TO DON MICHELANGELO GAETANI DUKE OF SERMONETA

My honored Duke: I am induced to dedicate this work to you by the historical circumstances of which it treats and also by personal considerations.

In it you will behold the founders of your ancient and illustrious family. The Borgias were mortal enemies of the Gaetani, who narrowly escaped the fate prepared for them by Alexander VI and his terrible son. Beautiful Sermoneta and all the great fiefs in the Maremma fell into the maw of the Borgias, and your ancestors either found death at their hands or were driven into exile. Donna Lucretia became mistress of Sermoneta, and eventually her son, Rodrigo of Aragon, inherited the estates of the Gaetani.

Centuries have passed, and a beautiful and unfortunate woman may be forgiven for this confiscation of the appanages of your house. Moreover, it was not long before your family was reinstated in its rights by a bull of Julius II, which is now preserved—a precious jewel—in your family archives. To your house has descended the fame of its founders, but to yourself is due the position which the Gaetani now again enjoy.

The survival of historical tradition in things and men exercises an indescribable charm on every student of civilization. To recognize in the ancient and still nourishing families of modern Rome the descendants of the great personalities of other times, and to enjoy daily intercourse with them, made a profound impression on me. The Colonna, the Orsini, and the Gaetani are my friends, and all afforded me the greatest assistance. These families long ago vanished from the stage of Roman history, but the day came, illustrious Duke, when you were to make a place again for your ancient race in the history of the Imperial City; the day when—the temporal power of the popes having passed away, a power which had endured a thousand years—you carried to King Victor Emmanuel in Florence the declaration of allegiance of the Roman populace. This episode, marking the beginning of a new era for the city, will live, together with your name, in the annals of the Gaetani, and will preserve it forever in the memory of the Romans.

Gregorovius.

Rome, March 9, 1874.

CONTENTS

BOOK THE FIRST—LUCRETIA BORGIA IN ROME
CHAPTER I
Lucretia's Father[3]
CHAPTER II
Lucretia's Mother[10]
CHAPTER III
Lucretia's First Home[15]
CHAPTER IV
Lucretia's Education[20]
CHAPTER V
Nepotism—Giulia Farnese—Lucretia's Betrothals[34]
CHAPTER VI
Her Father Becomes Pope—Giovanni Sforza[44]
CHAPTER VII
Lucretia's First Marriage[53]
CHAPTER VIII
Family Affairs[62]
CHAPTER IX
Lucretia Leaves Rome[71]
CHAPTER X
History and Description Of Pesaro[76]
CHAPTER XI
The Invasion of Italy—The Profligate World[87]
CHAPTER XII
The Divorce and Second Marriage[102]
CHAPTER XIII
A Regent and a Mother[113]
CHAPTER XIV
Social Life of the Borgias[125]
CHAPTER XV
Misfortunes of Catarina Sforza[137]
CHAPTER XVI
Murder of Alfonso of Aragon[145]
CHAPTER XVII
Lucretia at Nepi[152]
CHAPTER XVIII
Cæsar at Pesaro[159]
CHAPTER XIX
Another Marriage Planned for Lucretia[167]
CHAPTER XX
Negotiations with the House of Este[182]
CHAPTER XXI
The Eve of the Wedding[196]
CHAPTER XXII
Arrival and Return of the Bridal Escort[207]
BOOK THE SECOND—LUCRETIA IN FERRARA
CHAPTER I
Lucretia's Journey to Ferrara[229]
CHAPTER II
Formal Entry into Ferrara[239]
CHAPTER III
Fêtes Given in Lucretia's Honor[250]
CHAPTER IV
The Este Dynasty—Description of Ferrara[266]
CHAPTER V
Death of Alexander VI[279]
CHAPTER VI
Events Following the Pope's Death[293]
CHAPTER VII
Court Poets—Giulia Bella and Julius II—The Este Dynasty Endangered[303]
CHAPTER VIII
Escape and Death of Cæsar[317]
CHAPTER IX
Murder of Ercole Strozzi—Death of Giovanni Sforza and of Lucretia's Eldest Son[326]
CHAPTER X
Effects of the War—The Roman Infante[338]
CHAPTER XI
Last Years and Death of Vannozza[345]
CHAPTER XII
Death of Lucretia Borgia—Conclusion[355]
[INDEX]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS