Outline Dec 22 2009

We’re from the Harry Lime school. If you’ve seen the film classic “The Third Man,” you will remember that character’s admonition: “In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance.
“In Switzerland they had brotherly love. They had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.”


Scene 1: Looking for Borgia in Pontasieve

June 22, 1502
Machiavelli and Soderini (Bishop of Volterra) arrive at Pontasieve after a day of full tilt riding. They are informed by a fleeing priest that the man they wish to speak to, Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI and leader of the papal army, has suddenly and dramatically deviated from his advance into Florentine territory and seized the strategically vital city of Urbino, without losing a single man. No one knows for certain what has happened; some say that the Duke of Urbino has fled, others that he has been taken prisoner, others still that he has been killed. On one thing were all agreed, that Borgia has gained possession of the city by treachery. A rider arrives with news from Urbino: A week earlier, Borgia had appealed to the city's ruler Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, for help in conquering Camerino, then he promptly invaded Urbino with 2000 Spanish mercenaries after the hapless Guidobaldo faithfully sent along his artillery to besiege Camerino. "As we speak, Urbino's treasures are being loaded on mules for transit to Borgia's palace in the city of Cesena"

Machiavelli writes a dispatch to the Signoria in Florence: "Your lordships should take note of this stratagem, as well as his combination of remarkable speed and extraordinary good fortune. He installs himself in someone else's house before anyone has noticed it. The Duke of Urbino's death was reported before he was even known to be ill."


Scene 2: Midnight Meeting in Urbino
Chorus: "The Borgias" (a backstory)
Two Days Later: June 24 1502
Riding furiously, Machiavelli & Soderini reached Urbino, shortly after dark. Borgia had already heard that they were on their way and ordered that they be brought immediately to see him, giving the emissaries no time to prepare themselves, or even change from their worn sweat-soiled riding clothes. In the darkness they are hustled through the courtyard up the stairs in the ducal palace, where Borgia has now taken residence. The doors behind them are bolted with armed sentries posted outside.

By the light of a single flickering candle which showed only dimly the tall figure clad in black from head to foot without ornament or jewel, the still white features as regular as a Greek statue.

Borgia: I am not pleased with your government. How can I trust you, how can I be sure you will not attack me? You must change your government (bring back Piero de' Medici) and pledge to support me with money, with troops - for I have no intention of letting this state of affairs to continue. If you do not want me as a friend, you will find me your enemy! There can be no middle way (la via di mezzo)

His two commanders Paolo & Giulio Orsini, join in from the shadows, intimating that Florence's ally, Louis XII was behind Borgia's recent predation on Florentine territory. Florence is broke, without an army, without a friend.

(Strathern suggests that Machiavelli as a way of gaining time, offers Borgia the services of Leonardo (military engineer) who was resident in Florence.

Borgia gives Florence 4 days to respond to his ultimatum.


Scene 3: Signoria
June 28 1502
Chorus: "The structure of the Republic"
Machiavelli addresses the Signoria: The lord is truly splendid and magnificent, and in war there is no enterprise so great that it does not seem small to him, the the pursuit of glory and territory he is unceasing and knows neither danger or fatigue. He arrives at a place before anyone is aware that he has left the place he was before. He is beloved by his soldiers and he has in his service the best men in Italy. All this makes him victorious and formidable, particularly in the light of his constant good fortune.
(But I suspect that all is not as it seems)

Outside we hear the arrival of the French army, accompanied by shouts of "Viva la France". The French have honored the treaty with their ally Florence. It is clear that Borgia was bluffing. The Signoria agrees to once more adopt "the middle way" with Borgia and stall for time.

This would be a good place to experience Machiavelli in a relaxed situation, at home with his family or partying with friends. He is known to be a witty, affable, and intelligent man. And in addition, popular with the ladies.

Scene 4: The conspirators
Chorus: "Italy, the City States, the Barbarians"
October 1, 1502
The devious ousting of Guidobaldo da Montefeltro had alerted Vitellozzo Vitelli, Livoroto da Fermo and the Orsini brothers to the jeopardy of their own situations. As Gianpaolo Baglioni, ruler of Perugia put it, they risked "being one-by-one swallowed by the dragon"
These men are truly a rogues gallery of the most vicious men of their age: Livoroto da Fermo, a classic small-town despot of the unruly Romagna-Marches region, having invited his relatives and friends to a large banquet, he had them all murdered, including his kindly uncle, the Lord of Fermo, who had adopted him when he was orphaned as a child and had brought him up as his son.(Strathern 146)
Gianpaolo Baglioni, described by M as "a man of vicious heart and great cowardice" was notorious throughout Italy for "having committed incest with his sister and killing his cousins and nephews in order to become ruler of Perugia" (Strathern 147) instigator of the ruthless massacre of 130 members of the rival Oddi family in Perugia (King 54)
Vitellozzo, carried in on a stretcher, afflicted with syphilis, moaning in pain, notorious for many massacres.

