Marco Barbarigo (1413 - 1486) was a member of the Knights Templar and became the Doge of Venice in 1486. He was the cousin of Silvio Barbarigo, brother to Agostino Barbarigo, and is related to Emilio Barbarigo somehow but it is unknown how. Belonging to a rich and powerful family of nobility, Marco was a tyrant who was used to getting his own way by any means.
Once a friend of his bodyguard and attendant, Dante Moro, Marco became attracted to Moro's wife Carlotta and orchestrated an attempt on his former friend's life. Dante escaped his killers, but his wounds left his brain damaged. Marco made Dante renounce his marriage and afterwards he married Carlotta.[2]
Becoming a Templar Doge
Like most of the Barbarigo family, Marco became involved with "the Spaniard" Rodrigo Borgia and his plot to take over the Venetian government. In 1485, after the assassination of his relative Emilio Barbarigo, Marco, Dante Moro, Silvio Barbarigo and Carlo Grimaldi met with Rodrigo Borgia
to plan the assassination of Doge Giovanni Mocenigo. Unbeknownst to them, the AssassinEzio Auditore da Firenze eavesdropped on the meeting and discovered the Barbarigos' allegiance. After the death of Doge Mocenigo, Marco was appointed the new Doge, and declared Ezio an enemy of Venice for the murder of Giovanni Mocenigo.
Death
Marco spent most of his time hidden in the Palazzo Ducale, never to come out. However, Ezio managed to infiltrate Marco's private Carnevale party. When Marco finally showed up on his boat to deliver a speech, Ezio took his chance to assassinate Marco, after which Marco's brother Agostino Barbarigo would later become Doge.
Final Words
Marco: No, it's too soon. I'm not ready.
Ezio: We rarely are. Che la morte non sia crudele. (Death be not unkind.) Requiescat in pace. (Rest in peace.)
