FRANCESCO

See also:

• MOROSINI

MOROSINI (1618–1694)  was one of the greatest captains of his time . As a young man he fought against the Turks and the pirates, and after signally distinguishing himself at the battle of Naxos in 165o he was appointed commander-inchief of the Venetian navy . He then conducted a series of successful campaigns against the Turks, but was recalled in consequence of the intrigues of his rival the Provveditore Antonio Barbaro (1661) . But when Candia was attacked by a large force, under the terrible vizir Keuprili, Morosini was sent to relieve the fortress in 1667; the siege lasted eighteen months, but Morosini, in spite of his prodigies of valour, was forced to surrender to save the surviving inhabitants . He was tried, but acquitted of all blame, and on the renewal of the war with the Turkish Empire in 1684 he was again appointed commanderin-chief, and after several brilliant victories he reconquered the Peloponnesus and Athens; on his return to Venice he was loaded with honours and given the title of " Peloponnesiaco." In 1688 he was elected doge, and in 1693 he took command of the Venetian forces against the Turks for the fourth time; the enemy which had been cruising in the archipelago withdrew at his approach, so great was the terror inspired by his name . While wintering at Napoli di Romania (Nauplia) he died on the 6th of January 1694 .