The Chestnut Banquet
On the night of October 30, 1501, on the eve of All Saints' Day, Pope Alexander VI and his son Cesare Borgia organized a grand party in the Apostolic Palace Vatican. To this party were invited several cardinals and bishops, as well as the most important authorities of Rome. As was usual in these celebrations, the banquet was luxurious and no expense was spared, serving a great variety of food and drink for the enjoyment of those present. However, and despite the fact that the dishes were fabulous, the best was yet to come. And it was that once the desserts were finished, and to the surprise of the guests, Cesare Borgia ordered that the tables be cleared and several candelabras be placed on the floor. Immediately, about fifty courtesans (euphemism at that time for high-class prostitutes) entered the room and began to dance sensually around them. They undressed to the rhythm of the music, tied the women's hands behind their backs, threw chestnuts on the floor and they had to ...