Chiara Zorzi facts for kids
Chiara Zorzi, also known as Clara or Claire, was a duchess in Athens. She was married to Nerio II Acciaioli, who was the Duke of Athens. After his death, she became the ruler, or regent, of Athens. She ruled for her young son, Francesco I, from 1451 until 1454.
Her Life and Rule
Chiara Zorzi was the daughter of Nicholas III Zorzi, a noble from Bodonitsa. She was known for her beauty. When her husband, Duke Nerio II, passed away, Chiara made sure she could become the guardian of her son. This meant she would rule the Duchy of Athens as regent. The powerful Ottoman Empire agreed to her rule.
A New Marriage and Challenges
Not long after Chiara became regent, she met a Venetian nobleman named Bartolomeo Contarini. He was visiting Athens, and they fell in love. Chiara asked him to marry her. Bartolomeo was already married, but he went back to Venice and ended his previous marriage so he could marry Chiara. He then returned to Athens, and they got married in 1453. As her husband, Bartolomeo also started to share in the government of Athens.
Ottoman Intervention
The people of Athens were not happy about the growing influence of the Venetian Bartolomeo. They felt that the two lovers had too much power over the young Duke Francesco I. Complaints reached the Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet II. The Sultan decided to step in to protect the young duke. He called Bartolomeo and his stepson, Duke Francesco I, to his court in Adrianople. Sadly, Duke Francesco I was never seen again after this.
End of Her Rule
Another member of the Acciaioli family, Francesco II, who was the young duke's cousin, was sent to Athens. He became the new duke, supported by the Ottomans. This meant Chiara lost her power in Athens. The new Duke Francesco II ordered Chiara to be killed in a place called Megara. Some stories say she was killed in the Daphni monastery, which was a burial place for French dukes.
Bartolomeo Contarini, Chiara's husband, asked the Sultan for justice. Because of these events, Athens was taken over by the Ottoman Empire, and Francesco II was removed from power.
