DOGE, the chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa.
This dignity is elective in both places; at Venice it continues for life; at Genoa, it is only for two years. His title is Serenity: he is chief of the council, and mouth of the republic, he being to answer for her. The Venetians do not go into mourning at his death, being only the phantom of majesty, as all the authority is vested in the republic; the doge only lends his name to the senate; the power is diffused through the whole body; though answers to foreign ambassadors, &c. are made in the name of the doge. The money is struck in his name, but does not bear his arms. All the magistrates rise and salute him when he comes into the council: but he rises to none but foreign ambassadors. He must not stir out of Venice, without leave of the counsellors, &c.