Editing Orsini family (section)

==Monterotondo line==
This line was founded by Rinaldo, third son of Matteo Rosso the Great. His son, Napoleone, became a cardinal in 1288 and remained a prominent member of the Curia until his death at Avignon in 1342.

This branch of the family was often involved in the baronial struggles of the Late Middle Ages Rome, at least three members of the family being elected as Senators, while others fought as condottieri. Francesco in 1370 took part to the war of Florence against the [[Visconti of Milan]]. Orso (died July 24, 1424) died fighting for the king of Naples in the [[Battle of Zagonara]] against the Milanese. His sons Giacomo (died 1482) and Lorenzo (1452) battled for the Papal States, Naples and Florence. One of Giacomo's daughters, [[Clarice Orsini|Clarice]] (1453–July 30, 1488) became [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]'s wife. [[Franciotto Orsini]] was created cardinal by [[Leo X]] in 1517.

The most important member of the Monterotondo Orsinis was [[Giambattista Orsini|Giovani Battista Orsini]], who became cardinal under [[Sixtus IV]] (1483). He was probably among the promoters of the failed plot against [[Cesare Borgia]] in 1502, being assassinated on February 22 of 1503 as retaliation, together with other members of the family: [[Giulio Orsini|Giulio]] survived captivity under Cesare, and [[Paolo Orsini (1450-1503)|Paolo]] and Francesco 4th [[Duke of Gravina]] were strangled to death on 18 January 1503.

The line decayed from the late 16th century, when several members were assassinated or lost their lands for various reasons. Its last representatives Enrico (died September 12, 1643) and Francesco (1592 - September 21, 1650) sold [[Monterotondo]] to the [[Barberini]] in 1641.