The proceedings at La Magione were opened by Baglioni who dramatically revealed that he had intercepted a secret communication between Alexander VI and Borgia. This ordered Borgia to summon Giulio and Paola Orsini, Liverotto da Fermo and Baglioni himself to a meeting in Imola, where Borgia was to lure them into a trap and seize them. Several of those present leaped at once to their feet, violently condemning Borgia's treachery; Vitellozzo and Bentivoglio even went so far to swear that they would murder him at the first opportunity.

All those present had their own separate agendas, as well as not fully trusting their fellow conspirators; at the same time they were all secretly afraid of confronting a man of Borgia's evident power and vindictiveness.

The conspirators send word to Florence, inviting them to join in the final defeat of Borgia. The response of Soderini and the Signoria was decisive. In M's words:
The Florentines, because of their hatred of Vitelli and the Orsini for various reasons, not merely did not join them but sent Niccolo Machiavelli, their secretary, to offer the Duke asylum and aid against these new enemies of his. (S151)

They draw up plans to rid Italy of Borgia, including one to kill him at Senigallia. Livororoto & Vitellozzo, pretending to show their allegiance to Borgia, will capture the city. The castellan of the citadel however, would surrender to no one except Borgia, luring him into a trap where he would be dispatched by a crossbowman.(King 55)


Scene 5: Residency with Borgia
October 7 1502
Borgia greets Machiavelli like a true friend and appearing to take him into his confidence. To M's surprise and admiration, B seemed not in the least disturbed by the threatening situation. he refers to the conspirators as a "collection of no-hopers and bankrupts." As long as he had the backing of his father the pope and his friend Louis XII, "the ground was on fire under their feet, and they would never have enough water to put it out." (Strathern 152) Borgia shows Louis XII's letter of support with a signature that M recognizes as authentic.

Word of the La Magione meeting has inspired revolts in Urbino, San Leo taken by strategem. In Fossombrone the revolt was crushed by Spanish troops under the command of Don Michele and the citizens massacred. (apparently witnessed by Leonardo because of drawings in the notebooks). (Strathern 150) But only cities in the Marches have revolted. The cities of Romagna have no desire to see the return of petty tyrants who had ruled them so mercilessly. Borgia's original government with Lorqua had been almost as ruthless as the old governments. But Lorqua had been replaced by the respected and humane Sansavino. Borgia was gaining the respect of the local population. (S 155)

B appreciated M's intellect and appears to have warmed to M's roguish element. M developed a growing admiration for B's uncanny competence in handling the ever-increasing difficulties of his situation and for his ability to make rapid shrewd decisions. The man who sought to philosophize about politics was beginning to see in this unscrupulous man of action a solution to the problems that faced any political leader. Admired his sheer resilience of character. (S154)

B dispatched Don Michele into the Romagna hinterland to recruit a thousand local men as reinforcements. Large amounts of money from the pope equipped these and hired more mercenaries. the promised French forces were on their way from Milan.

M saw B as a new kind of soldier: warrior ruler used guile rather than force, who achieved with intellect and unscrupulousness.
M's education had instilled a high regard for ancient Rome, when Italy was united under a forceful leader - here is Cesare, whose motto "Cesare or nothing" harkened back to Rome's greatness.



Machiavelli's wife Marietta is unhappy with his long absence: (S 166)

October 23 1502:
Conspirators in disarray. Borgia rehires the Orsini brothers, Vitellozzo. They think everything is hunky dory.
November 1502:
Leonardo and Machiavelli hanging out at Borgia's court in Imola. Machiavelli developing a scientific method in his examination of politics. (S180)


Scene 6: The execution of Lorqua
December 25 1502
Machiavelli dispatch to the Signoria:
This morning Lorqua was discovered with his body cut in two on the piazza where he still lies, and all the people have been able to see him. No one is sure of the reason of his death, except that it so pleased the Duke, who by doing so demonstrated that he can make and unmake men as he wishes, according to their deserts."

years later, M would state the reason for Lorqua's demise:
Because Borgia knew the severities of his past rule had made many people hate him, he was determined to purge these people's minds and win them over entirely to his cause by showing that any cruelty which had taken place was none of his doing, but had come about entirely through the brutal nature of the man he left in command. (S188)

"The ferocity of this spectacle left the people at the time to be gratified and awe-struck"

See Machiavelli's chapter in The Prince" about "How to deal with friends you no longer need"
(it also seems that Lorqua may had been approached by the conspirators ...)

