Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

While Lucrezia's marriage is forced to end, the Duke of Gandia plays soldier, infuriating Cesare. Story of Italian Renaissance's most infamous family, read by Robert Glenister.

Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance, Sarah Dunant, takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias.

The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual, was crammed into that period.

Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children.

Read by Robert Glenister
Written by Sarah Dunant
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

15 minutes

Last on

Fri 18 Aug 2017 02:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Reader Robert Glenister
Producer Clive Brill
Author Sarah Dunant
Abridger Eileen Horne

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Jun 2013 22:45
  • Thu 17 Aug 2017 14:00
  • Fri 18 Aug 2017 02:00

Books

Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.

How many of these 100 Novels have you read?

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

Finding Your Story

Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?

Short stories to keep

The fiction podcast featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers