4. ALEXANDER IV., Pope 1254-1261; of weak character. In his battle with Manfred of Sicily, he suffered bitter humiliations and, deserted by his bishops, escaped from Rome. He died in Viterbo, in 1261.
5. ALEXANDER V., Pietro Philargi, of Candia. He was for some time professor in Paris, and in 1402 was made Archbishop of Milan, and in 1404 cardinal. In 1409, after the deposition of the rival Popes, Gregory XII. and Benedict XIII., he was elected Pope by the Council of Pisa. He died at the age of 70.
6. ALEXANDER VI., Rodrigo Lenzuoli Borgia, a Spaniard, of Valencia, son of Isabelle Borgia, whose family name he took, born Jan. 1, 1431. At first he studied law, and then was appointed by his uncle, Pope Calixtus III., a cardinal before he was 25 years old. In 1458 he was made Archbishop of Valencia, and as such he led a dissipated life. He was crowned Aug. 26, 1492, with great pomp and solemnity. His daughter, Lucretia Borgia, was married to Giovanni Sforza, Lord of Pesaro, afterward to Alfonso di Biseglia, then thirdly to Alfonso d'Este, Prince of Ferrara. His son, Cæsar, who afterward got complete control of him, was made Archbishop of Valencia, and, in 1493, was appointed cardinal. Afterward, in order to create for him a secular principality, he made an alliance with Louis XII. of France. Cæsar Borgia, therefore, left the Church and became Duke of Valentinois. In 1501 he became Duke of the Romagna. On May 4, 1493, Alexander issued a bull dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal; on May 23, 1498, the execution of Savonarola took place by his order; and in 1501 he instituted the censorship of books. Alexander died Aug. 18, 1503, from poison.
7. ALEXANDER VII., Fabio Chigi, of Siena, was, during the treaties of peace at Münster and Osnabrück, papal nuncio in Germany. He was chosen Pope April 7, 1665, through the influence of France. During his rule Rome was beautified in many directions, especially through the colonnade before St. Peters. He was a poet and friend of the arts and sciences.
8. ALEXANDER VIII. (1610-1691), Pietro Ottoboni, of Venice; Pope 1689-1691; assisted Italy in wars against the Turks; was a notable nepotist.
ALEXANDER I., King of Greece, born on Aug. 1, 1893, second son of King Constantine of Greece. Upon the abdication of the latter, which was forced by the Allies, Alexander ascended the throne, June 12, 1917. He declared himself the guardian of the Constitution and made it clear that he would henceforth act in co-operation with the Entente. Venizelos was made Premier on June 27, 1917. Alexander died Oct. 25, 1920, from the effects of the bite of a monkey.
ALEXANDER II., Emperor of Russia (1855-1881), was born April 29, 1818. He was carefully educated by his father, Nicholas. At 16 he was declared of age, made commandant of the lancers of the guard, hetman of the Cossacks, first aide-de-camp of the Emperor, and subjected daily to a life of manoeuvring, reviewing, and military parade. He then traveled through Germany, and in 1841 concluded a marriage with the Princess Marie (1824-1880), daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse. By his dexterous and winning manners he found his way to the hearts of the Finns, and weakened their ancient love of independence.
