Carlo Ruzzini
Encyclopedia
Carlo Ruzzini was a Venetian diplomat
, statesman
and Doge
.
, the eldest child of wealthy parents, Marco Ruzzini and Caterina Zeno.
By the end of the 17th century the Republic of Venice
was losing ground in its constant diplomatic and military struggle with the Turkish Empire
, so there was great need for diplomats such as Carlo Ruzzini who had both the education and the requisite personal fortune to qualify for the diplomatic service.
Starting his career of public service at 26 running the Venetian Arsenal and dockyard, Carlo Ruzzini became a diplomat and was sent as Ambassador
to Madrid
in 1691. As the ambassador to Wien, in July 1698 he was organizing the visit of the Russian Zar Peter Alexeewitz to Venice, but that tour was failed because of the Streltsy revolt in Moscow. Later Ruzzini represented Venice during the negotiations at Carlowitz
(1698-1699), managing to obtain some advantages for his country. His indecision and fear of making the wrong decision - partly due to his brief and the need to constantly consult the Venetian Council - caused much irritation with the other participants who, therefore, contrived to exclude Venice and him from the more important decisions. This episode however did not stunt his career, as is demonstrated later by his appointment first as Venetian Ambassador in the Hague (1706), to the Turkish Court (1707) and in Vienna
. He was Venice's Ambassador Extraordinary at other important international negotiations such as at Utrecht
in 1712. However, Venice's decline and the fact that its power was now largely restricted to within the Italian border meant that his part was a minor one.
At the conclusion of the last of the wars between Venice and Turkey (1714-1718), Ruzzini represented the Republic during the peace negotiations at Passarowitz
in July. The inherent weakness in Venice's strategic position meant that little was gained and much lost in the negotiations.
After the Treaty of Passarowitz Ruzzini continued his diplomatic career with a second posting to Constantinople before ill health forced him home. However, his wide experience meant he continued to play an important part in the political life of the Republic.
He was a candidate for Doge in 1722 but was beaten by Alvise III Sebastiano Mocenigo
. Ten years later, on Mocenigo's death, Ruzzini was easily elected with 40 votes out of 41.
During his brief reign he achieved little of note but kept Venice neutral and out of further conflicts.
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
, statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
and Doge
Doge of Venice
The Doge of Venice , often mistranslated Duke was the chief magistrate and leader of the Most Serene Republic of Venice for over a thousand years. Doges of Venice were elected for life by the city-state's aristocracy. Commonly the person selected as Doge was the shrewdest elder in the city...
.
Biography
Ruzzini was born in VeniceVenice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, the eldest child of wealthy parents, Marco Ruzzini and Caterina Zeno.
By the end of the 17th century the Republic of Venice
History of the Republic of Venice
The history of the Republic of Venice traditionally begins with its foundation at noon on Friday March 25, 421 by authorities from Padua who hoped to establish a trading-post in the region. This event was marked by the founding of the Venitian church of St. James...
was losing ground in its constant diplomatic and military struggle with the Turkish Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, so there was great need for diplomats such as Carlo Ruzzini who had both the education and the requisite personal fortune to qualify for the diplomatic service.
Starting his career of public service at 26 running the Venetian Arsenal and dockyard, Carlo Ruzzini became a diplomat and was sent as Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
in 1691. As the ambassador to Wien, in July 1698 he was organizing the visit of the Russian Zar Peter Alexeewitz to Venice, but that tour was failed because of the Streltsy revolt in Moscow. Later Ruzzini represented Venice during the negotiations at Carlowitz
Treaty of Karlowitz
The Treaty of Karlowitz was signed on 26 January 1699 in Sremski Karlovci , concluding the Austro-Ottoman War of 1683–1697 in which the Ottoman side had been defeated at the Battle of Zenta...
(1698-1699), managing to obtain some advantages for his country. His indecision and fear of making the wrong decision - partly due to his brief and the need to constantly consult the Venetian Council - caused much irritation with the other participants who, therefore, contrived to exclude Venice and him from the more important decisions. This episode however did not stunt his career, as is demonstrated later by his appointment first as Venetian Ambassador in the Hague (1706), to the Turkish Court (1707) and in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. He was Venice's Ambassador Extraordinary at other important international negotiations such as at Utrecht
Treaty of Utrecht
The Treaty of Utrecht, which established the Peace of Utrecht, comprises a series of individual peace treaties, rather than a single document, signed by the belligerents in the War of Spanish Succession, in the Dutch city of Utrecht in March and April 1713...
in 1712. However, Venice's decline and the fact that its power was now largely restricted to within the Italian border meant that his part was a minor one.
At the conclusion of the last of the wars between Venice and Turkey (1714-1718), Ruzzini represented the Republic during the peace negotiations at Passarowitz
Treaty of Passarowitz
The Treaty of Passarowitz or Treaty of Požarevac was the peace treaty signed in Požarevac , a town in Ottoman Empire , on 21 July 1718 between the Ottoman Empire on one side and the Habsburg Monarchy of Austria and the Republic of Venice on the other.During the years 1714-1718, the Ottomans had...
in July. The inherent weakness in Venice's strategic position meant that little was gained and much lost in the negotiations.
After the Treaty of Passarowitz Ruzzini continued his diplomatic career with a second posting to Constantinople before ill health forced him home. However, his wide experience meant he continued to play an important part in the political life of the Republic.
He was a candidate for Doge in 1722 but was beaten by Alvise III Sebastiano Mocenigo
Sebastiano Mocenigo
Alvise III Sebastiano Mocenigo was doge of Venice from 1722 to 1732.-Notes and references:...
. Ten years later, on Mocenigo's death, Ruzzini was easily elected with 40 votes out of 41.
During his brief reign he achieved little of note but kept Venice neutral and out of further conflicts.