CHAPTER IX

The conspiracy of Caesar’s captains--Machiavelli and Valentino--Vacillation of the conspirators--They offer to return to Caesar--They again take heart--A reconciliation is effected--Caesar separates the conspirators--He enters into an alliance with Bentivoglio--The rebels return to Caesar--Paolo Orsini takes possession of Urbino in Caesar’s name--Execution of Don Remiro de Lorca-- Caesar goes to Senigaglia, and meets his commanders--The trap at Senigaglia--Fate of the rebels--Caesar informs the Italian princes of his act--The Orsini and their adherents in Rome are seized--Cardinal Orsini’s palace is plundered--Fermo and Perugia surrender to Valentino-- He puts Paolo and Francesco Orsini to death--Cardinal Orsini dies in prison--Caesar demands that the Sienese expel Pandolfo Petrucci--He ravages the country about Siena--Activity of the Orsini in the neighbourhood of Rome--Caesar returns to Rome--He lays siege to Ceri-- Contemporary opinions of the Pope and Caesar--Gonsalvo de Cordova in Naples--The Pope and Caesar are stricken by the plague--Death of Alexander VI.--Rumours of poison-- Caesar recovers--He takes possession of the dead Pope’s property 206