The Tree of Europe · Person

Alexander VI

Pope Alexander VI, a member of the Borgia family and one of the most controversial figures of the Renaissance papacy. His pontificate was deeply intertwined with Italian politics and the advancement of his children.

c. 1431 – 1503PopeBorgia · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Contemporary portraitPortrait of Pope Alexander VI BorgiaAttributed to Pedro Berruguete · c. 1492–1503Vatican Museums, Vatican CityPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

Biography

Life of Alexander VI

A pope’s nephew

He was born in Xàtiva around 1431. His uncle Alfonso de Borja, Pope Callixtus III, appointed him cardinal in 1456 and vice-chancellor of the Church, an office he held for thirty-five years that brought him wealth and influence in the curia.

References: Real Academia de la Historia · Diccionario Biográfico español · Treccani · Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani · Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

Alexander VI

Elected pope in 1492 at a conclave suspected of vote-buying, he made the Papal States the power base of his children Cesare, Giovanni, Lucrezia and Gioffre, born to Vannozza Cattanei. His bulls of 1493 drew the division of overseas navigation between Castile and Portugal that the Treaty of Tordesillas refined.

References: Real Academia de la Historia · Diccionario Biográfico español · Treccani · Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani · Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

Italy at war

His pontificate coincided with Charles VIII of France’s invasion (1494) and the Italian Wars. He excommunicated Savonarola, who was executed in 1498. He supported Cesare’s conquest of Romagna. He died in Rome in 1503, and the Borgias’ fall followed shortly afterwards.

References: Real Academia de la Historia · Diccionario Biográfico español · Treccani · Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani · Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1431 Approximate

Death: 18 August 1503 Documented

Role: Pope

Other recorded names: Rodrigo Lanzol y de Borja · Rodrigo de Borja · Rodrigo Borgia · Rodrigo Lanzol y de Borja (Alejandro VI)

Dynasty: Borgia · ES

Territories: Papal States (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Pope · Papal States · Pontificate Documented1492–1503Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Jofré de Borja y Escrivà · ESPending reviewIsabel de Borja · ESPending review

Children

Cesare BorgiaGiovanni BorgiaLucrezia BorgiaGioffre Borgia · ES

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

5 recorded claims · 3 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (1/2 with a precise source)

BirthApproximate
1431
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
DeathDocumented
18 August 1503
The authority record gives the death as 1503-08-18.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Alexander VI., Papst · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (0/2 with a precise source)

FatherPending review
Jofré de Borja y Escrivà
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
MotherPending review
Isabel de Borja
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (1/1 with a precise source)

GovernmentDocumented
Pope · Papal States · 1492–1503
The authority record dates this office to 1492–1503.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Alexander VI., Papst · Biographical data: “1492–1503 Pope”
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Biographical and contextual references (5)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.