Cesare Borgia

Timeline

1. 1493–1498Rome · Papal StatesWith the support of his father Alexander VI, Cesare obtained the rank of cardinal, taking part in papal diplomacy and family power maneuvering, laying the groundwork for his later abandonment of the office for a military career.
2. 1499–1500Romagna · RomagnaIn 1499 Cesare resigned his cardinalate, was invested by King Louis XII of France as Duke of Valentino, and led French forces to capture Imola, Forlì, Rimini and other cities, rapidly consolidating the states of Romagna.
3. 1500–1503Papal States · Papal StatesIn 1500 several prominent figures in the papal court died under mysterious circumstances, and Cesare's power reached its peak; he continued campaigning north and south, contending with Spanish and Venetian forces on the Italian peninsula, until his power collapsed abruptly after his father's death in 1503.