Paolo Orsini (condottiero, born 1450)

Paolo Orsini (1450 – 18 January 1503) was an Italian condottiero in the service of the Papal States, Ferdinand of Aragon and the Republic of Florence.

He entered pope Alexander VI's service in 1497 and served alongside Cesare Borgia in the latter's attempt to conquer Bologna.

[2] He supported il Valentino in aiding the Duchy of Urbino who wished to return to ruling their state despite the Borgias' refusal to allow this.

After capturing Senigallia the Borgia used deception to arrest the four noblemen it wished to eliminate for taking part in the Magione conspiracy, with Vitellozzo Vitelli and Oliverotto da Fermo killed on 31 December 1502 by the assassin Michelotto Corella.

Paolo and his cousin Francesco (fourth duke of Gravina and son of Raimondo Orsini) were both handed over at Città della Pieve, where they were strangled on 18 January 1503.