# Filippo Maria Visconti — Bellarion the Fortunate character guide > Filippo Maria Visconti in Bellarion the Fortunate by Rafael Sabatini. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Lord Filippo Maria, Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke Filippo Maria, the Count of Pavia **First appearance:** 0038-iv-the-count-of-pavia ## Snapshot Milan's calculating Duke, who wears courtesy like armor and treats every alliance as a ledger of debts to be called in at his convenience. ## Who they are Filippo Maria Visconti rules Milan through craft rather than charisma, and his court is a chessboard where favors are gambits and loyalty is always contingent. He greets the unknown Bellarion with the same gracious composure he grants his most trusted captains, revealing nothing of the calculations running beneath. His willingness to invite foreign armies into his own city shows how far he will go to check a rival, making him the quiet engine of the novel's central political storms. ## Relationships ### [Bellarion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/bellarion) _rivalry_ Bellarion and Filippo Maria Visconti are antagonists, with Bellarion opposing Visconti's ambitions and schemes. ### [Facino Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/facino_cane) _rivalry_ Facino Cane and Filippo Maria Visconti are bitter rivals and enemies, constantly vying for power. ### [Facino Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/facino_cane) _rivalry_ Facino Cane and Filippo Maria Visconti are bitter rivals and enemies, constantly vying for power. ### [Bellarion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/bellarion) _rivalry_ Bellarion and Filippo Maria Visconti are antagonists, with Bellarion opposing Visconti's ambitions and schemes. ### [Bellarion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/bellarion) _rivalry_ Bellarion and Filippo Maria Visconti are antagonists, with Bellarion opposing Visconti's ambitions and schemes. ### [Facino Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/facino_cane) _rivalry_ Facino Cane and Filippo Maria Visconti are bitter rivals and enemies, constantly vying for power. ## In the story ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/book-i) Duke of Milan; the antagonist whose court Bellarion is sent to infiltrate. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/book-ii) Mentioned as a looming power figure whose ambitions shape the political landscape that Bellarion must navigate. ### [I: The Miracle of the Dogs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/i-the-miracle-of-the-dogs) Referred to as the Duke of Milan; orders the hunting of Bellarion with dogs; becomes enraged and fearful when the dogs refuse to attack. ### [II: Facino Cane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ii-facino-cane) The Duke of Milan is present during the interrogation, but Facino Cane dismisses him with contempt. ### [IV: The Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iv-the-champion) Mentioned as the Duke who looks down from the Old Broletto window, his malevolence noted by Facino. ### [V: The Commune of Milan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/v-the-commune-of-milan) The Duke of Milan, angry and suspicious of Facino, but ultimately weak and indecisive. ### [VI: The Fruitless Wooing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vi-the-fruitless-wooing) The Duke chooses to be pleasant to Bellarion and jests about the Countess's attentions toward him. ### [Manoeuvres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vii-manoeuvres) Duke of Milan; encountered on a nocturnal hunt with Squarcia; dismissively bids Facino farewell, revealing his disdain. ### [IX: De Mortuis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ix-de-mortuis) Mentioned as the Duke of Milan; Gian Maria Visconti is the current Duke, but Filippo Maria is referenced in the context of the Visconti dynasty. ### [XI: The Siege of Alessandria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xi-the-siege-of-alessandria) Appeals for help against Vignate; provides troops and artillery to Facino. ### [XII: Visconti Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xii-visconti-faith) Referenced as the Duke Gian Maria, whose treacherous actions have led to the current crisis. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/book-iii) The cunning Duke of Milan, who tests Bellarion's loyalty and seeks to use him for his own ends. ### [III: Facino's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iii-facino-s-return) The Duke's brother, Count of Pavia, whose ambition is quashed by Facino's sack of Pavia; he submits apathetically. ### [IV: The Count of Pavia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iv-the-count-of-pavia) The Count of Pavia, portrayed as obese and lecherous, develops a growing infatuation with the Countess Beatrice and plays chess with Bellarion. ### [V: Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/v-justice) Hosts Bellarion in Pavia; reluctant to let him leave. ### [VI: The Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vi-the-inheritance) The young Prince of Pavia, tempted by Bellarion's proposal to marry Beatrice for her wealth and army to secure the Duchy of Milan. ### [VII: Prince of Valsassina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vii-prince-of-valsassina) Marries the Countess of Biandrate, enters Milan as Duke, rewards Bellarion, and is persuaded by Bellarion to pursue further conquests. ### [IX: Vercelli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ix-vercelli) Mentioned as recipient of a letter criticizing captains of the day. ### [XII: Carmagnola's Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xii-carmagnola-s-duty) Mentioned as the duke who ordered Carmagnola to assist in reducing Vercelli. ### [XIII: The Occupation of Casale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xiii-the-occupation-of-casale) Referenced as the Duke of Milan who resolved to end Theodore's regency and install Gian Giacomo. ### [XIV: The Vanquished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xiv-the-vanquished) Addressed in Carmagnola's letter reporting the reoccupation of Vercelli. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/filippo_maria_visconti - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters