Giovanni Malatesta

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Gianciotto Discovers Paolo and Francesca by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.
Gianciotto Discovers Paolo and Francesca by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.

Giovanni Malatesta (died 1304), known, from his lameness, as Gianciotto, or Giovanni, lo Sciancato, was the eldest son of Malatesta da Verucchio of Rimini.

From 1275 onwards he played an active part in the Romagnole Wars and factions. He is chiefly famous for the domestic tragedy of 1285, recorded in Dante's Inferno, when, having detected his wife, Francesca da Polenta (Francesca da Rimini), in adultery with his brother Paolo, he killed them both with his own hands.

He captured Pesaro in 1294, and ruled it as podestà until his death.

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This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.

Preceded by
to the Papal States
Lord of Pesaro
1294-1304
Succeeded by
Pandolfo I Malatesta
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