Juan Borgia the Elder

For his younger cousin, see Juan Borgia the Younger.

Juan Borgia the Elder, historically known as Cardinal Juan de Borja Lanzol de Romaní (1446 - August 1 1503) was one of Cesare Borgia's three generals who ruled over Rome during the reign of Pope Alexander VI and was a member of the Templar Order. He was Cesare's personal Banker and used his money to fund Cesare's wars, aiding the Borgia's campaigns to subdue Italy for the Templars, but also spent a considerable amount of money throwing lavish, and usually sexually oriented public parties. He was the eldest of Rodrigo Borgia's nephews.

Biography

Monteriggioni

In January of 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 on Monteriggioni and the Auditore family Villa. After the gates had been breached, the group entered the city, with Juan holding Caterina Sforza captive. After the battle was won, Juan and the others returned to Rome with the Piece of Eden as their prize.

Rome

In 1500 in Rome, Juan, Cesare, Octavian de Valois, and Micheletto Corella held a brief meeting in a courtyard of the Castel Sant'Angelo. There Cesare ordered them to play along with his father's "tired old men's club" until they were of no further use to his plans, before departing to besiege Urbino.

In 1503 the Assassin Ezio Auditore came to the conclusion that in order for the Borgia Empire to fall apart, the Banker who funded Cesare's wars throughout Europe had to be located and killed. Unfortunately, Juan at the time had yet to be identified, simply being referred to as "the Banker." Ezio found a lead on discovering the whereabouts and identity of the banker when his sister directed him towards Egidio Troche, a Roman senator who was in debt to Juan. After gaining the aid of Egidio by saving him and paying off his debt, Ezio discovered that Juan Borgia was throwing a Pagan Party and would be present at the celebration.

On August 1st 1503, after tailing the courier carrying Edigio’s money, Ezio found Juan who introduced himself to one of Claudia's courtesans. Juan, walking alongside the courtesan, expressed his deep appreciation for power, stating that merely plucking an apple from a tree made him feel superior. When making his main to the main area of the party Cesare gave a brief speech on a soon to be united Italy and then officially began the party.

Juan's final moments.

After a brief argument between the Pope and Captain General, and their departure, Ezio then turned his attention to Juan. Although Juan was heavily guarded, Ezio moved through the busy crowd of guests and positioned himself on a nearby bench. As Juan passed by, the Assassin swiftly took the opportunity to assassinate him. As he died, he 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

• To get 100% synchronization during his assassination, Ezio must remain undetected during the entire segment and kill him while sitting down on a bench.
• Heralds will continue advertising parties hosted by Juan even after his death.
• It is possible to assassinate Juan Borgia without getting detected before or after killing him.
• If the player has enabled Italian subtitles, Juan will introduce himself to the courtesan as Giovanni Borgia.
• If, at the party, you stay in the hay wagon until Juan starts moving, it seems that he has killed a courtesan and this is the reason for his move.

Gallery

• Juan receiving a box from a Papal Guard.
  Juan receiving a box from a Papal Guard.
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  Ezio lunging at Juan and a courtesan.
• Juan Borgia the Elder Artwork
  Juan Borgia the Elder Artwork