Orio Mastropiero

Orio Mastropiero, sometimes referred to as Aurio Malipiero, was a prominent Venetian statesman who ascended to the role of Doge of Venice in the year 1178, following the retirement of Sebastiano Ziani. His political career began earlier when he served as an ambassador to Sicily in 1175, where he was instrumental in negotiating a treaty with King William II.

Despite being the preferred candidate for doge after the death of Vitale II Michiel in 1172, Mastropiero chose to step aside in favor of the more experienced Ziani. His tenure as doge, lasting until his abdication in 1192, was marked by a few notable events, including a revolt in Zara that was supported by King Béla III of Hungary. Initially, Venice remained passive due to financial constraints, but by 1187 or 1188, Mastropiero took decisive action by launching a siege against the Zaratines after securing loans from the Venetian nobility.

However, this military endeavor was short-lived, as Pope Gregory VIII intervened, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in light of the impending Third Crusade, which required the mobilization of Christian soldiers. In May of 1192, after falling ill, Mastropiero made the decision to abdicate and retire to the monastery of San Croce, where he ultimately passed away on 13 June 1192.