Giovanni Borgia (Infans Romanus) facts for kids

Giovanni Borgia (born March 1498 – died 1548) was a mysterious figure from the powerful House of Borgia. He was known as the Infans Romanus which means "the Roman child." His parents were kept a secret, leading to many guesses about who his father and mother really were.

Some people thought his mother was Lucrezia Borgia and his father was a man named Perotto Calderon. Others believed his father was either Cesare Borgia or even Pope Alexander VI. A writer named Rafael Sabatini, who wrote about Cesare Borgia, suggested that Pope Alexander VI was Giovanni's father, with a Roman woman whose name is not known.

Who Was Giovanni's Father?

Pope Alexander VI issued two special official documents, called papal bulls, on September 1, 1501. Each document named a different father for Giovanni Borgia. The second document seemed to add to or correct the first one.

The first document stated that Giovanni Borgia was three years old and the son of Cesare Borgia. It mentioned that Cesare was not married at the time Giovanni was born.

The second document changed this, saying Giovanni was actually the son of Pope Alexander VI himself. The Pope did not want Giovanni to have problems with his inheritance because of how he was born. Church rules at the time made it difficult for a Pope to openly say he had children.

Life and Titles

Giovanni Borgia often appeared with Lucrezia Borgia, who introduced him as her younger half-brother. Pope Alexander VI used his power to take land from certain families, the Savelli and Colonna families. He then made Giovanni Borgia the heir to the duchy of Nepi. This area was very important to the Borgia family. Giovanni was also named duke of Palestrina on September 17, 1501.

Giovanni Borgia was cared for by different guardians throughout his life. He eventually lived with Lucrezia Borgia in Ferrara. He also held other important titles, like the signory of Vetralla.

Later in his life, Giovanni worked in minor roles for the Pope's court, known as the Papal Curia, and at the French royal court. He had three daughters.

Giovanni Borgia in Stories

Giovanni Borgia's mysterious life has inspired several stories and books.

Books and Novels

The author Hella Haasse wrote a historical novel called The Scarlet City in 1952, which is based on Giovanni Borgia's life.

Video Games and TV Shows

In the Assassin's Creed video game series, Giovanni Borgia is shown as the son of Lucrezia Borgia and a secret member of the Assassins named Perotto Calderon. In this story, Giovanni is born very weak but is healed by a powerful artifact. He is raised by the Borgia family, with Cesare Borgia pretending to be his father and Lucrezia acting as his aunt. Giovanni later runs away to join the Assassin Order himself. He becomes an agent for the Assassins and is good at finding powerful artifacts. For example, in 1520, he travels to Mexico and finds a crystal skull. In 1527, he helps a person named Paracelsus create a philosopher's stone.

In The Borgias TV series from 2011, Giovanni is shown as the son of Lucrezia and a young groom named Paolo. In the show, Paolo is later murdered by Lucrezia's brother, Juan.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Borgia (1498-1548) para niños