MOROSINI, FRANCESCO, Generalissimo and Doge of Venice, was born in that city, of an illustrious family, in 1618. At the age of twenty he signalized himself in an attack upon the pirates that infested the Archipelago. Then began his series of services against the Turkish fleets which raised him gradually and steadily to the highest offices. He was appointed commander of the naval force in 1651, and generalissimo not long afterwards. In this latter capacity
Morpeth he was sent in 1667 to defend the island of Candia against
Morpheus. the Grand Vizier Coprogli. For twenty-eight months his
skill, prudence, and valour repulsed the overwhelming
hordes of the Turks, and rendered the siege renowned
throughout Europe. At length, when his force had been
wasted and weakened by pestilence and the repeated on-
slaughts of the enemy, he accepted honourable terms of
capitulation. This treaty, concluded without the authority
of the senate, was the cause of his arraignment on his
return to Venice in 1669. His honour, however, was
triumphantly vindicated; and on the renewal of the Turkish
war in 1684 he was appointed generalissimo for the third
time. He captured the island of Santa Maura at the end
of sixteen days, and subdued the Peloponnesus after two
campaigns. Landing at the Piræus, he took Athens, but
not until the Parthenon had been partially destroyed by
the explosion of a powder-magazine. Such signal success
raised him to the highest honours in his native republic.
The title of Peloponnesiacus was added to his name; his
statue was erected in the hall of the Council of Ten; he
was elected Doge in 1688; and he was welcomed to Venice
in 1689 by the acclamations of the assembled populace. A
decree of the Senate created him generalissimo for the
fourth time. In 1693 he once more led the fleet of the
republic against the Turks. The enemy retired before
him; and ere he had an opportunity of winning fresh laurels,
he died at Nauplia in January 1694. His remains were
interred at Venice, in the church of San Stefano. The Life
of Francesco Morosini was written by Graziani, in 4to,
Padua, 1698; and by Arrighi, in 4to, Padua, 1749.