The first book of the Chronicon Altinate — which is by an unknown author, of an unknown date — contains a list of the early doges of Venice.

The oldest part of the list is no doubt taken from the Istoria Veneticorum by John the Deacon, in particular from the initial chapters of book II, with some changes to the length of the reign of Marcello, to somehow get the chronology to work better.

The list is in the typical medieval form, giving just the order and the length of each reign. The actual years only appear in the Chronica per extensum descripta by Andrea Dandolo, which is where the traditional list of doges originates.

The Chronicon Altinate has several editions, with slight differences between them, and the excerpt below comes to us in two versions, which are both reproduced.

Source: Chronicon Altinate, also called the Origo civitatum Italie seu Venetiarum, translated by René Seindal. The original texts come from Cessi (1933)

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Book 1 — editio prima (excerpt)

Duke Paulicius¹ ruled for 20 years, 6 months, and 9 days.
Duke Marcellus² ruled for 9 years and 21 days.
Duke Ursus ruled for 11 years and 5 months.
After the death of Duke Ursus,³ there were no dukes in Venice for 6 years, but the Master of Soldiers⁴ judged matters, that is, Lord Leo,⁵ Master of Soldiers served for 1 year; Felix,⁶ Master of Soldiers served for 1 year; Deusdedi,⁷ Master of Soldiers served for 2 years; Julian,⁸ Hypatus,⁹ Master of Soldiers served for 1 year; Johannes Fabriacus,¹⁰ Master of Soldiers served for 1 year.

Click to reveal the Latin text

Paulicius dux ducavit annos .xx. et menses .vi. et dies .viiii.
Marcellus dux ducavit annos .viiii. dies .xxi.
Ursus dux ducavit annos .xi. et menses .v.
Post interfectionem Ursi duci in annos .vi. non fuerunt duces in Venecia, sed magister militum earn iudicabat, id est domnus Leo magister militum sedit anno .i. ; Felix magister militum sedit ann. .1. ; Deusdedi [magister militum sedit] ann. .ii. ; Iulianus ypatus [magister militum sedit] ann. .i.; Iohannes Fabriacus [magister militum sedit] ann. .i.

Book 1 — editio terzo (excerpt)

Duke Paulicius ruled for 20 years, 6 months, 9 days.
Duke Marcellus ruled for 9 years, 16 days.
Duke Ursus ruled for 11 years, 5 months.
After his death, there were no dukes in Venice for 6 years, but the master of the soldiers was already judging, so the first Dominic Leo, master of the soldiers, sat for one year. Felix, master of the soldiers, sat for 1 year. Deusdedit, master of the soldiers, sat for 2 years. Iubianus Ypatus, master of the soldiers, sat for 1 year. Johannes Fabriacus, master of the soldiers, sat for 1 year.

Click to reveal the Latin text

Paulicius dux ducavit annos .xx., mens. .vi., dies .viiii.
Marcellus dux ducavit annos .viiii., dies .xvi.
Ursus dux ducavit annos .xi., mens. .v.
Post huius interfectionem per annos .vi. non fuerunt duces in Venecia, sed magister militum iam iudicabat, et ideo primus
Dominicus Leo magister militum sedit annum unum.
Felix magister militum sedit ann. .i.
Deusdedit magister militum sedit ann. .ii.
Iubianus ypatus magister militum sedit ann. .i.
Iohannes Fabriacus magister militum sedit ann. .i.

Notes

1. Paoluccio Anafesto (also Paulucius Anafestus or Paulicio) was the first doge of Venice, nominally from 697 to 717, but the years are uncertain, as is his real identity. ↩︎
2. Marcello Tegalliano (†726) was, according to tradition, the 2nd doge of Venice from 717 to his death in 726, but very little is known about him. ↩︎
3. Orso Ipato (†737) (also Ursus Hypatos) was the 3rd doge of Venice, and probably the first to be chosen by the Venetians. He was killed in an internal struggle between Heraclia and Equilus in 737. ↩︎
4. Magister militum (master of soldiers) was a Roman and Byzantine title for a provincial or local military commander, who often had civil duties too. ↩︎
5. Leone (or Leo) was the first magister militum (master of the soldiers), serving one year in 737. Otherwise, nothing is known about him. ↩︎
6. Felice Carnicola (or Felix) was the second magister militum (master of the soldiers), serving one year in 738. Otherwise, nothing is known about him. ↩︎
7. Teodato Ipato (†755) (also Deusdatus or Diodato) was the 4th doge of Venice, from 742 to 755, and son of Orso Ipato. He also served at the third magister militum in 739. ↩︎
8. Giuliano (or Iubianus) was the fourth magister militum (master of the soldiers), serving one year in 740. Otherwise, nothing is known about him. ↩︎
9. Hypatos (also: Latinised as hypatus or ypatus, or Italian ipato) was a Byzantine court title, meaning consul, derived from the late Roman honorary consulship. ↩︎
10. Giovanni Fabriciaco (or Iohannes Fabriacusx) was the fifth and last magister militum (master of the soldiers), serving one year in 741. He was deposed, blinded and exiled during a riot. ↩︎

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