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Emilio Barbarigo (1421 - 11 September 1485) was a Venetian merchant and tyrant of Venice, and secretly a member of the Templar Order.
Emilio was a member of the powerful Barbarigo family based in Venice. He was somehow related to Marco Barbarigo, Silvio Barbarigo, and Agostino Barbarigo.
Biography
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.[src]
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.[1]
Emilio also provided weapons to the other Templars in Florence and funded the city guard entirely by himself. He lived in a large palace, called the Palazzo della Seta, which was heavily guarded with iron gates, archers, and brutes.[1]
Meeting in Tuscany
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.[1]
During this meeting, Jacopo talked about his failure in the plot to kill the Medici with Rodrigo and Emilio.
Jacopo attempted to blame Emilio, claiming he did not supply them with quality weapons. However, Rodrigo 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.[1]
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 Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who had tailed Jacopo to the meeting and had been spying on the Templars. Rodrigo had his guards seize Ezio, and told them to kill the Assassin. After this, both Rodrigo and Emilio departed from the theater.[1]
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.[src]
On 11 September 1485, Emilio met with fellow Templar and member of the Council of Ten, Carlo Grimaldi, at the former's palazzo. Carlo informed him that Ezio Auditore was targeting him, and that he should stay vigilant. Carlo also told Emilio of a meeting that was to take place three days from then at Santo Stefano. Before leaving, Carlo advised Emilio to leave Seta and reside somewhere less conspicuous.[1]
After his meeting with Carlo, Emilio ordered one of his men to fetch his boat and then to begin loading it when it had arrived. While waiting for his boat, Emilio wandered around the interior courtyard of his palazzo, muttering statements of paranoia to himself. During Emilio's frantic patrol, Ezio managed to make his way into the courtyard, but not before being spotted by the merchant.[1]
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 also that this progress demanded sacrifice. Emilio then perished, and Ezio prepared himself to fight Emilio's guards.[1]
Personality and characteristics
Emilio was a sadistic yet scared man who took pride in his accomplishments. After learning of Ezio Auditore's presence in Venice, he claimed that he had worked too hard to be assassinated in his own home. He also was defensive of his beliefs, telling Carlo Grimaldi that his home was a fortress, and that Ezio would not be able to assassinate him.[1]
Emilio was also critical and argumentative with his fellow Templars, calling Jacopo de' Pazzi a coward and blaming him for their failure in Florence. He also argued with Carlo, even when the latter was attempting to help him.[1]
However, he was also anxious and paranoid when threatened, screaming for his guards once he realized Ezio had invaded his home. He was also scared of Ezio specifically, and began to run upon catching sight of the Assassin.[1]
In terms of appearance, Emilio dressed as a member of Venetian nobility, wearing an orante hat on his head. He also wore a large set of bluish-green and yellow robes that extended from his neck to his ankles. On the back of this outfit was a thin dark cape to match his robes, and extended to his knee level.[1]
Final words
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 Barbarigo's portrait in the Villa Auditore says that he died in 1484, when in fact he died in 1485.
- There is a portrait of Emilio in Ezio's Florentine villa in Assassin's Creed: Embers.
Gallery
-
Emilio observing Jacopo attempting to reason. -
Emilio with Rodrigo Borgia. -
Ezio assassinating Emilio.
References