Dan'dolo

Dan'dolo, a famous Venetian family, which gave four doges to the republic. The most illustrious of its members was Enrico, born about 1110 or 1115 A.D. Eminent in learning, eloquence, and knowledge of affairs, he ascended from one step to another, until, in 1173, he was sent as ambassador to Constantinople, and in 1192 was elected doge. In this latter capacity he extended the bounds of the republic in Istria and Dalmatia, defeated the Pisans, and, in 1201, marched at the head of the crusaders. He subdued Trieste and Zara, the coasts of Albania, the Ionian Islands, and Constantinople, 17th July 1203. When the Emperor Alexius was murdered by his own subjects, Dan'dolo laid siege to Constantinople, and took it by storm, 13th April 1204. He established there the empire of the Latins, and caused Count Baldwin of Flanders to be chosen emperor. By his exertions Venice obtained possession of several Greek islands and large territories in Greece. Dan'dolo died at Constantinople, 1st June 1205. See CRUSADES, VENICE.—Giovanni Dan'dolo was doge, 1280-89; Francesco, 1328-39; Andrea, 1342-54.