Alexander VI (pope)
1431 – 1503 Spanish Pope (1492-1503)
The Borgia pope, symbol of Renaissance corruption, who divided the New World between Spain and Portugal.
- Religion
- Catholic; Bishop of Rome
- Affiliations
- The papacy; House of Borgia
Alexander VI, born Rodrigo Borgia, is the most notorious of the Renaissance popes, remembered for bribery, luxury, and open favoritism toward his children Cesare and Lucrezia. In 1493, after Columbus reached the Americas, he drew a line dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal. He crushed the reforming friar Savonarola, who had denounced papal corruption and was burned in Florence in 1498.
In the timeline
- 1492 Alexander VI succeeds Innocent VIII as pope central figure
- 1493 Inter Caetera divides the New World mentioned
- 1493 Alexander VI absolves Pico of all heresy charges central figure
- 1503 Pope Alexander VI dies of fever central figure