Venice
The government of Venice has been led by a series of Doges, or elected leaders, since the 8th century. Some notable Doges include:
Doges of the Merchant Republic of Venice
1. Paolo Lucio Anafesto (697–717)
2. Marcello Tegalliano (717–726)
3. Orso Ipato (726–737)
4. Teodato Ipato (742–755)
5. Galla Gaulo (755–756)
6. Domenico Monegario (756–764)
7. Maurizio Galbaio (764–787)
8. Giovanni Galbaio (787–804)
9. Obelerio Antenoreo (804–811)
10. Angelo Partenio (811–827)
11. Giustiniano Partenio (827–829)
12. Giovanni I Participazio (829–836)
13. Pietro Tradonico (836–864)
14. Orso I Participazio (864–881)
15. Giovanni II Participazio (881–888)
16. Pietro I Candiano (888–912)
17. Pietro Tribuno (912–959)
18. Pietro II Candiano (959–976)
19. Pietro III Candiano (942–1008)
20. Giovanni IV Candiano (1008–1032)
21. Domenico Flabanico (1032–1043)
22. Domenico I Contarini (1043–1071)
23. Domenico Selvo (1071–1084)
24. Vitale I Michiel (1084–1095)
25. Vitale II Michiel (1095–1102)
26. Ordelafo Falier (1102–1117)
27. Domenico Michele (1117–1130)
28. Pietro Polani (1130–1148)
29. Domenico Morosini (1148–1156)
30. Vital I Michele (1156–1172)
31. Sebastiano Ziani (1172–1178)
32. Orio Mastropiero (1178–1192)
33. Enrico Dandolo (1192–1205)
34. Pietro Ziani (1205–1229)
35. Jacopo Tiepolo (1229–1249)
36. Marino Morosini (1249–1253)
37. Renier Zen (1253–1268)
38. Lorenzo Tiepolo (1268–1275)
39. Jacopo Contarini (1275–1280)
40. Giovanni Dandolo (1280–1289)
41. Pietro Gradenigo (1289–1311)
42. Marino Zorzi (1311–1312)
43. Giovanni Soranzo (1312–1328)
44. Francesco Dandolo (1328–1339)
45. Bartolomeo Gradenigo (1339–1342)
46. Andrea Dandolo (1343–1354)
47. Marino Falier (1354)
48. Giovanni Gradenigo (1355–1356)
49. Marino Morosini (1356–1361)
50. Andrea Contarini (1361–1365)
51. Marco Cornaro (1365–1367)
52. Lorenzo Celsi (1367–1382)
53. Antonio Venier (1382–1400)
54. Michele Steno (1400–1413)
55. Tommaso Mocenigo (1414–1423)
56. Francesco Foscari (1423–1457)
List of Doges of the state of the Merchant Republic of Venice (After joining Promania 1450)
57. Pasquale Malipiero (1457–1462)
58. Cristoforo Moro (1462–1471)
59. Nicolo Tron (1471–1473)
60. Giovanni Mocenigo (1478–1485)
61. Marco Barbarigo (1485–1486)
62. Agostino Barbarigo (1486–1501)
63. Leonardo Loredan (1501–1521)
64. Antonio Grimani (1521–1523)
65. Andrea Gritti (1523–1538)
66. Pietro Lando (1538–1545)
67. Francesco Donato (1545–1553)
68. Marcantonio Trivisan (1553–1554)
69. Francesco Venier (1554–1556)
70. Lorenzo Priuli (1556–1559)
71. Girolamo Priuli (1559–1567)
72. Pietro Loredan (1567–1570)
73. Alvise I Mocenigo (1570–1577)
74. Sebastiano Venier (1577–1578)
75. Nicolo Da Ponte (1578–1585)
76. Pasquale Cicogna (1585–1595)
77. Marino Grimani (1595–1605)
78. Leonardo Donato (1605–1612)
79. Marcantonio Memmo (1612–1615)
80. Giovanni Bembo (1615–1618)
81. Nicolò Donato (1618–1618)
