Not Just the Tudors
Mysterious Murder of Juan Borgia
Jan 23, 2025
In this captivating discussion, Professor Catherine Fletcher, an expert on the Borgia family, unravels the dark mystery surrounding the murder of Juan Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI. She explores the chilling circumstances of his disappearance and the suspects, including his own brother Cesare. Delving into the political motivations and family dynamics, Fletcher highlights the intense rivalries of the Renaissance era and the unresolved questions that continue to shroud this historical cold case in intrigue.
34:46
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Quick takeaways
- The brutal murder of Juan Borgia in 1497 highlighted intense family rivalries and political tensions within Renaissance Italy, suggesting a politically motivated crime.
- The lack of decisive evidence in Juan's case led to a myriad of suspects, illustrating the complex web of personal vendettas and political ambitions among noble families.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Circumstances of Juan Borgia's Death
On June 14, 1497, Juan Borgia, the favored son of Pope Alexander VI, disappeared after leaving a family gathering in Rome, setting off a chain of events leading to his murder. His body was later discovered in the Tiber River, brutally slashed and stabbed, prompting an investigation that revealed deep family and political tensions. Speculation arose surrounding the motives of various family members, including his brother Cesare, who stood to gain significantly from Juan's death, as well as his sister Lucrezia and other potential political rivals. The gruesome nature of the crime, compounded by the absence of clear evidence pointing to a motive of robbery, indicated that Juan's murder was likely politically motivated.
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