Emilio Barbarigo

Emilio Barbarigo (1421 - 11 September 1485) was a Venetian merchant and tyrant of Venice, and secretly a member of the Templar Order.

Biography

Early life

Emilio rose to power through support from his powerful family, the Barbarigo. He then cornered the market by edging out his competition and managing to lobby the government. He later funded the entire Venetian police force, which kept his finances tax-free. With the new police force, Emilio kept the streets safe from crime and managed to eliminate any opposition or competition.

Meeting in Tuscany

Emilio with Rodrigo Borgia at the meeting.

In 1480, Emilio attended a meeting within an outdoor Roman theater in Tuscany organized and conducted by Templar Grand Master Rodrigo Borgia. The gathering included various other Templars, and one of the Pazzi conspirators, Jacopo de' Pazzi.

However, the Assassin Ezio Auditore learned of this meeting, and tailed Jacopo to the theater. Once Ezio had reached the meeting, he hid near a large column at the back of the theater, and eavesdropped.

During the meeting, Jacopo talked about his failure in the plot to kill the Medici in Florence with Rodrigo and Emilio. Jacopo attempted to blame Emilio, claiming he did not supply them with quality weapons.

However, Rodrigo soon intervened, shouting at Jacopo, and eventually stabbing him with a stiletto. Jacopo then pleaded to be spared, before Emilio shoved him to the ground, laughing sadistically.

With Jacopo injured on the stage floor, Rodrigo brandished his blade, and thrust it through Jacopo's neck. Cleaning off his bloodied blade, Rodrigo called out to the Ezio, and had his guards seize the Assassin. Rodrigo told them to kill Ezio, before both he and Emilio departed from the theater.

Merchant of Venice

"He is attempting to unify the merchants beneath a single banner. There's been resistance, some of it violent."

―Alvise da Vilandino speaking about Emilio's attempts to unify the merchants.

By 1481 in Venice, Emilio had taken control of San Polo, the mercantile district, and was ruling it with an iron fist. He charged the merchants there rent, and even had his guards destroy their stand if it was not paid promptly. He also had his guards patrol there often, to ensure the district remained under his control.

He also provided weapons to the other Templars in Florence, and was able to maintain a large role in Templar affairs.

Antonio's thieves replacing Emilio's archers stationed around Seta.

He resided in a large palace within San Polo, called the Palazzo della Seta, which was heavily guarded with a large iron fence, vigilant archers, and fierce brutes.

His oppression over the district attracted the attention of the Venetian Thieves Guild which was based in the district. The thieves, led by Antonio de Magianis, then allied themselves with Ezio and began to work with the Assassin for four years to end Emilio's tyranny. The allies freed their captured men, killed the traitorous thieves who had been bribed by Emilio, and acquired the armor of Emilio's archers. Eventually, on 11 September 1485, when the thieves believed it was time to strike, Ezio made his way onto the rooftops of Seta, and began to observe his target.

Death

Carlo: "Your little house of cards is crumbling, Emilio."

Emilio: "A minor setback. It will be dealt with. This povero scemo Antonio and his thieves..."

Carlo: "Never mind them! It's the Assassin you should be worried about!"

—Emilio and Carlo discuss the Assassin presence in Venice.

Carlo warning Emilio.

Spying on the meeting, Ezio noticed Emilio meeting with fellow Templar and member of the Council of Ten, Carlo Grimaldi. During their discussion, Carlo informed Emilio that Ezio was targeting him, and that he should stay vigilant of the Assassin. Carlo also told Emilio of a meeting that was to take place three days from then at Santo Stefano, which had been organized by Rodrigo. Before leaving, Carlo advised Emilio to leave Seta and reside somewhere less conspicuous.

After his meeting with Carlo, Emilio ordered one of his men to fetch his boat and to begin loading it when it had arrived. While waiting for his boat, Emilio wandered around the interior courtyard of his palazzo, muttering paranoid statements of reassurance to himself. During Emilio's frantic patrol, Ezio managed to make his way into the courtyard, but not before being spotted by the merchant.

Upon seeing Ezio, Emilio began to run and called for his guards furiously. Despite his attempt to flee though, Ezio caught up to Emilio, and assassinated him with his hidden blade. During his final moments, Emilio claimed that he had sought unity, stability, and order, but that this progress demanded sacrifice. Emilio then perished, and Ezio prepared himself to fight Emilio's guards.

Personality and characteristics

Guard: "You were told to stay home!"

Merchant: "But the rent is paid! I have every right to sell here!"

Guard: "Emilio disagrees!"

—A guard destroys a merchant's stand by order of Emilio.

An injured Jacopo pleads for his life to Emilio.

Emilio was an oppressive and demanding man, making sure the merchants in San Polo paid him rent. When they did not, however, he had their stands destroyed. He also was a man who took pride in his accomplishments and success, claiming he had worked too hard to be defeated by Ezio and the Assassins.

Emilio was also critical and argumentative with his fellow Templars, often blaming them, rather than himself, when plans failed. He called Jacopo de' Pazzi a coward at their Tuscan meeting, and blamed him for their failure in Florence, though Jacopo had a minor role in the conspiracy. He also argued with fellow Templar Carlo Grimaldi, even when Carlo was attempting to warn him.

In terms of attire, Emilio dressed as a member of Venetian nobility, wearing a large set of bluish-green and yellow robes that extended from his neck to his ankles. He also wore an orante hat on his head, symbolizing his wealth. On the back of his outfit hung a thin dark cape to match his robes, which extended to his knee level.

Final words

Emilio's last moments.

• Ezio: "Do not be afraid."
• Emilio: "I feel no fear, Assassin. Only regret. I sought unity. Stability. Order."
• Ezio: "At too great a cost."
• Emilio: "Progress demands sacrifice."
• Ezio: "Non trovo alcuna gioia in questo, ma non c'è altro modo. (I take no joy in this, but I see no other way.) Requiescat in pace. (Rest in peace.)"

Trivia

• Emilio's portrait in the Villa Auditore says that he died in 1484, when in fact he died in 1485.
• There is a portrait of him in Ezio's Florentine villa in Assassin's Creed: Embers.

Gallery

• 
  Emilio observing Jacopo attempting to reason.
• 
  Ezio assassinating Emilio.
• A portrait of Emilio.
  A portrait of Emilio.

Source

• Assassin's Creed II

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