Dandolo

Dandolo, Henrico, Doge of Venice, was elected to that office when in his 84th year, having previously been sent as ambassador to Constantinople in the year 1173, where he was imprisoned by order of the Emperor. On his return he prosecuted with energy the war with the Pisans, and in 1201 at their earnest request placed himself at the head of the Crusaders, and, after reducing Trieste and Zara, in 1203 captured Constantinople. On the murder of the Emperor Alexius the following year, he again laid siege to and carried that capital by storm, and established Count Baldwin on the throne. During his term of office, owing to his exceptional abilities both as a statesman and a general, the dominion of Venice was widely extended. He died in 1205.