On December 26, 1502 Machiavelli's dispatch read:
(Borgia is) a highly secretive man, and I am convinced that no one but he alone knows what his next move will be. His chief secretaries have told me that he only reveals something when he orders something to be done. He does not do anything unless he is forced to do it, and only then does he act, never otherwise. This is why I cannot send your lordships no further information.(S189)

Around this time the former conspirators Vitellozzo and the Orsini brothers sent an offer to Borgia from where they were encamped to the south in Urbino territory. According to Machiavelli's description:
Loretto da Fermo was sent to deliver the offer, which suggested to Borgia that if he wished to launch a campaign into Tuscany, they were ready to join him. If not they would besiege Sinigallia. The Duke replied that he would not begin a war in Tuscany because the Florentines were his friends, but would be very pleased if they marched against Sinigallia.

Later on December 26, Borgia moved out of Cesena southeast towards Sinigallia. He was accompanied only by his person corps of men-at-arms. The main body of his force had been ordered to fan out into the countryside and proceed in small detachments. It would appear to any passing observer that Borgia remained in command only of a depleted force.

On December 28, Machiavelli reported:
The Duke received a dispatch that the town of Sinigallia had surrendered to Liverotto da Fermo's forces, but the castle itself had not consented to surrender, because the castellan was bent upon surrendering only to the Duke himself in person. In consequence the Duke was urged to come to the city as soon as possible. (S190)

On December 30, B informed his commanders, Vitellozzo, Orsini brothers, and da Fermo, that he would join them the next day. All troops except for Livoretto's garrison were to be withdrawn from the town, leaving room for Borgia's forces to be garrisoned there. All the gates were to be locked, except the southern gate through which Borgia would lead his troops. Vitellozzo and the Orsini brothers were to move their troops down the coast in preparation for a march south to take Ancona.

Scene 7: The incident in Senigallia
December 31, 1502
at dawn, B and army marched toward Sinigallia. He was joined by the rest of his forces, 15,000 men. A mile outside Sinigallia, B was met by Vitellozzo and the Orsinis. He greeted all warmly and inquired why Livoretto da Fermo was not with them. On being told that he had remained behind with his troops in the Borgo (the houses outside the city walls), Borgia motioned to Don Michele to ride off and collect him. As M said: "Borgia winked knowingly at Don Michele"
When Livoretto joins them, B and his five reconciled commanders started towards Sinigallia, all relieved at how easily their reconciliation had been affected. It is just after midday. (S194)
Borgia's advance guard of heavy cavalry rode across the wooden bridge across the moat, and then split into two columns that wheeled around to face each other, leaving a guarded passageway leading directly to the city gate, through which the main body of Borgia's force could pass. This maneuver also sealed off Liverotto's men in the Borgo, and severed any means of communication between them and the main body of Vitellozzo's troops camped along the shore.
The Swiss and Gascon infantry passed over the bridge followed by Borgia and the 5 commanders. As they passed into the inner walled town, the gates swung closed. They rode towards a palazzo which Don Michele had already selected for Borgia as his headquarters. The commanders began to have their suspicions and attempted to take their leave. Borgia bade them dismount, giving them his word that he wished to confer with them on some urgent business. Having no alternative, B lead them up the stairs into a salon. According to a contemporary account:
Having remained a while with them. Borgia said that for the necessities of nature, he must withdraw. Then guards came in and bound the commanders hands behind their backs and took them prisoner. Borgia ordered Livoretto's escort to withdraw and join their main force. As they passed through the narrow streets they were surrounded and cut down by Borgia's men. Borgia then ordered his troops to ride out and disarm the rest of da Fermo's troops who were heavily outnumbered.
Then the Borgo was sacked.
Machiavelli rode up amid the mayhem and Borgia spotted him and told him about taking the commanders prisoner:
This is what I wanted to tell Bishop Soderini when you both came to see me at Urbino, but I never trusted the secret to anyone.
M writes a dispatch:
The town is still being sacked and it is now an hour before sunset. I am extremely worried. I am not even sure that I will be able to find a messenger to relay this message to you. I will write you at length later. As far as Vitellozzo, Livoretto and the three Orsini, my opinion is that these prisoners will not be alive tomorrow morning.(S198)
Vitellozzo & Livoretto "were tied back to back on a bench:
They both behaved in a manner wholly unworthy of their past exploits. Vitellozzo begged that he be allowed to see the Pope, so that His Holiness could give him plenary indulgence for his sins. Livoretto wept, blaming Vitellozzo for all the injuries done to the Duke.

