A lust for power and wealth has oftentimes been the driving force of some of the world’s most horrific individuals. From political pawns to poison to assassinations, humanity has certainly inspired many dark literary works, some of which have continued to haunt us to this day. However, none have inspired us more so than that of the Borgias.

The Borgias were an aristocratic family who didn’t hesitate to destroy anyone who got in their way. By using their heirs, they were able to climb to the top, and stay that way for quite some time. The head of the family was Pope Alexander VI. A controversial pope, he reigned during the Renaissance and was known to have had many mistresses on the side. Some historians contend that he had poisoned his enemies and those who spoke out against him, and was often accused of nepotism and bribery in order to attain power. While he was a patron of the arts, in the end, he was particularly infamous because of his crimes. There were even rumors that he had engaged in incest with his daughter, though this is more likely just speculation.

Two of the Pope’s children, Cesare and Lucrezia, were no different. Lucrezia was often used as a pawn by her father, and had undergone three arranged marriages to try to satisfy his ego. She was often described as beautiful, and had an impact on everyone she met just by using her looks alone. Cesare, on the other hand, was ruthless and, like his father, struggled for power, and would often use others to his advantage. He was the Duke of Valentinois, and was often the subject of Machiavellian works. While there were rumors that both Cesare and Lucrezia had engaged in an incestuous relationship, there has so far been no evidence to suggest this. Even so, their relationship became a point of inspiration for various writers and artists.

Infamously enough, the Borgias were known for their greed and cruel methods of getting to the top. One of their ways of getting rid of rivals was through the use of a special compound of arsenic called cantarella. For such a beautiful name, it was used as a poison to silence enemies and other rivals, as well as ensure that political pawns fell in line. Pope Alexander VI was particularly fond of the poison. Lucrezia, meanwhile, had built up a reputation of being a whore, as well as a witch. Cesare had even been rumored to kill his older brother, Juan, and had massacred and slaughtered in order to gain conquests. Despite the fact that the Borgias were probably typical of the families living in Renaissance Italy, many of which were vying for power, they were still depicted in a way that helped solidify them into the past and present. When we see them, we picture them as a cruel family, doing whatever it takes to cling to their luxurious life, however fleeting it may be.

Even today, the Borgias have continued to inspire mystery and intrigue. They are often the subjects of many stories, such as that of Assassin’s Creed, and have even starred in their own television show, The Borgias. Many history books have been written about them, and even a song, Cantarella, was inspired by the possibly fictional relationship between Lucrezia and Cesare that has managed to capture the muses of many artists and authors, mine included. Their gothic elegance was possibly the clearest glimpses we could ever see within the Italian Renaissance. Their very existence alone proved that, despite the glamor of the period, a more sinister shadow lurked within the fabric of that society.