Free Republic

Discover the incredible journey of Pope Julius II, famously known as The Warrior Pope, who revolutionized the papacy from 1503 to 1513. Born Giuliano della Rovere, his path to power uniquely intertwined ambition, charm, and ruthlessness, influenced by his uncle, Pope Sixtus IV. Learn about his rise from an impoverished noble to the Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia, his exile in France, and his strategic return to Rome, ultimately becoming Pope Julius II. Witness how he combined military prowess with artistic patronage, commissioning Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling. This video delves into his military campaigns, political maneuvers, and artistic legacy...

Malcolm Moore Thursday, January 25, 2007 Five hundred years after he was killed in battle, the remains of Cesare Borgia, the notorious inspiration for Machiavelli's The Prince, are to be moved into a Spanish church. Banned from holy ground by bishops horrified by his sins, the remains of the ruthless military leader lie, at present, under a pavement in Viana in northern Spain. Borgia was the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI, and was made a cardinal by his father at the age of 17. He was an accomplished murderer by 25 and had conquered a good part of Italy...