding of {{Wiki|Isabella of Aragon, Duchess of Milan|Isabella of Aragon}} and {{Wiki|Gian Galeazzo Sforza}} in 1490 during the famous ''{{Wiki|it:Festa del Paradiso|Festa del Paradiso}}'', he staged a ''marvelous'' {{Wiki|operetta}}, ''Il Paradiso'', using complex machinery and special effects. A ''gigantic'' golden sphere spun among the costumed dancers and musicians. Glowing stars, and the seven planets known of at the time, were revealed through openings in the sphere.<ref>{{Wiki|it:Pietro Fanfani|Fanfani, Pietro}}. ''[https://archive.org/details/rimebernardo02belluoft/rimebernardo02belluoft/page/n7/mode/2up Le Rime di Bernardo Bellincioni, riscontrate sui manoscritti]''. {{Wiki|Bologna}}: Presso Gaetano Romagnoli, 1878. Vol. II. pg. 208. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Festa ossia rappresentazione chiamata Paradiso, che fece fare il Signore Ludovico in laude délia duchessa di Milano, e così chiamasi, perchè vi era fabbricato con il grande ingegno ed arte di maestro Leonardo Vinci fiorentino il Paradiso, con tutti li sette pianeti che girovano, e li pianeti erano rappresentati da uomini nella forma ed abiti che si descrivono dai poeti, e tutti parlano in Iode délia prefata duchessa Isabella."</ref><ref>{{Wiki|Eugène Müntz|Müntz, Eugène}}. ''[https://archive.org/details/leonardodavincia01munt/mode/page/n11/2up Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Thinker, and Man of Science]''. London: {{Wiki|William Heinemann}}; New York: {{Wiki|Charles Scribner's Sons}}, 1898. Vol. I. "Chapter IV". pg. 107. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "In 1489, on the occasion of the marriage of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, the latter collaborated with the poet {{Wiki|Bernardo Bellincioni|Bellincioni}}, in the construction of a theatrical machine, which they christened "Il Paradiso." It was a colossal orrery, in which the planets, represented by actors of flesh and blood, revolved round the princess by means of an ingenious mechanism, and sang her praises."</ref> Between 1495 and 1498, Leonardo, who ''hadn't'' abandoned painting, produced one of his masterpieces, ''{{Wiki|The Last Supper (Leonardo)|The Last Supper}}'', which hung in the {{Wiki|refectory}} of the Dominican convent of {{Wiki|Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan|Santa Maria delle Grazie}}. In 1499, when Louis XII, the king of France, chased the Sforza family from Milan, he was ''blown away'' by this ''gorgeous'' {{Wiki|fresco}}. He even thought of taking it back with him to ''France''<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 6–7. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "La nobiltà di questa pittura, sì per il componimento, sì per essere finita con una incomparabile diligenza, fece venir voglia al re di Francia, di condurla nel regno: onde tentò per ogni via, se ci fussi stato architetti, che con travate di legnami e di ferri, l’avessino potuta armar di maniera, che ella si fosse condotta salva, senza considerare a spesa, che vi si fusse potuta fare, tanto la desiderava."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 97. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "The nobility of this picture, both because of its design, and from its having been wrought with an incomparable diligence, awoke a desire in the King of France to transport it into his kingdom; wherefore he tried by all possible means to discover whether there were architects who, with cross-stays of wood and iron, might have been able to make it so secure that it might be transported safely; without considering any expense that might have been involved thereby, so much did he desire it."</ref>—which was a bit cheeky!<br><br>During the turbulent [[Italian Wars]], Leonardo became a sort of travelling military engineer, moving from town to town. He'd amassed ''real'' skills during this time in Milan, working with the ''best'' gunsmiths, observing cannon production in the arsenals, and increasing his knowledge of the art of war. While in Venice in 1500, he tried, but failed, to convince the {{Wiki|Venetian Senate|Senate}} to carry out ''major'' fortification works. In 1502,he was 50 years old and entered the service of Cesare Borgia, who had just captured [[Urbino]]. At his side, Leonardo travelled his territory as his chief military engineer. He designed war machines, strengthened fortresses, and drew maps. His {{Wiki|File:Leonardo da Vinci - Plan of Imola - Google Art Project.jpg|map}} of {{Wiki|Imola}}, which he created in 1502, ''revolutionized'' cartography. His design offered the ''first'' view of the town from above. But Cesare Borgia's rise came to an end in 1503, when he was imprisoned by his rivals. Leonardo then returned to Florence.<br><br>This was where he started the portrait of [[Lisa del Giocondo]]. It was never delivered to the wealthy silk merchant who commissioned it. Little did he know he was married to the most famous model of all time.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Prese Lionardo a fare per Francesco del Giocondo il ritratto di Monna Lisa sua moglie, e quattro anni penatovi lo lasciò imperfetto, la quale opera oggi è appresso il re Francesco di Francia in Fontanableò."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 100. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Leonardo undertook to execute, for Francesco del Giocondo, the portrait of Monna Lisa, his wife; and after toiling over it for four years, he left it unfinished; and the work is now in the collection of King Francis of France, at Fontainebleau."