Doge facts for kids

Doge (plural dogi or doges) is a word of an Italian dialect that comes from the Latin dux (as does the English duke and the standard Italian duce), that means "leader", especially in a military context.

The title of doge was used for the elected head of state in a number of Italian "crowned republics". The two best known such republics were Venice and Genoa, which had maritime, commercial, and territorial mini-empires. Sometimes the Doge ruled for life; sometimes for a fixed number of years.

Images for kids

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  Leonardo Loredan (1501), Doge of Venice, portrait by Giovanni Bellini, wearing the corno ducale, the ducal hat which symbolised his office.

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  The Doge of Venice, illustrated in the manuscript "Théâtre de tous les peuples et nations de la terre avec leurs habits et ornemens divers, tant anciens que modernes, diligemment depeints au naturel". Painted by Lucas d'Heere in the 2nd half of the 16th century. Preserved by the Ghent University Library.

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  Francesco Foscari, Doge of Venice (1423–1457) by Lazzaro Bastiani

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  Portrait of Giovanni Mocenigo, Doge of Venice (1478–1485) by Gentile Bellini

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  Pasquale Malipiero, Doge of Venice (1457–1462) by Gentile Bellini

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  Marino Grimani, Doge of Venice (1532–1560) by Domenico Tintoretto

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  Francesco Erizzo, Doge of Venice (1631-1646) by Bernardo Strozzi

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  Agostino Pallavicini, Doge of Genoa (1637-1639) by Anthony van Dyck

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  Simone Spinola, Doge of Genoa (1567–1569)

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  Luca Giustiniani, Doge of Genoa (1644–1646) by Jan Hovaert

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  Francesco Maria Imperiale, Doge of Genoa (1711-1713) by Giovanni Maria delle Piane

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  Michelangelo Cambiaso, Doge of Genoa (1791-1793) by Anton von Maron

See also

In Spanish: Dux para niños