Venice in the Middle Ages

Fundation

421

421: 25 March (Friday) – Venice is founded, according to legend, with the establishment of a trading-post on the islands of the Rialto and a church dedicated to St. James by three consuls from Padua

First doge

Feb 14, 697

Paolo Lucio Anafesto (697–717) first doge , dependent on the Exarchate of Ravenna

Early Middle Ages

Feb 14, 803

The successors of Obelerio inherited a united Venice. By the Pax Nicephori (803-814), the two emperors had recognised that Venice belonged to the Byzantine sphere of influence. Many centuries later, the Venetians claimed that the treaty had recognised Venetian de facto independence, but the truth of this claim is doubted by modern scholars

Obelerio Antenoreo

Feb 14, 804

Obelerio Antenoreo (804–811) exiled, attempted to return to power, killed & head displayed in the market

Pietro IV Candiano

Feb 14, 959

Pietro IV Candiano (959–976) people of Venice locked him in palace with son while it burned

Pietro Barbolano

Feb 14, 1026

Pietro Barbolano (1026–1032) abdicated under heavy pressure to reinstate Otto Orseolo

High Middle Ages

Feb 14, 1084

In the High Middle Ages, Venice became extremely wealthy through its control of trade between Europe and the Levant, and it began to expand into the Adriatic Sea and beyond. In 1084, Domenico Selvo personally led a fleet against the Normans, but he was defeated and lost nine great galleys, the largest and most heavily armed ships in the Venetian war fleet. Venice was involved in the Crusades almost from the very beginning.

Marino Faliero

Feb 14, 1354

Marino Faliero (1354–1355) – convicted of treason, executed and condemned to damnatio memoriae

Marino Faliero

Feb 14, 1354

Marino Faliero (1354–1355) – convicted of treason, executed and condemned to damnatio memoriae

Francesco Foscari

Feb 14, 1423

Francesco Foscari (1423–1457) – forced to abdicate by the Council of Ten