Contarini

Contarini (kōntärē'nē) [key], ancient Venetian family, including eight doges, a cardinal, and several artists. The most celebrated member was Andrea Contarini,. 1300?–1382. He was doge (1368–82) at the time of the War of Chioggia between Venice and Genoa; he proved his patriotism by melting his gold and silver plate and mortgaging his lands to raise money for the state.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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