The () was the senior wartime commander of the ships of the line of the navy of the Republic of Venice.
The Venetian navy had traditionally been a galley-based force. The first organized tactical formations of sailing shipsâÂÂoriginally merchant vessels chartered for naval serviceâÂÂbegan being formed in the late 15th century. The position of was established as the commander of the sailing squadron in the battle fleet, under the overall authority of the Captain General of the Sea. During the 17th century sailing ships of the line began to play a more important role and comprised a larger and larger portion of the Venetian battle fleet, particularly during the War of Candia, leading to the creation of divisions of the sailing battle fleet (the ), and the posts of and established in 1657 to command these.
In the Morean War (1684âÂÂ1699) and the Seventh OttomanâÂÂVenetian War (1714âÂÂ1718) the already played the main role in combat, and with as many as 36 ships, the senior position of was created. He served as commander-in-chief of the sailing fleet and commanded the first division of 9 ships, while the commanded the second, etc.
The post of was a wartime appointment only. As distinctive signs, his flagship carried a single lantern aft, the standard of Saint Mark on the starboard side aft, and on the mainmast a square ensign of Saint Mark. In peacetime, these were the insignia of the flagship of the . Following the Peace of Passarowitz in 1718, the Venetian navy was reduced in size and limited to its peacetime duties; the only time a was appointed again was in 1784, when Angelo Emo was sent to lead a naval expedition against the Beylik of Tunis.