GORDON (Alexander). The life of Pope Alexander VI and his so - Lot 211

GORDON (Alexander). The life of Pope Alexander VI and his son Cesar Borgia. Contenant les guerres de Charles VIII & Louis XII rois de France, & les principales negociations & revolutions arrivées en Italie depuis l'année 1492 jusqu'en 1506. Avec les pièces originales qui ont rapport à l'ouvrage. Amsterdam, Mortier, 1732. 2 vol. in-12, red morocco, ornate ribbed spines, triple gilt fillet on covers, gilt fillet on edges, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding). First edition of the French translation, illustrated with 2 portraits of Caesar Borgia and Alexander VI, as well as an attractive title vignette, repeated in both volumes. Caesar Borgia, also known as "le Valentinois", was an Italian Renaissance prince (1475 - 1507) who succeeded his brother Giovanni Borgia as Duke of Gandia. He was peer of France, knight of the Order of Saint Michael, prince of Romagna, Andria and Venafro, duke of Gandia and Valentinois, count of Diois, lord of Issoudun, Piombino, Camerino and Urbino, gonfaloniere and captain general of the Church, condottiere and cardinal. He owes much of his fame to Machiavelli, who quotes him frequently in The Prince. However, only the support of the papacy and royalty enabled him to have such a dazzling career. A fine copy.