Alfonso Piccolomini

Alfonso II Piccolomini (10 March 1499 – 17 February 1559) was a Neapolitan nobleman and military leader who held the office of Duke of Amalfi throughout his life. He belonged to the Sienese Piccolomini family and served as imperial governor of the Republic of Siena from 1529 until 1541.

Alfonso was born in Naples on 10 March 1499, the posthumous son of Alfonso I Piccolomini by his wife Giovanna d'Aragona. In 1517, he married Costanza, the daughter of Innico II d'Avalos and protégée of Costanza d'Avalos, Duchess of Francavilla. Contemporary chroniclers report his numerous infidelities, but he had seven legitimate children, four sons and three daughters, all but two of whom survived to adulthood. In 1553, Alfonso purchased the island of Nisida and began constructing a massive castle that could serve as both the centre of a refined aristocratic court and part of a strategic line of defence in the Gulf of Naples. He liquidated much of his family's silver to fund the building.