The garrotting was carried out by Don Michele and was said to have taken place in front of Borgia himself.
After the arrest of Cardinal Orsini, the 3 Orsini prisoners were garrotted.
Machiavelli wrote to Florence:
The Duke's actions are accompanied by a unique good fortune, as well as a superhuman daring and confidence that he can achieve whatever he wants. "
Louis XII said: An act worthy of a Roman hero. Many in Italy, were longing for a powerful figure to lead their country in a return to its former glories.

Scene 8: "What has happened so far is nothing compared with what is planned for the future"


Scene 1: Borgia's Fall, Julian's Rise
Scene 2: The River
Scene 3: The Militia
Scene 4: End of the Republic

Scene 5: Strappado
February 18, 1513. Machiavelli's name has been found among a list of conspirators and he is being interrogated. When he denies involvement, he is tortured by the strappado.

(Description of strappado, with picture, and M's views of torture in Grazia pg 36)

Scene 6: Awaiting Execution
Feb 23. Daybreak. Mach, in his cell, hears boots in the hallway, a cell door opened and a prisoner led out. The prisoner is Agostino Capponi and as he is led away, we hear the Black Brothers singing psalms for the condemned. An ax falls. More boots. Another prisoner, Pietropaolo Boscoli is led out, accompanied by the Black Brothers, another ax falls. (Historically, a little less dramatic, read Ross King pg 135). Some time passes, no more boots in the hall. He then writes a poem and dedicates it to Giuliano de' Medici:

I have, Giuliano, a pair of shackles on my legs
with six hoists of the rope on my shoulders:
my other miseries I do not want to talk about,
as this is the way poets are to be treated!

These walls exude lice,
sick with the heaves no less, that are as big as butterflies
nor was there ever such a stench in the massacre of Roncesvalles.

or among those groves in Sardinia,
as there is in my dainty inn;
with a noise that sounds just as if at th earth
Jove was striking lightning , and all Mount Etna too.

One man is being chained and the other shacked
with a clatter of keyholes, keys, and latches;
another shouts that he is pulled too high off the ground!

What disturbed me most
was that close to dawn while sleeping
I heard chanting: "Per voi s'ora"

Now they can go their own way;
if only your mercy may turn towards me,
good father, and these criminal bonds be untied

(I have assurances the Italian (Grazia pg 392) is beautiful)

Scene 7: Release Amid Fireworks
11 March 1513. Giovanni de' Medici is crowned Pope Leo X. Amidst celebration, Machiavelli is released from prison and exiled to his house in the country. ...the news of the election of a Medici pope ... causes wild excitement and a four-day celebration during which little could be heard above the noise of firecrackers, bells and cannons"

Scene 8: Communing with the Ancients
Life in the country - his famous letter about his rural life - donning his robes and communing with the ancients in his library. At other times, he is drinking and gambling with woodcutters at the local tavern.

"I enter the ancient courts of the men of antiquity where affectionately received by them I graze on that food that alone is mine and for which I was born, where I am not too timid to speak with them and ask them about the reasons for their actions; and they in their courtesy answer me; and for four hours of time I feel no weariness, I forget every trouble, I do not fear poverty, death does not dismay me; I transfer all of myself into them ..."

He sits at a long table and as the lighting changes, appears to have conversation with unseen guests.

Scene 9: Return to Power

Scene 10: Deathbed
beheld in his sleep a crowd of famished and miserable people. On asking who they were he was told: the blessed souls in paradise. Hardly had they vanished from his view than he saw instead a throng of grave-visaged men discussing political matters, and distinguished among them many illustrious philosophers of Greece and Rome. These were the souls condemned to eternal punishment. Being asked in which company he preferred to remain he instantly replied: I would rather be in Hell and converse with great minds upon State questions, than live in Paradise with the rabble I saw just now ... For in the latter he would meet no one but wretched monks and apostles, whereas in Hell he would be in the company of cardinals, popes, princes and kings.
(Strathern pg 409-410; Villari, Machiavelli vol 2 535-537)

Scene 11: Shakespearean Epilogue