Orio Mastro Pietro 40th Venetian Doge. Country: Italy

Content:

1. Orio Mastropietro: The 40th Venetian Doge
2. Election to the Dogeship
3. Reign
4. Diplomacy and Recuperation
5. Abdication and Legacy

Orio Mastropietro: The 40th Venetian Doge

Early Life and Career

Orio Mastropietro, also known as Orio Malipiero, was the 40th Doge of Venice. Born in the late 11th century, he was renowned as the wealthiest Venetian of his time, offering substantial loans to the republic during financial crises. Mastropietro held various prominent positions throughout his career, including ambassador to Constantinople, judge, and papal envoy in negotiations between Pope Alexander III and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

Election to the Dogeship

Following the death of Doge Vitale II Michiel in 1172, Mastropietro was nominated as his successor but declined due to his youth. Doge Sebastiano Ziani subsequently altered the electoral process, and upon his passing, Orio Mastropietro became the first Doge elected by the Committee of Forty.

Reign

Mastropietro's reign was marked by significant challenges in foreign policy. The Byzantine Empire, under Emperor Andronikos I, persecuted Venetian merchants in its territories, prompting reprisals from Venice. Venetian trading outposts were destroyed, and many merchants and settlers were killed. In addition, Venetian forces struggled against the Hungarian kings, who captured Zara and expanded their control in Dalmatia.

Diplomacy and Recuperation

Despite these setbacks, Venice received some respite during the reign of William II of Sicily, who launched an expedition against Greece. Moreover, after Andronikos I's death in 1185, his successor Isaac II sought negotiations with Venice. The subsequent negotiations, led by Doge Enrico Dandolo, resulted in substantial compensation and trade privileges for Venice.

Abdication and Legacy

In 1192, burdened by the weight of state affairs, Mastropietro abdicated from the Dogeship. He retired to San Giorgio Monastery, where he passed away later that year. His tomb remains unknown. Orio Mastropietro's reign marked a transition in Venetian politics, with the formalization of the Dogeship's electoral process. Despite facing adversity, he remained a steadfast supporter of the Venetian Republic throughout his life.

Religious figure

Joachim II	Gregory II	Alfonso Capecelatro
Charles Taze Russell	Andrey Cesariyskiy	John Newman