Nothing new under the sun: The Doge of Venice acted as both the head of state and head of the Venetian oligarchy. Doges were elected for life through a complex voting process.

Doge (Venetian Italian for duke) was the highest political position in the Venetian Republic for more than 1,000 years. The name Doge comes from the Latin word “dux,” or leader. Because the doge was always elected, there were never any female doges, or greater role for women to play except as wife.

Laura Bellusci

Northampton