Although the Pope in 1501 issued the first edict of censorship, he was not an enemy of the sciences.

He fostered the University of Rome, several of whose chairs were at that time held by men of note; for example, Petrus Sabinus and John Argyropulos.

One of the greatest geniuses--one whose light has blessed all mankind--was for a year an ornament of this university and of the reign of Alexander; Copernicus came to Rome from far away Prussia in the jubilee year 1500, and lectured on mathematics and astronomy.
Among Alexander's courtiers there were many brilliant men whose society Lucretia must have had an opportunity to enjoy.

Burchard, the master of ceremonies, laid down the rules for all the functions in which the Pope's daughter took part.

He must have called upon her frequently, but she could scarcely have foreseen that, centuries later, this Alsatian's notes would constitute the mirror in which posterity would see the reflections of the Borgias.