[15] Our information is in many respects deficient regarding the numerous and complicated events occurring at Rome between the poisoning of Alexander and the final departure of his son Cesare, and authorities are frequently irreconcileable. We are indebted to Sanuto's Diary for many unedited particulars, especially of the papal elections, but the most distinct account of these transactions, and on the whole trustworthy, which we have met with, is given by Masse.
[*16] Cf. the latter, in which an account of the interview between Cesare and Guidobaldo is given, Ugolini, op. cit., vol. II., p. 523. It does not bear out Giustiniani's account (q.v. ii., 326) of what Guidobaldo said to him, and is probably mere rhetoric.
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"Omnia vincebas, sperabas omnia Cæsar; Omnia deficiunt, incipis esse nihil." |
[18] Considering that Borgia was probably dead half a century before this painting was commissioned, little reliance can be placed upon the likeness. *This is the account alluded to in [note *1, page 29].
[19] See [vol. I., p. 371].
[*20] Cf. Madiai, op. cit., in Arch. cit., vol. cit., p. 451-2.
[*21] Cf. Madiai, op. cit., in Arch. cit., vol. cit., p. 455. This Diary says that the Duke returned at the end of February, 1506.
[*22] Cf. Madiai, op. cit., Arch. cit., vol. cit., p. 456-7.
[23] These, and many other particulars interwoven with our narrative, are taken from the anonymous Diary, Vat. Urb. MSS. No. 904. During the preceding year of scarcity, wheat had varied in different parts of Italy from four to twelve golden ducats, each of forty bolognini, a price scarcely credible. Riposati quotes a document proving that in 1450 a florin contained forty bolognini of Gubbio, of which twenty-nine and a half were coined from an ounce of silver, with 9/48 of alloy. Although it seems right to insert the above tariff, most of the prices appear enormous, beyond all belief. See the [Preface] to this work, for the comparative value of money. *This diary is the one quoted under Madiai.