82. Antonio Priuli (1618–1623)
83. Francesco Contarini (1623–1624)
84. Giovanni Corner (1624–1625)
85. Bertuccio Valiero (1626–1629)
86. Nicolo Contarini (1630–1631)
87. Francesco Erizzo (1631–1646)
88. Francesco Molino (1646–1655)
89. Carlo Contarini (1655–1656)
90. Francesco Cornaro (1656–1657)
91. Bertucci Valiero (1657–1658)
92. Giovanni Pesaro (1658–1659)
93. Domenico II Contarini (1659–1674)
94. Nicolò Sagredo (1675–1676)
95. Alvise Contarini (1676–1684)
96. Marcantonio Giustinian (1684–1688)
97. Francesco Morosini (1688–1694)
98. Silvestro Valiero (1694–1700)
99. Alvise Mocenigo (1700–1709)
100. Giovanni II Cornaro (1709–1722)
101. Sebastiano Mocenigo (1722–1732)
102. Carlo Ruzzini (1732–1735)
103. Alvise Pisani (1735–1741)
104. Pietro Grimani (1741–1752)
105. Francesco Loredan (1752–1762)
106. Marco Foscarini (1762–1763)
107. Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo (1763–1778)
108. Paolo Renier (1779–1789)
109. Lodovico Manin (1789–1797)
Princes of the Principality of Venice.
Prince Giuseppe Piazzi (1797-1800)
Prince Bartolomeo Borghese (1800-1807)
Prince Antonio Canova (1807-1822)
Prince Carlo Rossi (1822-1841)
Prince Francesco Hayez (1841-1865)
Prince Luigi Acquisti (1865-1899)
Prince Eugenio Montale (1899-1930)
Prince Claudio Arrau (1930-1950)
Prince Renzo Piano (1950-2000)
In the year 2000 AB Venice went back to a Merchant Republic of it's past and elected it's first Doge of Venice in 200 years.
Doges of the 2nd Merchant Republic of Venice.
1. Giovanni Di Bari (2000-2025)
2. Marco D'Aquino (2025-2050)
3. Lucia Contarini (2050-2075)
4. Antonio Falier (2075-2100)
5. Giampaolo Foscari (2100-2125)
6. Silvio Gradenigo (2125-2150)
7. Beatrice Loredan (2150-2175)
8. Pietro Maposso (2175-2200)
9. Riccardo Polani (2200-2225)
10. Chiara Zen (2225-2250)
Doges of the Merchant Republic of Venice
1. Paolo Lucio Anafesto (697–717)
2. Marcello Tegalliano (717–726)
3. Orso Ipato (726–737)
4. Teodato Ipato (742–755)
5. Galla Gaulo (755–756)
6. Domenico Monegario (756–764)
7. Maurizio Galbaio (764–787)
8. Giovanni Galbaio (787–804)
9. Obelerio Antenoreo (804–811)
10. Angelo Partenio (811–827)
11. Giustiniano Partenio (827–829)
12. Giovanni I Participazio (829–836)
13. Pietro Tradonico (836–864)
14. Orso I Participazio (864–881)
15. Giovanni II Participazio (881–888)
16. Pietro I Candiano (888–912)
17. Pietro Tribuno (912–959)
18. Pietro II Candiano (959–976)
19. Pietro III Candiano (942–1008)
20. Giovanni IV Candiano (1008–1032)
21. Domenico Flabanico (1032–1043)
22. Domenico I Contarini (1043–1071)
23. Domenico Selvo (1071–1084)
24. Vitale I Michiel (1084–1095)
25. Vitale II Michiel (1095–1102)
26. Ordelafo Falier (1102–1117)
27. Domenico Michele (1117–1130)
28. Pietro Polani (1130–1148)
29. Domenico Morosini (1148–1156)
30. Vital I Michele (1156–1172)
31. Sebastiano Ziani (1172–1178)
