Marino Faliero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
His Serenity
Marino Faliero
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Marino Faliero, Dux LV by Francisco Pradilla Ortiz (1883, Museo del Prado)
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| 55th Doge of Venice | |
| In office 11 September 1354 – 15 April 1355 |
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| Preceded by | Andrea Dandolo |
| Succeeded by | Giovanni Gradenigo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1274 Venice, Venetian Republic |
| Died | 17 April 1355 (aged 81) Venice, Venetian Republic |
| Spouses | Tommasina Contarini Alvica Gradenigo |
| Children | 2 |
| Profession | Patrician, statesman |
Marino Faliero (born 1274 – died 17 April 1355) was an important leader in Venice, Italy. He became the 55th Doge of Venice on 11 September 1354. A Doge was like the chief ruler or duke of the Republic of Venice.
Sometimes people called him Marin Falier. He was put to death because he tried to take over the government.
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Early Life and Public Service
Marino Faliero was the son of Iacopo Marin and Beriola Loredan. He had an uncle with the same name, which can sometimes be confusing.
In 1315, Faliero was one of the three leaders of the Council of Ten. This was a powerful group that helped keep order in Venice. He helped punish people who caused trouble in 1310. Faliero stayed on this council until 1320. He often held important roles within it.
Faliero also served Venice in other ways. In 1323, he became a captain and governor in a place called Negroponte. He returned to Venice in 1326 to join the Council of Ten again. The next year, he went to Bologna to help solve a problem Venice had with a religious group.
Later, in 1333, he became a captain of ships that sailed the "Major Sea" and to Constantinople. He protected merchants traveling to Tanais in the Black Sea. In 1352, Faliero was a diplomat. He met with the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander to deliver a letter from the Doge.
Becoming Doge of Venice
Faliero was a skilled naval and military leader. He also worked as a diplomat. Because of his experience, he was chosen to be the next Doge after Andrea Dandolo. He found out he was elected while on a trip to the Pope's court in Avignon.
At this time, many people in Venice were unhappy. They blamed the rich ruling families for a recent naval defeat. This loss happened in 1354 during a war with the city of Genoa.
Faliero's Plan to Take Power
Just a few months after becoming Doge, Faliero tried to take more power for himself. This happened in April 1355. He wanted to take control away from the powerful ruling families, also known as aristocrats.
Some stories say this happened because someone insulted Faliero's second wife, Aluycia Gradenigo. But historians also think Faliero might have wanted to rule Venice completely, like a king. This was a common idea in other Italian cities at the time.
Faliero's plan was to kill the main ruling families on April 15. Then, he would declare himself the absolute ruler of Venice. However, his plan was not well organized. Some people involved in the plot told others about it. The Council of Ten quickly found out. They arrested the main plotters and put guards all over the city.
Many of the people who helped Faliero were put to death. Others were sent to prison. Faliero admitted he was guilty. He was executed on April 17, 1355.
Legacy and Memory
After his death, the Venetian government tried to erase Marino Faliero from history. This was called damnatio memoriae. His portrait in the Doge's Palace was removed. A black cloth was painted in its place. You can still see this black cloth today. On it, a Latin message says: "This is the space for Marino Faliero, beheaded for his crimes."
Marino Faliero's story became famous. Many writers and artists were interested in it.
- Lord Byron wrote a play called Marino Faliero, Doge of Venice in 1821.
- Casimir Delavigne wrote another play in 1829.
- Gaetano Donizetti turned Delavigne's play into an opera in 1835.
- The painter Eugène Delacroix created a painting in 1826 based on Lord Byron's play.
These works often focused on the idea that Faliero acted to protect his wife's honor.
His old home, Palazzo Falier, is still in Venice. It is one of the oldest buildings there.
Images for kids
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Marino Faliero, Dux LV by Francisco Pradilla Ortiz (1883, Museo del Prado)
