ALVIANO, BARTHOLOMEW, a Venetian gene-
ral, flourished in the beginning of the 16th century.
His talents were well calculated for the conduct of mi-
litary affairs, and in an early part of his life, raised
him to great reputation. In the year 1508, he gained
such signal victories over the emperor Maximilian, that
he was decreed triumphal honours by the republic.
During the famous league of Venice, he was second
in command along with Count Pitigiano. It was,
however, unfavourable to the cause in which they had
engaged, that the tempers of the two commanders
were very different. The commander in chief was he-
sitating and cautious; the other was bold and intrepid.
Alviano commanded the rear-guard at the famous
battle of Aignadel, and after displaying the greatest
exertions of valour, was wounded, overpowered, and
at last taken prisoner. An increasing tribute was paid
to the military talents of Alviano; for after the Ve-
netians had become the allies of France, he was in-
trusted with the command of their army. When the
emperor attacked Padua, he defended it against him,
and displayed numerous acts of valour in repulsing the
imperial troops. But the current of human life runs
unequally smooth on its attendance upon any character;
for he lost the great battle of La Motte, in which,
however, his exertions were so conspicuous, that the
senate gave him the most honourable assurance of the
continuance of their esteem. Fortune, however, soon
became propitious to this great man, and he defeated
the enemy in Friuli. In the desperate battle of Marig-
nano, he afforded such timely aid to Francis I. that
it greatly contributed to his success. But the most vi-
gorous
Alum. gorous constitution must one day yield to the force of constant exertions, and the most incessant fatigue; he had incurred such hardships in superintending the works at the siege of Brescia, that he was seized with a fever, of which he died at the advanced age of sixty. His character stands high in the annals of military fame. By a strict observance of discipline, and a profuse liberality to his soldiers, he secured their esteem. As an unequivocal proof of this, they kept his body unburied twenty-five days, carrying it about with them during their marches, with all funeral pomp. His loss was deeply regretted by the state, and, as a proof thereof, his body was buried at the public charge, his unprovided family was supported by a liberal pension, and his daughters were portioned by the state. (Gen. Bio.)