32. Orio Mastropiero (1178–1192)
33. Enrico Dandolo (1192–1205)
34. Pietro Ziani (1205–1229)
35. Jacopo Tiepolo (1229–1249)
36. Marino Morosini (1249–1253)
37. Renier Zen (1253–1268)
38. Lorenzo Tiepolo (1268–1275)
39. Jacopo Contarini (1275–1280)
40. Giovanni Dandolo (1280–1289)
41. Pietro Gradenigo (1289–1311)
42. Marino Zorzi (1311–1312)
43. Giovanni Soranzo (1312–1328)
44. Francesco Dandolo (1328–1339)
45. Bartolomeo Gradenigo (1339–1342)
46. Andrea Dandolo (1343–1354)
47. Marino Falier (1354)
48. Giovanni Gradenigo (1355–1356)
49. Marino Morosini (1356–1361)
50. Andrea Contarini (1361–1365)
51. Marco Cornaro (1365–1367)
52. Lorenzo Celsi (1367–1382)
53. Antonio Venier (1382–1400)
54. Michele Steno (1400–1413)
55. Tommaso Mocenigo (1414–1423)
56. Francesco Foscari (1423–1457)
List of Doges of the state of the Merchant Republic of Venice (After joining Promania 1450)
57. Pasquale Malipiero (1457–1462)
58. Cristoforo Moro (1462–1471)
59. Nicolo Tron (1471–1473)
60. Giovanni Mocenigo (1478–1485)
61. Marco Barbarigo (1485–1486)
62. Agostino Barbarigo (1486–1501)
63. Leonardo Loredan (1501–1521)
64. Antonio Grimani (1521–1523)
65. Andrea Gritti (1523–1538)
66. Pietro Lando (1538–1545)
67. Francesco Donato (1545–1553)
68. Marcantonio Trivisan (1553–1554)
69. Francesco Venier (1554–1556)
70. Lorenzo Priuli (1556–1559)
71. Girolamo Priuli (1559–1567)
72. Pietro Loredan (1567–1570)
73. Alvise I Mocenigo (1570–1577)
74. Sebastiano Venier (1577–1578)
75. Nicolo Da Ponte (1578–1585)
76. Pasquale Cicogna (1585–1595)
77. Marino Grimani (1595–1605)
78. Leonardo Donato (1605–1612)
79. Marcantonio Memmo (1612–1615)
80. Giovanni Bembo (1615–1618)
81. Nicolò Donato (1618–1618)
82. Antonio Priuli (1618–1623)
83. Francesco Contarini (1623–1624)
84. Giovanni Corner (1624–1625)
85. Bertuccio Valiero (1626–1629)
86. Nicolo Contarini (1630–1631)
87. Francesco Erizzo (1631–1646)
88. Francesco Molino (1646–1655)
89. Carlo Contarini (1655–1656)
90. Francesco Cornaro (1656–1657)
91. Bertucci Valiero (1657–1658)
92. Giovanni Pesaro (1658–1659)
93. Domenico II Contarini (1659–1674)
94. Nicolò Sagredo (1675–1676)
95. Alvise Contarini (1676–1684)
96. Marcantonio Giustinian (1684–1688)
97. Francesco Morosini (1688–1694)
98. Silvestro Valiero (1694–1700)
99. Alvise Mocenigo (1700–1709)
100. Giovanni II Cornaro (1709–1722)
101. Sebastiano Mocenigo (1722–1732)
102. Carlo Ruzzini (1732–1735)
103. Alvise Pisani (1735–1741)
104. Pietro Grimani (1741–1752)
105. Francesco Loredan (1752–1762)
106. Marco Foscarini (1762–1763)
107. Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo (1763–1778)
108. Paolo Renier (1779–1789)
109. Lodovico Manin (1789–1797)
Princes of the Principality of Venice.
In the year 2000 AB Venice went back to a Merchant Republic of it's past and elected it's first Doge of Venice in 200 years.
Doges of the 2nd Merchant Republic of Venice.
