Page:The history of medieval Europe.djvu/691

 RISE OF ABSOLUTISM 635 iavelli heard him attacking "your books, priests, and treating you in a way that even dogs would not endure." Savonarola also assumed the role of a prophet and seer of visions, and had much to say about a scourge of God which was coming upon the Italians for their sins. The appear- ance of Charles VIII seemed to the people a fulfillment of this prediction. "This friar," wrote the cynical Machia- velli, "is coloring his lies to suit the times." Savonarola made an alliance with Charles and urged him to proceed to Rome and reform the Papacy. The pope at this time, of whom Machiavelli heard Savona- rola say "everything that can be said of any great villain," was the notorious Alexander VI of the Spanish Alexander family of Borgia. Before becoming pope he had Caesar some reputation as a theologian, but as pope he Borgia devoted himself largely to politics and especially to build- ing up a principality for his illegitimate son, Caesar, and negotiating influential marriages for his daughter, Lucrezia. Caesar hesitated at no violence or crime to accomplish his political designs, and both he and his father were popularly believed to be adepts at poisoning. Their reputation in this particular is probably grossly exaggerated. But Alexander actually negotiated with the infidel Turks against the Chris- tian king, Charles VIII. The importance of Alexander VI and Caesar Borgia, however, is not that they were monsters seldom seen in history, but that they were representatives of the popes and despots of their time. The cardinals knew well enough that Alexander had children when they chose him pope, and his immediate predecessor had had children too. As for Caesar, Machiavelli in his famous book, The Prince, selected him as the model for all who would become despots. Charles did not pause at Rome to reform the Papacy or to depose Alexander VI, but hurried on to Naples. Fer- rante I had died in 1494 ; his successor, Alfonso II, i n and out resigned in favor of Ferrante II, who in his turn of Na P les fled before the French without a struggle. But after Charles had wintered in Naples, the situation in the north of the