Doge, << dohj >>, was the title of the rulers of Venice from 697 to 1797. Doge comes from the Latin word dux, meaning leader. Genoa also had doges.
The doges of Venice were elected for life from among the richest and most powerful families. They enjoyed almost absolute power in governmental, military, and church affairs until 1032. After that time, the people limited the doges’ power by surrounding them with officials who could overrule them. In 1797, French troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte occupied Venice. Napoleon abolished the office of doge.
