Rodrigo Borgia
The corrupt Pope who sought to rule the world through an ancient Piece of Eden.
Rodrigo Borgia is one of the most formidable and tragic figures in the Assassin's Creed saga, serving as the primary antagonist of the Renaissance era. A high-ranking member of the Papacy who secretly leads the Templar Order in Italy, he operates under the guise of a pious religious leader while orchestrating political manipulation to enforce his vision of order through control. His decades-long pursuit of the Apple of Eden drives much of the conflict during the 15th century.
- Role
- Grand Master of the Italian Templars
- Affiliation
- Templar Order, Borgia Family
- First Appears
- Assassin's Creed II (Memory Corridor)
- Status
- Deceased
- Notable Title
- Pope Alexander VI
- Key Artifact Sought
- Apple of Eden
Lore & Background
His greatest rivalry was with Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who witnessed the destruction of his family at Rodrigo's hands in Rome. This personal vendetta evolved into a broader ideological war between the Assassins' freedom and the Templars' imposed order. Despite his immense political influence and vast resources, Rodrigo's obsession with controlling the Apple of Eden ultimately led to his downfall, as he underestimated the resilience of the Assassin Brotherhood.
In Their Own Story
The air in the Vatican crypt was thick with incense and the scent of old stone, masking the metallic tang of fear. Rodrigo Borgia stood before the pedestal, his fingers trembling slightly not from age, but from anticipation. The Apple of Eden pulsed with a soft, golden light, humming a frequency that vibrated through his very bones. He whispered to himself, believing he was saving the world from chaos, unaware that in his grasp, he held only the seeds of his own destruction.
Reader's Guide
Rodrigo Borgia is a complex villain defined by his duality as a holy man and a ruthless conspirator. As Grand Master of the Templars, he believes humanity requires strict control to survive, viewing freedom as a path to self-destruction. His arc spans from a rising political figure in Spain to the most powerful man in Christendom, only to be brought low by his own hubris.
He possesses no supernatural powers but relies on his mastery of politics, manipulation, and the strategic use of the Apple of Eden to command armies and sway public opinion. His defining moments include the execution of Ezio's father and brothers, which sparks a decades-long war between him and the Auditore family. Ultimately, his inability to let go of power leads to his death at the hands of Ezio in the Vatican, marking a pivotal victory for the Assassins.
Did You Know?
- Rodrigo Borgia was historically Pope Alexander VI, known for being one of the most controversial popes in history due to his political maneuvering and family favoritism.
- He is the father of Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia, who also played significant roles as Templars within the Assassin's Creed narrative.
- Despite his death in 1492, his legacy continued through his son Cesare, who attempted to carry on the Templar mission after Rodrigo's fall.