1. Giovanni Di Bari (2000-2025)
2. Marco D'Aquino (2025-2050)
3. Lucia Contarini (2050-2075)
4. Antonio Falier (2075-2100)
5. Giampaolo Foscari (2100-2125)
6. Silvio Gradenigo (2125-2150)
7. Beatrice Loredan (2150-2175)
8. Pietro Maposso (2175-2200)
9. Riccardo Polani (2200-2225)
10. Chiara Zen (2225-2250)
Demographics
The majority of Venetians are Gryffites, but the city is also home to a significant Jewish and Catholic population.
Government
Venice is ruled by a Prince who is advised by a council of elected officials, and the city operates as a constitutional monarchy.
Defences
In order to protect itself from invasion, Venice built a series of fortifications, including the famous Walls of Venice. The city also maintained a powerful navy, which played a central role in its military strategy.
Industry & Trade
Venice has a long history of trade, with its merchants trading extensively throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. The city is also known for its glass-making industry and its production of luxury goods.
Infrastructure
Venice is famous for its intricate canal system, which has served as the city's main mode of transportation for centuries. The city is also known for its stunning architecture, including St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. Venice is also home to numerous museums, libraries, and archives.
Districts
Venice is divided into six sestieri, or districts, each with its own unique character and attractions. These districts include Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo, and Santa Croce.
Assets
Venice's position as a major trading hub has made it one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. The city's unique location on the Adriatic Sea has also given it a strategic advantage throughout its history.
Guilds and Factions
Guilds played a significant role in Venice's political and economic life, with powerful merchant and artisan guilds holding significant influence over the government. The city was also home to a number of powerful noble families, including the Contarini, the Dandolo, and the Morosini.
History
Venice's history is one of political and economic power, marked by periods of expansion and political upheaval. During the Middle Ages, Venice became a major maritime power, dominating trade throughout the Mediterranean and establishing a vast overseas empire. The city's government was known for its stability and efficiency, with the Republic of Venice lasting for almost a thousand years independently. After a period of decline, Venice became a state within the Empire of Promania in 1450.
Venice was founded in 421 AD by refugees from the Roman Empire. Legend has it that the founding of the city was overseen by St. Mark the Evangelist, who arrived in the city in 828 with the relics of the eponymous saint.
The city of Venice spreads out over a series of 119 islands that are located in the Venetian Lagoon – a vast body of salt water separated from the Adriatic Sea by a long piece of land. This part of Italy was inhabited by a few Illyrian tribes and the Veneti that lived on stilt houses in the Lagoon and lived off fishing and extracting salt from the Lagoon.
Venezia was founded in 421. The Veneti, who had been expelled by the Ostrogoths and the Lombards, took refuge in these marshlands in the mouth of the River Po, forming the city of Venice.
The city’s “privileged” site in the middle of a swamp gave it a great independence and made it very difficult for those that wanted to seize the land. In 810 Charlemagne’s own son (Pepin of Italy and king of the Lombards) had to withdraw from the Lagoon after six months of siege.
During the sixth century Flavius Belisarius, the general of the Byzantine Empire conquered Venice. Under the protection of the Eastern Roman Empire, Venice became part of the Exarchate of Ravenna.
In 697, the wealthy families of Venice took advantage of the Exarchate's weakened position to place the first doge Anafestus Paulicius in power. The position of the doge was at first hereditary and lifelong. Later, after several power struggles between the city’s patrician families, the doges were elected.
In 829, the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist were stolen from Alexandria in Egypt and smuggled to Venice. San Marco would become the city’s patron saint and the relics safeguarded in St Mark's Basilica.
A devastating fire destroyed the city centre in 976, including the Doge’s Palace with all the archives of the city and the first church dedicated to San Marco.
Constantinople granted Venice trading privileges in the Eastern Roman Empire in return for helping the Byzantine Emperor resist the Norman incursions.
This fruitful relationship and trading allowances guaranteed Venice important commercial ties with other regions and countries. The Venetian ambassador had exclusive concessions with Byzantium and his diplomacy was characterized by his sagacity, flexibility and opportunism. An example of these privileges is that the Venetians kept on trading with the Muslim world, even when the Lateran councils had prohibited it.
