CHAPTER XXXI
1414. July 21. Birth of Sixtus IV. 277
" Origin of his family 277
1414. Omens attending his birth 278
1471. Aug. 9. His education and elevation to the papacy 278
Children of his father, and their descendants 279
His partiality to his nephews 283
Extravagance of Cardinal Pietro Riario 284
Hospitalities of Sixtus 285
His improvements in Rome 286
Scandals regarding him 287
His patronage of art 287
And of the Vatican Library 289
Portrait there of himself and nephews 289
Painted by Melozzo da Forlì 290
His brother Giovanni della Rovere 291
1474. Oct. 12. Made vicar of Sinigaglia 291
" " 28. His marriage with Princess Giovanna of Urbino 291
1475. Made Lord Prefect of Rome 291
His beneficial reign 292
His favour at the papal court 293
1474. The story of Zizim or Gem 293
" His ransom is seized by the Prefect 294
" Curious correspondence of the Sultan with Alexander VI. 295
" Description of Gem by Mantegna the painter 297
1501. Nov. 6. Death of the Prefect 299
His portrait 299
His widow 300
Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere 301
His persecutions by the Borgias 301
1503. Nov. 1. His election to the Tiara 303
His character and policy 304
His patronage of art 306
His improvements in Rome 306
Parallel of him with Leo X. 307