Discourses on Livy · Character

Pope Alexander VI

Borgia pope whose corrupt and ambitious rule is discussed.

minor

Also known as Alexander, VI

First appearance: i

Pope Alexander VI's tie to Appius Claudius is one of the pressures that moves Discourses on Livy—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mentioned as the pope who drove out the corrupt lords of Romagna.

In the storyXXIXOpen this moment free

Pope Alexander VI first appears in 0004 i.

With Appius Claudius (rivalry): Appius Claudius, a symbol of Roman patrician tyranny, is contrasted with Pope Alexander VI as a corrupt and ambitious ruler, both exemplifying destructive leadership. With Marcus Menenius (rivalry): Marcus Menenius, a Roman consul known for reconciling plebeians, is contrasted with Pope Alexander VI as a figure of corruption and division. With Caesar (psychological): Machiavelli uses Caesar as a model of ambition and Pope Alexander VI as a master of deceit, linking them as exemplars of ruthless power acquisition.

See Pope Alexander VI in XXIX Book page

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Character Web

51 connections

A slice of how Pope Alexander VI sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Psychological

Character groups

Founders and Tyrants
Threats to Republican Liberty
Modern Military and Papal Power
Military Prudence and Tyranny

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the Claudian censor, driven by the family’s ingrained haughti…

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Relationships

Appius Claudius
rivalry · negative
Appius Claudius, a symbol of Roman patrician tyranny, is contrasted with Pope Alexander… How this plays out →
Marcus Menenius
rivalry · negative
Caesar
psychological · ambivalent
Pope Julius II
rivalry · negative
King Ferrando
rivalry · negative
Tarquin
psychological · negative

Appius Claudius
Appius Claudius, a symbol of Roman patrician tyranny, is contrasted with Pope Alexander VI as a corrupt and ambitious ruler, both exemplifying destructive leadership.
Marcus Menenius
Marcus Menenius, a Roman consul known for reconciling plebeians, is contrasted with Pope Alexander VI as a figure of corruption and division.
Caesar
Machiavelli uses Caesar as a model of ambition and Pope Alexander VI as a master of deceit, linking them as exemplars of ruthless power acquisition.
Pope Julius II
Pope Alexander VI (Borgia) and Pope Julius II (della Rovere) were bitter rivals, with Julius succeeding Alexander and reversing his policies.
King Ferrando
King Ferrando of Naples opposed Pope Alexander VI's territorial ambitions, leading to political and military conflict in Italy.
Tarquin
Machiavelli compares Pope Alexander VI's deceit and cruelty to that of Tarquin the Proud, the last Roman king, as archetypes of tyranny.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Pope Alexander VI in i

In the story

Pope Alexander VI appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XXIX

Chapter companion notes

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See Pope Alexander VI in i

See Pope Alexander VI in XXIX