This article is about the brother of Cesare Borgia. You may be looking for Cesare's cousin, or the Assassin Giovanni Borgia. |
Juan Borgia, also known as Giovanni Borgia, (1474 – 1497) was the second Duke of Gandia, and the first son of Rodrigo Borgia – the Grand Master of the Templar Order – and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei.
Juan was also the older brother of Cesare, Lucrezia and Jofré Borgia.
Biography
Since Juan was his favorite son, Rodrigo made him the Captain-General of the Papal armies as soon after he became Pope in 1492. At around this time, Juan's younger brother, Cesare, became a Cardinal.
In 1496, Juan fought Bartolomeo d'Alviano at the Siege of Bracciano, wherein Bartolomeo sent a donkey out of the city, with a sign around its neck reading "Let me go for I am an ambassador to the Duke of Gandia." Bartolomeo had also tied a letter for Juan to the donkey's tail, which contained further insults.
By 1497, Cesare had realized that his life as a Cardinal would lead nowhere, and that if he wanted to gain power, he would need to get rid of his brother. Upon enticing Juan into a night spent in the company of courtesans, Cesare introduced him to Fiora Cavazza, a close ally of his. That night on June 14, Cesare watched as Fiora engaged Juan in a moment of passion, before she slit his throat with a dagger. Juan's body was later thrown into the Tiber.
Subsequent to the discovery of Juan's death, Cesare became Captain-General in his stead, and was never identified as his brother's killer.
Trivia
- Juan bore the same name and attire of his older cousin, even sharing the same voice actor.
- Juan, despite being Captain-General, wore a cardinal's attire; whereas Cesare, who was a cardinal, was never seen in the uniform.