A conspiracy in Venice in 1310 (Le Journal illustré, no. 12, May 1, 1864) - Linton after Barrias

The conspiracy of 1310, fomented by Doge Gradenigo, put an end to popular power in Venice: until then, plebeians had participated in the election of the Council of 400, which governed with the Doge. Gradenigo decreed that doges would henceforth be elected for life and, the following year, that councilors could only be chosen from councilor families.

The people sought to regain their rights, there were several conspiracies, including one led by Bohemond Tiepolo and Marino Bocconio to assassinate Gradenigo and hold new elections. The conspiracy was denounced by the beautiful Rialta, Tiepolo's jealous mistress. Rialta, shown here in the right foreground caressing Tiepolo and intoxicating him with wine, had secretly introduced two members of the council, who, hidden in the right background, attended the conspirators' banquet and heard them swear to the doge's death. The spies warned the doge, and the following day, June 13, 1310, the conspirators and the doge's aristocratic supporters fought a bloody battle in Piazza San Marco. Rialta was assassinated two days later.

As a result of this conspiracy, the doge's supporters created the Council of Ten, a secret council tasked with investigating and punishing crimes of treason.