Domenico Flabanico

Domenico Flabanico (died 1043) was the 29th Doge of Venice. Coming from a family that did not hold public office, Flabanico would work his way up to be a wealthy merchant trading in silk before becoming doge.

Before Flabanico took office, there was significant chaos in Venice. His predecessor had abdicated the position of Doge following extensive public pressure to reinstate Otto Orseolo, but when it was found out that Otto Orseolo was dying, Domenico Orseolo, Otto's less popular relative, attempted to seize the dogeship. There was public outcry in Republic of Venice regarding the apparent onset of a nepotistic hereditary monarchy. Flabanico, being a successful merchant and a popular individual, but less than noble, was elected to spite the notion that royal blood was required for the position.

Under Flabanico, new laws to limit the powers of the Doge against creating a hereditary monarchy were passed. The practice of appointing co-doges who in effect often became successors was forbidden. From 1032 onwards, the office of the doge would be elected along with the newly created Ducal Council. This council would ensure that the doge could not build absolute power and was seen as a balancing force against the doge. Flabanico would be the first doge elected alongside the council.

Venice went through a period of infighting and decline. Flabanico struggled to maintain the diplomatic relationships that were necessary for adequate foreign policy. The economy of the Venice also suffered under his leadership. Under his successor, Domenico Contarini, the Republic was restored to a new era of prosperity. His reign lasted from the abdication of Pietro Barbolano in 1032 until his death. He died in 1043, at the end of more than a decade of rule.