Juan Borgia the Elder

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For his younger cousin, see Juan Borgia the Younger.

"The finer things in life make power so rewarding. I see an apple, I can pluck that apple. No one will stop me."

―Juan Borgia

Juan Borgia the Elder (1446 - 1 August 1503), historically known as Cardinal Juan de Borja Lanzol de Romani, was one of Cesare Borgia's three generals, who ruled over Rome during the reign of Pope Alexander VI. He was the first Cardinal-nephew appointed by Alexander, and also a member of the Templar Order.

Occasionally referred to as "the Banker," he handled Cesare's military funds, and aided the Borgia's campaigns to subdue Italy for the Templars. However, he also spent a considerable amount of money throwing lavish (and usually sexually-oriented) public parties.

Biography

Monteriggioni

On January 2nd 1500, Juan accompanied his cousin Cesare Borgia, the latter's sister Lucrezia, and his fellow Templars Octavian de Valois and Micheletto Corella to lay siege to Monteriggioni and the Auditore family villa.

After the gates had been breached, the group entered the city, with Juan holding Caterina Sforza captive. The battle was won shortly afterwards, and Juan and the others returned to Rome with the Apple of Eden as their prize.

Rome

In around June 1501 in Rome, Juan, Cesare, Octavian and Micheletto held a brief meeting in the stable courtyard of the Castel Sant'Angelo. There, just before he departed to besiege Urbino, Cesare ordered the three to play along with his father's "tired old men's club" for now, but to remember who they really served, and left Rome in their hands.

Juan with Cesare and his two other Generals.

In 1503, the Assassin Ezio Auditore came to the conclusion that, in order for the Borgia Empire to be struck down, the Banker would need to be located and killed. Unfortunately, Juan at the time had yet to be identified, as he was simply referred to by most as "the Banker."

Ezio found a lead on Juan's whereabouts through his sister, who directed him towards Egidio Troche, a Roman senator who was indebted to Juan. After gaining the aid of Egidio by saving him and paying off his debt, Ezio discovered that Juan was throwing a Pagan Party, and would be present at the celebration.

Death

Juan's final moments.

On August 1st, 1503, Ezio tailed the courier delivering Edigio’s money and found Juan at the party, discovering his name after the Banker introduced himself to a courtesan. As Juan walked towards the main area of the party with the courtesan, he expressed to her his deep appreciation for power, stating that merely plucking an apple from a tree made him feel superior. Finally, they reached the center of the festivities, where Cesare gave a brief speech on a soon-to-be-united Italy, before officially beginning the party.

After a brief argument between the Pope and Captain General, and their subsequent departure, Ezio turned his attention to Juan. Juan strangled the courtesan in his company and moved through the crowd, surrounded by seekers. Although Juan was heavily guarded, the Assassin moved through the busy crowd of guests and positioned himself on a nearby bench.

As Juan passed by, Ezio swiftly assassinated him, and as he died, Juan claimed that he regretted none of the indulgences he had enjoyed. Ezio replied that a man of true strength and power should be contemptuous with delicacies. Juan then objected that he had given the people what they wanted, but Ezio stated that that was the reason for his downfall.

Final Words

• Juan: The things I have felt, seen and tasted. I do not regret a moment of it.
• Ezio: A man of power must be contemptuous of delicacies.
• Juan: But... I gave the people what they wanted.
• Ezio: And now you pay for it. Il piacere immeritato si consuma da sé. (Pleasure unearned consumes itself.) Requiescat in pace. (Rest in peace.)

Trivia

• It is possible to assassinate Juan Borgia without being detected before or after killing him.
• If Italian subtitles are enabled, Juan will introduce himself to the courtesan as "Giovanni Borgia."
• Following Cesare's speech at the party, he appears to have strangled the courtesan to death.
• In the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel, an alternate version of Juan's death occurs in which he is in a private room and Ezio cuts off three of Juan's fingers as he attempts to raise the alarm and proceeds to kill him with the hidden blade.

Gallery

• Juan's concept art.
  Juan's concept art.
• 
  Juan in his party attire.
• 
  Juan Borgia dispatching the Papal Guard after receiving the payment.
• 
  Ezio lunging at Juan and a courtesan.
• 
  Juan Borgia the Elder's portrait in the Tiber Island Hideout
• 
  Concept art for Juan, as showcased during an international art exhibition.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

de:Juan Borgia der Ältere