</ref> Leonardo never finished the ''{{Wiki|Mona Lisa}}'' until 1515 because he was involved in a ''massive'' project. In 1503, [[Piero Soderini]], the new statesman of Florence, commissioned him to make a ''monumental'' {{Wiki|The Battle of Anghiari (Leonardo)|fresco}} of the [[Battle of Anghiari]], celebrating the {{Wiki|Anghiari|Tuscan city}}'s triumph over Milan in 1440.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "E tra il gonfalonieri et i cittadini grandi si praticò che essendosi fatta di nuovo la gran sala del consiglio [...] La quale finita, con grande prestezza fu per decreto publico ordinato, che a Lionardo fussi dato a dipignere qualche opera bella; e così da Piero Soderini, gonfaloniere allora di giustizia, gli fu allogata la detta sala. Per il che volendola condurre Lionardo, cominciò un cartone alla sala del papa, luogo in S. Maria Novella, dentrovi la storia di Niccolò Piccinino, capitano del duca Filippo di Milano."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 101–102. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "And it was decided between the Gonfalonier and the chief citizens, the Great Council Chamber having been newly built [...] and having been finished in great haste, it was ordained by public decree that Leonardo should be given some beautiful work to paint; and so the said hall was allotted to him by Piero Soderini, then Gonfalonier of Justice. Whereupon Leonardo, determining to execute this work, began a cartoon in the Sala del Papa, an apartment in S. Maria Novella, representing the story of Niccolò Piccinino, Captain of Duke Filippo of Milan."</ref> The painter experimented with ''new'' techniques involving wax and resin for the project. But the experiment was a ''catastrophic'' failure; the colors ran down the wall. In 1506, Leonardo ''abandoned'' the work for good<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 9. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Et imaginandosi di volere a olio colorire in muro, fece una composizione d’una mistura sì grossa, per lo incollato del muro, che continuando a dipignere in detta sala, cominciò a colare, di maniera che in breve tempo abbandonò quella, vedendola guastare."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 102. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "And conceiving the wish to color on the wall in oils, he made a composition of so gross an admixture, to act as a binder on the wall, that, going on to paint in the said hall, it began to peel off in such a manner that in a short time he abandoned it, seeing it spoiling."</ref>—still, a lovely way of painting a wall.<br><br>Alongside painting, the inventor tried to uncover the secrets of flight, because, why not? This ''long-standing'' obsession can be seen in ''many'' drawings in the {{Wiki|Codex on the Flight of Birds}} in 1505. In the game ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', Ezio Auditore [[Infrequent Flier|uses]] a prototype Flying Machine, designed by his friend Leonardo, to enter the [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia|Doge's palace]] in Venice, where the Templar Knights are threatening to kill the Doge. The device used by the hero is an {{Wiki|ornithopter}} with articulated wings. Leonardo ''really'' did design such a machine, aiming to imitate the shape and flapping of the wings of a bird of prey, but it would never have worked due to the lack of a sufficiently powerful engine. The scientist did not invent the plane—far from it. On the other hand, he is ''unquestionably'' a precursor of ''{{Wiki|Biomimetics|biomimicry}}'', technical innovation ''inspired'' by nature. Careful observation of birds in flight had enabled him to isolate the principle of {{Wiki|Lift (force)|lift}}—so, those long, lazy afternoons as a teenager staring at nature ''really'' weren't wasted.<br><br>In 1506, Leonardo returned to Milan, now governed by the French. He became the ''key'' organizer of celebrations in the small court that formed around the {{Wiki|Marshal of France}}, {{Wiki|Charles II d'Amboise|Charles d'Amboise}}. In 1509, he was tasked with staging the victory celebrations of Louis XII, who returned to the city a hero after his [[War of the League of Cambrai|victory]] over the Venetians. After a few years in Rome, where he was the protégée of {{Wiki|Giuliano de' Medici, Dule of Nemours|Giuliano de' Medici}},<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Andò a Roma col duca Giuliano de' Medici nella creazione di papa Leone, che attendeva molto a cose filosofiche e massimamente alla alchimia."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 99. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "He [Leonardo] went to Rome with Duke Giuliano de' Medici, at the election of Pope Leo, who spent much of his time on philosophical studies, and particularly on alchemy."</ref> Leonardo accepted an invitation from [[Francis I of France|Francis I]] in 1516.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Lionardo intendendo ciò partì, et andò in Francia, dove il re avendo avuto opere sue, gli era molto affezzionato."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 103. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Leonardo, understanding this [disdain from Michelangelo], departed and went into France, where the King, having had works by his hand, bore him great affection."</ref> The King of France admired him and wanted him by his side on the banks of the River [[Loire]]. ''"More than my crown, you will be the jewel of my kingdom,"''{{Cite|3 March 2024}} promised the king—which was very friendly, though, a little creepy.