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The Life of Alexander VI Trivia Quiz

Alexander VI is one of the most infamous popes in history. See how much you know about this man!

A multiple-choice quiz by kmarti14. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
kmarti14

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
362,553

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
208

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was Alexander VI called before he became pope? Hint

Cristoforo Colombo

Alexander Sforza

Rodrigo Borgia

Giuliano della Rovere

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Question 2 of 10

2. Alexander wasn't the first pope from his family. What was the name of his uncle who was pope 35 years before Alexander? Hint

Alexander V

Callixtus III

John Paul I

Benedict XVI

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Question 3 of 10

3. Things were different in the 1400's - priests, cardinals and even popes had mistresses and children! Who was Alexander's mistress who became the mother of the infamous Cesare Borgia? Hint

Mona Lisa

Raphaela Orsini

Lucrezia Farnese

Vannozza dei Cattani

4. Alexander's children were often used to help further their father's goals, either as religious leaders, military generals or through marriages. How many husbands did his daughter Lucrezia have? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. Alexander issued the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. What important issue did this decide? Hint

It allowed popes to marry

It declared popes were infallible

It divided the New World between Spain and Portugal

It stated that Jesus was both God and man

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Question 6 of 10

6. A great patron of the arts, Alexander filled his rooms in the Apostolic Palace with lavish frescos. Which artist was chosen for this honor? Hint

Michelangelo

Pinturicchio

Raphael

Leonardo da Vinci

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Question 7 of 10

7. Alexander was a secular as well as a spiritual leader. What was the name of the region which he governed? Hint

The Papal States

Valencia

Italy

The Holy Roman Empire

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Question 8 of 10

8. Machiavelli wrote about both Alexander and his son Cesare in "The Prince". Which quotation from this book describes how Machiavelli viewed Alexander? Hint

"Alexander's lack of morals did not prevent him from becoming a powerful king."

"Alexander, one of the greatest popes of all time..."

"Alexander VI did nothing but deceive men..."

"Alexander and his son Cesare improved Italy during their lives."

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Question 9 of 10

9. Alexander died in 1503, and his death is still considered suspicious. What is one of the major theories of his death? Hint

Shot in a hunting "accident"

Poisoned during a dinner

Suffocated in his sleep by his guard

Drowned after his boat was sabotaged

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where is Alexander buried? Hint

Rome

Tordesillas

Valencia

Milan

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was Alexander VI called before he became pope?

Answer: Rodrigo Borgia

Rodrigo Lanzol was born in Valencia in 1431, and he took his mother's last name Borgia (or Borja) when his maternal uncle became pope. He then took the name Alexander VI upon his own election as pope in 1492.

2. Alexander wasn't the first pope from his family. What was the name of his uncle who was pope 35 years before Alexander?

Answer: Callixtus III

Callixtus III was pope from 1455-1458. Callixtus made his nephew Alexander (then still called Rodrigo) a cardinal in 1456.

3. Things were different in the 1400's - priests, cardinals and even popes had mistresses and children! Who was Alexander's mistress who became the mother of the infamous Cesare Borgia?

Answer: Vannozza dei Cattani

Vannozza dei Cattani was Alexander's mistress for many years, and had four children whom Alexander acknowledged as his own: Cesare, Giovanni, Lucrezia and Goffredo.

Answer: 3

Lucrezia was married three times, each to a distinguished nobleman. Her husbands were Giovanni Sforza (Lord of Pesaro), Alfonso of Aragon (illegitimate son of the King of Naples) and Alfonso d'Este (Duke of Ferrara). Lucrezia's second husband was murdered - and rumors at the time blamed her brother Cesare for the deed.

5. Alexander issued the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. What important issue did this decide?

Answer: It divided the New World between Spain and Portugal

The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World by an imaginary line, allowing Spain to have the lands to the west and Portugal to have the lands to the east. This was hugely important to the countries involved as the New World was filled with many riches and much land to be colonized.

6. A great patron of the arts, Alexander filled his rooms in the Apostolic Palace with lavish frescos. Which artist was chosen for this honor?

Answer: Pinturicchio

Pinturicchio painted the walls of the pope's apartments with frescos covering a variety of subjects, including biblical scenes, lives of the saints, and even some scientific topics. After Alexander's death, the new pope would not live in the same rooms as his predecessor and the Borgia apartments were sealed for many years.

7. Alexander was a secular as well as a spiritual leader. What was the name of the region which he governed?

Answer: The Papal States

The Papal States were a region led by the pope as a sovereign monarch. The Papal States, although much diminished from their peak, lasted until 1870. Alexander expanded the Papal States during his lifetime and was an important secular leader of the 15th century.

8. Machiavelli wrote about both Alexander and his son Cesare in "The Prince". Which quotation from this book describes how Machiavelli viewed Alexander?

Answer: "Alexander VI did nothing but deceive men..."

Machiavelli's "The Prince" did not reflect favorably on Alexander or his family, as Machiavelli believed that Alexander was extremely corrupt.

9. Alexander died in 1503, and his death is still considered suspicious. What is one of the major theories of his death?

Answer: Poisoned during a dinner

Alexander died after a short illness. Since his son Cesare also took sick after eating at the same banquet, many believe that they were poisoned. Although Cesare recovered, Alexander died at the age of 72.

10. Where is Alexander buried?

Answer: Rome

Alexander is buried in Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli in Rome. His uncle Callixtus III is also buried there.

Source: Author kmarti14

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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