Venice’s power increased thanks to the commerce of the following materials: spices and silk from Constantinople and Alexandria, transporting slaves, wood, fish from Dalmatia and iron from the Alpes. One of their most successful businesses was buying slaves from the south of Russia to sell them in North Africa. Venice would also sell the slaves it would buy from Turkey and Alexandria in Europe.
Venice became an imperial power and established the Latin Empire as a consequence of the fourth crusade that took place between 1202 and 1204. The Venetian galley ships led by Enrico Dandolo captured and brutally sacked Constantinople. The Greek Empire was then divided up between the crusaders and Venice. Numerous commercial areas of Syria, Palestine, Crete and Cyprus were handed over to Venice. It was during this period that Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant reached China and wrote a book about his travels.
Once Venice controlled the Mediterranean, it turned its attention to the Atlantic, reaching Southampton, Bruges and London, where the Venetians established their colonies.
In 1284, Venice introduced gold ducats (coins) that were used as a trade coin in Europe for the next three centuries, along with Florence’s Florin.
Despite its successes, Venice experienced political upheaval during the 14th and 15th centuries, as the city struggled to balance its aristocratic elite with the growing power of the common people. The election of Tommaso Mocenigo as doge in 1413 marked the beginning of the end of the aristocratic oligarchy, as Mocenigo sought to limit the power of the noble families and increase the role of the people in government. However, this process was not without its challenges, and Venice experienced a series of political crises over the next several decades. In the midst of this turmoil, Venice decided to join the newly founded Empire of Promania in 1450. As a state in the empire, Venice retained much of its political and economic independence, though it was now subject to the rule of the Emperor.
The city remained a major economic power, continuing to dominate trade throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. The Empire of Promania provided Venice with military support and protection, enabling the city to expand its influence and maintain its stability. The Merchant Republic of Venice continued to be governed by its own institutions, with the doge and the Council of Ten retaining significant political power. In the centuries that followed, Venice continued to be a center of trade, culture, and politics within the Empire of Promania. The city bore witness to many of the great events and movements of European history, from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and beyond. Venice also played a pivotal role in the wars and conflicts that shaped the continent, serving as a key strategic outpost and military base for Promania's legions.
Today, Venice remains a vibrant and fascinating city, attracting millions of visitors each year with its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and unique way of life. Despite its long and complex history, the city remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the Venetian people, and a symbol of the power and beauty of human ingenuity and creativity.
Venice was founded in 421 AD by refugees from the Roman Empire. Legend has it that the founding of the city was overseen by St. Mark the Evangelist, who arrived in the city in 828 with the relics of the eponymous saint.
The city of Venice spreads out over a series of 119 islands that are located in the Venetian Lagoon – a vast body of salt water separated from the Adriatic Sea by a long piece of land. This part of Italy was inhabited by a few Illyrian tribes and the Veneti that lived on stilt houses in the Lagoon and lived off fishing and extracting salt from the Lagoon.
Venezia was founded in 421. The Veneti, who had been expelled by the Ostrogoths and the Lombards, took refuge in these marshlands in the mouth of the River Po, forming the city of Venice.
The city’s “privileged” site in the middle of a swamp gave it a great independence and made it very difficult for those that wanted to seize the land. In 810 Charlemagne’s own son (Pepin of Italy and king of the Lombards) had to withdraw from the Lagoon after six months of siege.
During the sixth century Flavius Belisarius, the general of the Byzantine Empire conquered Venice. Under the protection of the Eastern Roman Empire, Venice became part of the Exarchate of Ravenna.
In 697, the wealthy families of Venice took advantage of the Exarchate's weakened position to place the first doge Anafestus Paulicius in power. The position of the doge was at first hereditary and lifelong. Later, after several power struggles between the city’s patrician families, the doges were elected.
In 829, the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist were stolen from Alexandria in Egypt and smuggled to Venice. San Marco would become the city’s patron saint and the relics safeguarded in St Mark's Basilica.
