10 Facts About Maurizio Galbaio

Maurizio Galbaio was the seventh traditional, but fifth historical, Doge of Venice from 764 to his death.

Maurizio Galbaio is considered to be the first great doge, who reigned for 22 years and set Venice on its path to independence and success.

Maurizio Galbaio's election took place without disputes, and he was raised to the dogeship in Malamocco in 764.

Maurizio Galbaio was raised to the dogeship at a time when two tribunes were being elected annually to check the power of the doge.

Maurizio Galbaio's predecessor had been from a pro-Lombard faction, but Maurizio was a wealthy man from pro-Byzantine Heraclea.

Maurizio Galbaio opposed both the strong republican faction, which supported moving towards de facto independence, and the pro-Frankish and pro-Lombard factions.

Maurizio Galbaio received the titles of magister militum and hypatos from the Emperor Leo IV.

Maurizio Galbaio then made the first of many subsequent attempts to create a hereditary dogeship when, in 778, he had his son made a second doge.

Maurizio Galbaio obtained the consent of the emperor of the East for this last act.

The low point of Maurizio Galbaio's reign was the expulsion from the Pentapolis of Venetian traders for trading in slaves and eunuchs.