Bor ‧ gias, the /ˈbɔːdʒəz $ ˈbɔːr-/ BrE AmE
a powerful wealthy Italian family in the 15th and early 16th centuries, known for their cruel determination to gain political power. Lucrezia Borgia (1480–1519) became the Duchess of Ferrara and invited the best writers and artists to stay at her house. Her brother Cesare Borgia (1476–1507) was a successful soldier and ruler, and the Prince in Machiavelli's book The Prince is based on him.