Episode 3
Alexander VI fathered eight children before he became Pope and owed his office to vast numbers of bribes he paid out as Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia.
Well known for his histories of Norman Sicily, Venice, the Byzantine Empire and the Mediterranean, John Julius Norwich has now turned his attention to the oldest continuing institution in the world, tracing the papal line down the centuries from St Peter himself - traditionally (though by no means historically) the first pope - to the present day. Of the 280-odd holders of the supreme office, some have unquestionably been saints; others have wallowed in unspeakable iniquity.
Irresistible to women, the father of at least six children before he became pope, Rodrigo Borgia became a byword for deviousness and corruption. Bribes helped him become pope and his notorious son Cesare helped him run the Vatican. As described by John Julius Norwich in today's episode of The Popes the Papacy of 1492 was a very different world.
Producer: David Roper
A Heavy Entertainment production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
Wed 23 Mar 2011 09:45大象传媒 Radio 4 FM- Thu 24 Mar 2011 00:30大象传媒 Radio 4
- Wed 9 Mar 2016 14:45大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 10 Mar 2016 02:45大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra
Listen to more Audio Books
Including My Sister The Serial Killer, Queenie, The Flatshare and more.
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
Sample our books and authors Clip Collection
Interviews, previews and reviews
Subscribe to the Short stories podcast
Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.
Finding Your Story
Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?
大象传媒 Arts: Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.