Cesare Borgia

The Parade Sword Of Cesare Borgia

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Cesare Borgia was one of the four famous children born to Pope Alexander VI.

As was dictated by his standing as the second male, he dedicated much of his life to the Church.

In 1493, at the age of twenty-two, he attained the rank of Cardinal~ no doubt due to the fact that his father was the reigning pontiff.

After the tragic death of his brother, the aspirations of the Borgia's were left without a conduit, so just five years later, in 1498, Cesare would take off the purple robes, to marry and cement the standing of his family in European power and politics.

Cesare died on 11th March 1507, four days shy of the Ides of March.

Charging alone onto the field of battle, Cesare would die a death no less epic than his namesake, Julius Caesar.

The engravings on the blade of a sword, once belonging to Cesare, provide us with intricate information.

The date derived from an inscription on the hilt of the sword, in which Borgia is referred to by the title of Cardinal, dates the fabrication of the hilt, and most likely of the blade, to between 1493 and 1498, the years of Cesare’s service to the Roman Church.

Previous examination on the sword, conclude that the sword and the etchings, are dated to the same time period.

Cesare’s sword is a cinqueda, marked by a dramatically curved cross guard, and a broad, double-edged blade.

The hilt is comprised of a circular pommel, grip, and cross, all of which are gold-gilt and elaborately decorated with filigree work and diversely colored enamel.

Like the hilt, the first third of the blade is also gilt in gold and detailed.

This section of the blade is, on both sides, divided through designed etching into four separate scenes.

Of these eight framed compartments, one holds the name CESARE, constructed as a multi-layered monogram.

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Source~Jbayron/ElizabethBemis.

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