What is giovanni borgia (infans romanus)?

Giovanni Borgia, also known as Infans Romanus, was the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI and his mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was born in 1498 in Rome and was the youngest of the Borgias' four children.

Despite his illegitimate status, Giovanni was bestowed with several noble titles throughout his life. In 1499, his father granted him the title of Infans Romanus, which granted him the rights and privileges of a royal prince.

In 1501, at the age of three, Giovanni was betrothed to Sancia of Aragon, the daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples. However, the marriage never took place, and Giovanni remained unmarried for the rest of his life.

In 1503, when Alexander VI died, Giovanni's fate took a tragic turn. His brother Cesare Borgia, who had been the power behind their father's papacy, was deposed and imprisoned. Giovanni and his sister Lucrezia were also imprisoned and held in the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome.

Giovanni died under mysterious circumstances in 1497, at the age of ten. Some historians speculate that he was poisoned, possibly by his own brother Cesare, who feared that Giovanni might one day challenge his claim to power. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.

Today, Giovanni is mostly remembered for his tragic fate and the scandalous reputation of his family, the Borgias. However, his short life serves as a reminder of the political intrigues and power struggles that characterized Renaissance Europe.