Faliero, Marino

Faliero or Falier, Marino (märē`nō fälyā`rō, fälyār`), 1274–1355, doge of Venice (1354–55). As commander of Venetian forces he defeated (1346) Louis I of Hungary at Zara, and later he held high diplomatic posts. Soon after his election as doge, the Genoese triumphed over the Venetians. The new doge, at odds with patricians who had insulted his family, joined dissatisfied plebeians in a conspiracy to assassinate the nobles, overthrow the oligarchy, and make Faliero dictator. The plot was discovered; Faliero and his accomplices, tried by the Council of Ten (see Ten, Council of), were executed. Faliero's life has inspired works by Byron, Swinburne, Delavigne, Delacroix, and Donizetti.