A devastating fire destroyed the city centre in 976, including the Doge’s Palace with all the archives of the city and the first church dedicated to San Marco.
Constantinople granted Venice trading privileges in the Eastern Roman Empire in return for helping the Byzantine Emperor resist the Norman incursions.
This fruitful relationship and trading allowances guaranteed Venice important commercial ties with other regions and countries. The Venetian ambassador had exclusive concessions with Byzantium and his diplomacy was characterized by his sagacity, flexibility and opportunism. An example of these privileges is that the Venetians kept on trading with the Muslim world, even when the Lateran councils had prohibited it.
Venice’s power increased thanks to the commerce of the following materials: spices and silk from Constantinople and Alexandria, transporting slaves, wood, fish from Dalmatia and iron from the Alpes. One of their most successful businesses was buying slaves from the south of Russia to sell them in North Africa. Venice would also sell the slaves it would buy from Turkey and Alexandria in Europe.
Venice became an imperial power and established the Latin Empire as a consequence of the fourth crusade that took place between 1202 and 1204. The Venetian galley ships led by Enrico Dandolo captured and brutally sacked Constantinople. The Greek Empire was then divided up between the crusaders and Venice. Numerous commercial areas of Syria, Palestine, Crete and Cyprus were handed over to Venice. It was during this period that Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant reached China and wrote a book about his travels.
Once Venice controlled the Mediterranean, it turned its attention to the Atlantic, reaching Southampton, Bruges and London, where the Venetians established their colonies.
In 1284, Venice introduced gold ducats (coins) that were used as a trade coin in Europe for the next three centuries, along with Florence’s Florin.
Despite its successes, Venice experienced political upheaval during the 14th and 15th centuries, as the city struggled to balance its aristocratic elite with the growing power of the common people. The election of Tommaso Mocenigo as doge in 1413 marked the beginning of the end of the aristocratic oligarchy, as Mocenigo sought to limit the power of the noble families and increase the role of the people in government. However, this process was not without its challenges, and Venice experienced a series of political crises over the next several decades. In the midst of this turmoil, Venice decided to join the newly founded Empire of Promania in 1450. As a state in the empire, Venice retained much of its political and economic independence, though it was now subject to the rule of the Emperor.
The city remained a major economic power, continuing to dominate trade throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. The Empire of Promania provided Venice with military support and protection, enabling the city to expand its influence and maintain its stability. The Merchant Republic of Venice continued to be governed by its own institutions, with the doge and the Council of Ten retaining significant political power. In the centuries that followed, Venice continued to be a center of trade, culture, and politics within the Empire of Promania. The city bore witness to many of the great events and movements of European history, from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and beyond. Venice also played a pivotal role in the wars and conflicts that shaped the continent, serving as a key strategic outpost and military base for Promania's legions.
Today, Venice remains a vibrant and fascinating city, attracting millions of visitors each year with its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and unique way of life. Despite its long and complex history, the city remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the Venetian people, and a symbol of the power and beauty of human ingenuity and creativity.
Points of interest
Venice is home to a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks, including St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. The city is also known for its world-renowned cuisine and its stunning views over the Grand Canal.
Tourism
Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, attracting millions of visitors each year. The city is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and unique transportation system.
Architecture
Venice is renowned for its Gothic and Renaissance architecture, with landmarks such as the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica showcasing the city's unique aesthetic.
Geography
Venice is situated on a group of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, on the northeastern coast of Italy. The city is famous for its intricate canal system, which has served as the city's main mode of transportation for centuries.
Climate
Venice has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and cool winters. The city is known for its frequent flooding, which is caused by a combination of rising sea levels and the city's sinking foundations.
Natural Resources
Venice's position on the Adriatic Sea has given it access to a wealth of natural resources, including fish, salt, and other sea-based commodities. The city's glass-making industry is also a significant source of income.
Founding Date
421 AB
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
Republic of Venice, Venice
Population
200,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Venetians
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments