Giovanni Malatesta

Gianciotto Discovers Paolo and Francesca by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.

Giovanni Malatesta (died 1304), also known as Giovanni, lo Sciancato ("the Lame"), sometimes also called by the diminutive Gianciotto, was the second son of Malatesta da Verucchio of Rimini.

Biography 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: upon finding his wife, Francesca da Polenta (Francesca da Rimini), in adulterous embrace with his own brother (Paolo Malatesta), he killed them both with his own hands.

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