The Orsini and the Rothschild are two prominent families that have been involved in politics, finance, and religion for centuries [5][6]. They have different origins and histories, but they have also been connected by marriage, business, and conspiracy theories [6].
- The Orsini family is an Italian noble family that traces its roots back to the 6th century CE. They claim to be descended from the Julio-Claudian dynasty of ancient Rome, and have produced five popes, 34 cardinals, and numerous condottieri (military leaders) in their history. They were one of the most influential princely families in medieval Italy and Renaissance Rome, and held many fiefs and lordships in Lazio and the Kingdom of Naples [5][6]. They also had a long-standing rivalry with the Colonna family, another powerful Roman clan [5][6].

- The Rothschild family is a wealthy Jewish family that originated from Frankfurt, Germany, in the 18th century [5][6]. They rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812), a court factor (financial agent) to the German Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel, who established his banking business in the 1760s [5][6]. He was able to pass on his wealth and influence to his five sons, who established branches of the family bank in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, and Naples. The Rothschild family became the largest private fortune in the world in the 19th century, and played a major role in financing wars, governments, industries, and philanthropy. They were also elevated to noble rank in the Holy Roman Empire and the United Kingdom [5][6].

The Orsini and the Rothschild families have crossed paths several times in history. For example:
- In 1823, Carl Mayer von Rothschild (1788–1855), the son of Mayer Amschel Rothschild and the founder of the Naples branch of the family bank, married Adelheid Herz (1800–1853), the daughter of Salomon Herz (1768–1849) and Caroline Orsini (1776–1834). Caroline was a member of the Orsini family through her father, Domenico Napoleone Orsini (1749–1799), the Duke of Gravina [5][6].
- In 1865, James Mayer de Rothschild (1792–1868), the son of Mayer Amschel Rothschild and the founder of the Paris branch of the family bank, bought the Château de Ferrières from Marie-Caroline de Bourbon-Sicile (1798–1870), the Duchess of Berry. The château was built by Joseph Paxton (1803–1865) for James's son-in-law Edmond de Rothschild (1845–1934), who married James's daughter Adelheid (1833–1918) in 1857. The château was previously owned by Marie-Caroline's second husband Ettore Carlo Lucchesi-Palli (1806–1864), who was a descendant of Giulia Orsini (1617–1646), a member of the Orsini family through her father Paolo Giordano II Orsini (1591–1656), the Duke of Bracciano [5][6].
- In 2019, Nicky Hilton Rothschild (born 1983), a socialite and fashion designer, and a member of the Hilton family through her father Richard Hilton (born 1955), attended a charity gala at Palazzo Orsini in Rome. The palazzo was built by Matteo Rosso Orsini (1178–1246), called the Great, who was a senator and a lord of Rome in the 13th century. Nicky is married to James Rothschild (born 1985), a banker and a member of the Rothschild family through his father Amschel Mayor James Rothschild (1955–1996), who was a descendant of Mayer Amschel Rothschild [5][6].

The Orsini and the Rothschild families have also been the subject of various conspiracy theories, some of which have antisemitic origins. Some claim that they are part of a secret cabal that controls the world through banking, politics, religion, and media. Some also allege that they are involved in occult practices, satanic rituals, and blood sacrifices. Some of these theories are based on distorted or fabricated evidence, such as forged documents, false genealogies, or misinterpreted symbols [5][6].

The Orsini and the Rothschild families are examples of how different families can have intertwined histories and influences across time and space. They are also examples of how facts can be distorted or manipulated by conspiracy theorists to serve their own agendas [5][6].