<br><br>After a ''grueling'' journey, an aging Leonardo moved into the ''{{Wiki|Clos Lucé|Manoir du Cloux}}'', a manor house given to him by the monarch just a few hundred meters from ''his own'' residence, the {{Wiki|Château d'Amboise}}. The scientist brought his books and precious manuscripts with him, as well as some of his best works, including the ''Mona Lisa''. The young Francis I was at the ''height'' of his glory following his {{Wiki|Battle of Marignano|victory}} over [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] at {{Wiki|Melegnano}}. He gave him a pension of 1,000 [[Écu|crowns]] and named him the King's first painter, engineer, and architect. For the King of France, Leonardo ''once again'' became a great orchestrator of court festivities. In April 1515, he built his mechanical [[lion]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iicparigi.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/le-lion-mecanique-de-leonard-de/|title=Il Leone meccanico di Leonardo Da Vinci|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604232955/https://iicparigi.esteri.it/it/gli_eventi/calendario/le-lion-mecanique-de-leonard-de/|archivedate=4 June 2023|author={{Wiki|it:Istituto italiano di cultura di Parigi|Istituto italiano di cultura di Parigi}}|date=12 September 2019|publisher=''Istituto italiano di cultura di Parigi''|accessdate=3 March 2024|language=Italian}}</ref> for the baptism of the {{Wiki|Dauphin of France|Dauphin}}, {{Wiki|Francis III, Duke of Britanny|Francis}}. When the king touched the mechanical animal, a secret hatch swung open on its chest releasing ''lilies'', in reference to the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of French royalty.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "E per tornare alle opere di Lionardo, venne al suo tempo in Milano il re di Francia, onde pregato Lionardo di far qualche cosa bizzarra, fece un lione, che caminò parecchi passi, poi s'aperse il petto e mostrò tutto pien di gigli."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 99. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "And to return to the works of Leonardo; there came to Milan, in his time, the King of France, wherefore Leonardo being asked to devise some bizarre thing, made a lion which walked several steps and then opened its breast, and showed it full of lilies."</ref><ref>{{Youtube|video=jlBMWf-429I|text=Leonardo3 Museum - Leone meccanico/Mechanical Lion|channel=leonardo3museum|channelname=Leonardo3 Museum and Exhibitions}}</ref><br><br>It was one of the Italian genius' ''last'' magical creations. Much weakened, Leonardo died on the 2nd of May 1519 at the age of 67. During his lifetime, he skillfully created his own myth, and after his death, the legend continued. In a famous painting by {{Wiki|Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres}}, ''{{Wiki|The Death of Leonardo da Vinci}}'', painted in 1819 for the 300th anniversary of his death, the old man takes his last breath in the arms of the King of France, who embraces him like a son.<ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori, et architettori, scritte et di nuovo Ampliate da M. Giorgio Vasari Pittore et Architetto Aretino, co' ritratti loro et con le nuove vite dal 1550 insino al 1567''. "Vita di Lionardo da Vinci Pittore e Scultore Fiorentino". pg. 8. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "Sopragiunseli il re che spesso et amorevolmente lo soleva visitare; per il che egli per riverenza rizzatosi a sedere sul letto, contando il mal suo e gli accidenti di quello mostrava tuttavia quanto avea offeso Dio e gli uomini del mondo, non avendo operato nell'arte come si conveniva. Onde gli venne un parossismo messaggero della morte. Per la qual cosa rizzatosi il re e presoli la testa per aiutarlo e porgerli favore, acciò che il male lo allegerisse, lo spirito suo, che divinissimo era, conoscendo non potere avere maggiore onore, spirò in braccio a quel re nella età sua d'anni 75."</ref><ref>Vasari, Giorgio. ''Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects''. "Life of Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Sculptor of Florence". pg. 104. Retrieved on 3 March 2024. "The King, who was wont often and lovingly to visit him, then came into the room; wherefore he, out of reverence, having raised himself to sit upon the bed, giving him an account of his sickness and the circumstances of it, showed withal how much he had offended God and mankind in not having worked at his art as he should have done. Thereupon he was seized by a paroxysm, the messenger of death; for which reason the King having risen and having taken his head, in order to assist him and show him favor, to the end that he might alleviate his pain, his spirit, which was divine, knowing that it could not have any greater honor, expired in the arms of the King, in the seventy-fifth year of his age."</ref> It's pure ''fiction'', as Francis I was in ''{{Wiki|Saint-Germain-en-Laye}}'' at the time of Leonardo's death, but it reflects Leonardo's place in our imagination. With his ''unforgettable'' pieces that ''revolutionized'' painting, and drawings that sometimes feel like he has ''seen'' the future, Leonardo da Vinci embodied the creative power of human genius. His career, with its sometimes circuitous path, failures, and many borrowings from the discoveries of others, reminds us that arts and science are first and foremost ''collective'' adventures. He may have been a genius, but Leonardo da Vinci was just one cog in the great machine we call progress. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.'' |
