Origins & Early Life

Enrico Dandolo (Anglicised as Henry Dandolo, and Latinised as Henricus Dandulus; c. 1107 – May/June 1205) was the doge of Venice from 1192 until his death in 1205. He is remembered for his avowed piety, remarkable longevity, and political shrewdness, particularly for his decisive role in the Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople, which effectively laid the foundations of the Venetian colonial empire. For his services, he was granted the Byzantine-derived title of Despot by the newly established Latin Empire.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Dandolo died in 1205 in Constantinople and was buried at the Hagia Sophia. Born in Venice c. 1107, Enrico Dandolo was a member of the socially and politically prominent Dandolo family. He was the son of the powerful jurist and member of the ducal court, Vitale Dandolo, and had two brothers: Andrea and Giovanni. His uncle, also named Enrico Dandolo, was patriarch of Grado.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Not much information exists on the younger Enrico before his father's death in 1174. This is because Vitale lived into his nineties and his sons were not emancipated until he died. Though Enrico was himself an elderly man at around 67, he was still...

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