Discover the captivating story of Marino Faliero, the 55th Doge of Venice, who dared to challenge the aristocracy and fight for the welfare of his people amidst a severe economic crisis. Elected on September 11, 1354, Faliero's reign was marked by controversy and power struggles, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall on April 17, 1355. Learn about his courageous attempts to address poverty, avoid war, and seize power, and the dramatic events that led to his execution for high treason. Uncover the intriguing details of his conspiracy, his relationships with key figures like Filippo Calendario and Bertuccio Isarello, and the complex web of alliances that defined his tumultuous dogate.
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[...] He also had to contend with the rivalry with the Republic of Genoa, which dominated Venice both commercially and militarily. Faliero had to navigate the complex web of aristocratic assemblies that limited his ability to implement his projects. In an attempt to avoid the war desired by the aristocrats, Faliero secretly negotiated with Genoa, which sparked their anger. He then conceived a plot to overthrow the aristocratic grip on power by organizing a conspiracy. Faliero surrounded himself with a few bourgeois supporters, including Filippo Calendario, Bertuccio Isarello, and Bertrandro Bergamoso, the latter being overly talkative. [...]
[...] INTRODUCTION Marino Faliero was the 55th Doge of the Republic of Venice from 11 September 1354 to 17 April 1355 months and 6 days). He was born in 1274 and died on 17 April 1355. His place of birth and death is identical, the city-state of Venice. II. ELECTION AS DOGE AND DOGATE With Andrea Dandolo's death, the Venetian elite had to elect a successor. After the first round, Marino Faliero was designated the winner. At the time of his election, Faliero was in Avignon, serving as the Venetian ambassador to Pope Innocent VI. [...]
[...] The next day, it will be the doge's turn to be tried. He is accused of this attempt at rapprochement with Genoa, his attempt at a coup d'état, in short, his high treason against the Republic of Venice. He will be beheaded, his body will remain for a whole day, without a head, in the sight of all. Despite his high office, Marino Faliero will never have been above all, this execution reminding him, as well as his portrait, which will be blackened, eleven years after his death, erasing him from the history of the Republic of Venice forever, although he was one of the few doges to care about the poverty of his people and not want to make war on an enemy, avoiding important bloodbaths. [...]
