The Borgias the Original Crime Family Inspired the Godfather

"The Borgias" is a Showtime series, based on the real life of Rodrigo Borgia and his family. The historic Borgia 'family was the inspiration for "The Godfather," the story of the Corleone family, by Mario Puzo.

Mario Puzo was intrigued with Italian history and reportedly based his characters of "The Godfather" on the historic Borgia family. Puzo saw a similarity between the historic Borgia family and the Italian mafia of the 20th century.

The movie The Godfather starred Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the head of a 20th century mafia family. The Showtime series, The Borgias, set in the 15th century, stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI.

Rodrigo Borgia was sinfully smart man who would stop at nothing to preserve power for himself and his family. Pope Alexander (Borgia) was not only the head of his family, but, as Pope, he was believed to have been chosen by God.

Rodrigo Borgia captured the papal throne in Rome in 1492. The Borgias used deceit and treachery to hold on to power. The Borgias were Spanish immigrants to Rome, saw the secure positions of the great Romano families, and wanted to make a place for themselves. Vito Corleone was an Italian immigrant to America. Like Borgia, Corleone wanted to secure the a position for his family in a new land.

The Borgias were considered the most immoral, powerful, blood thirsty family in Medieval Italy. They were outsiders, as was the family of "The Godfather." The godfather is the head of the family, responsible for the material needs of the family, as well as the soul.

The five main families of the Italian Medieval era were the Borgia family, the Colonna family, the Medici family, the Orsini family and the Sforza family.

The crime families that controlled with northeast in The Godfather were the Corleone family, the Tattaglia family, the Barzini family, the Cuneo family , and the Stracci family.

Pope Borgia's son, Cesare Borgia (Francois Arnaud) was the most intelligent of the children.. Cesare Borgia's counterpart in The Godfather was Michael Corleone (Al Pacino). Borgia forced Cesare to become a cardinal, much as Vito Corleone forced Michael Corleone to accept the gun. Each son had an unwanted career, designed by their powerful father.

Pope Borgia designated Juan Borgia (David Oakes) as a military leader, Juan was the weaker son, not as bright as his older brother, Cesare. Juan was not good at being a military leader and had appalling lack of judgment Juan's counterpart in The Godfather was Sonny (James Caan), who was a hothead and was ultimately killed because of his lack of judgment.

Borgia's youngest son, Joffre Borgia (Aiden Alexander) was a weak kid. Joffre's counterpart in The Godfather was Fredo John Cazale), a well meaning guy, who turned out to be a schemer. Fredo was ultimately killed for his scheming and betrayal of his family.

Borgia's only daughter was Lucretia Borgia. In the Godfather, the only daughter was Connie (Talia Shire).

The most important element in the stories of The Borgias and The Godfather was family. They were killers, but there were in many ways, a normal family.

The popular HBO series, The Sopranos is another story of the family of a powerful mafia boss, Tony Soprano and Carmela Soprano. The characters of The Sopranos made several references to The Godfather, which was based on the Borgia family.

Broadwalk Empire is an HBO series about the personal life of a crime boss, during the Prohibition Era.

The Borgias airs on Showtime TV premium cable.