Morosini family: Difference between revisions

* '''[[Giovan Francesco Morosini (patriarch)|Giovan Francesco Morosini]]''' (1604–1678) was [[Patriarchate of Venice|Patriarch of Venice]] from 1644 to his death.

* '''[[Francesco Morosini]]''' (1618–1694) was a prominent Venetian sea captain of his time. As a young man, he fought against the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman Turks]] and the pirates, and after signally distinguishing himself at the [[Battle of Naxos (1650)|Battle of Naxos]] in 1650, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Venetian navy. He then conducted a series of successful campaigns against the Turks, but was recalled in consequence of the intrigues of his rival the ''provveditore'' [[Antonio Barbaro]] (1661). But when [[Heraklion|Candia]] was [[Siege of Candia|attacked by a large force]] under the fierce [[Grand Vizier]] [[Köprülü Fazıl Ahmet Pasha|Köprülü]], Morosini was sent to relieve the fortress in 1667; the siege lasted eighteen months, but Morosini, in spite of his prodigies of valor, was forced to surrender to save the surviving inhabitants. He was tried, but acquitted of all blame, and on the [[Morean War|renewal of the war]] with the Turkish Empire in 1684, he was again appointed commander-in-chief, and after several brilliant victories, he reconquered the [[Peloponnese]] and [[Athens]]. During the siege of Athens, shells from Morosini's bombardment irreparably damaged the [[Parthenon]]. Upon his return to Venice, he was loaded with honors and given the title of '''Peloponnesiaco'''. In 1688, he was elected ''doge'', and in 1693 he took command of the Venetian forces against the Turks for the fourth time; the enemy which had been cruising in the [[Aegean archipelago]] withdrew at his approach, so great was the terror inspired by his name. While wintering at Napoli di Romania ([[Nauplia]]), he died on 6 January 1694.

 

==See also==