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February 12, 2021

55 minutes

Available for over a year

Greg Jenner is ed by historian Prof Catherine Fletcher and comedian Phil Wang in 15th-century Rome as they introduce us to the infamous Borgias family. With dynastic alliances, poisonous rings, murders and chestnut orgies, it’s not hard to see how they may have inspired Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather. But how much of what we know of Italy’s original crime family is actually true?

Produced by Cornelius Mendez

Script by Greg Jenner and Emma Nagouse

Research by Jessica White

A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.