Giovanni I was the first ruler of Bologna

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...

 from the Bentivoglio

Bentivoglio

Bentivoglio was an Italian family of princely rank, long supreme in Bologna and responsible for giving the city its political autonomy during the Renaissance.-History:...

 family, who rose to power among the faction-conflicts within the commune of Bologna. He ruled in 1401–02.

On March 14, 1401, he declared himself the ruler as signore and Gonfaloniere di Giustizia and secured his reign with the aid of the Visconti

House of Visconti

Visconti is the family name of two important Italian noble dynasties of the Middle Ages. There are two distinct Visconti families: The first one in the Republic of Pisa in the mid twelfth century who achieved prominence first in Pisa, then in Sardinia where they became rulers of Gallura...

 family. However, his reign did not last long and after the Visconti turned against him. He was killed in 1402 in the Battle of Casalecchio

Battle of Casalecchio

The Battle of Casalecchio took place on 26 June 1402 near the town of Casalecchio di Reno, near Bologna. At this battle, a Bolognese army under Giovanni I Bentivoglio opposed Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, and his allies, the Malatesta of Rimini and the Gonzaga of Mantua...

. He was later buried in the church of San Giacomo Maggiore. He was briefly succeeded by his son, Antongaleazzo, who was soon deposed. The next person to fully restore the power of the house was his grandson, Annibale I

Annibale I Bentivoglio

Annibale I Bentivoglio was the ruler of Bologna from 1443 until his death. He was a member of the Bentivoglio family.The son of Antongaleazzo Bentivoglio, he was exiled from his city due to his father's anti-Papal stance. In 1438 he returned in Bologna, contributing to its liberation from the...

.