DOGE

name of chief official in republics of Genoa and Venice. About 700 A.D. the office was created in Venice. The d. held office for life, and frequent attempts were made to make the office hereditary. Gradually the people le ened the power of the d., and by the XIII. cent. the office was practically nominal; the real government was oligarchical. In Genoa the office dates from 1339. The office was abolished in both cities in 1797.