Giovanni I Participazio

Who was Giovanni I Participazio?

Giovanni I Participazio was the tenth or twelfth Doge of Venice from the death of his brother in 829 to his arrest and deposition in 836.

His father, Agnello, had appointed him co-doge while his brother Giustiniano was away in Constantinople. When Giustiniano returned, Agnello was deposed and Giovanni, who was part of the pro-Frankish faction, exiled to Zara. Giovanni was recalled by his brother from Constantinople in 829 and appointed to succeed him. He was duly elected by the assembly and continued the work of Giustiniano in construction a new basilica for the body of Saint Mark. The rest of his reign was occupied by quarrels and problems, internal and external.

The first problem was the return of Obelerio degli Antenori, Doge of Venice from 804 to 811, from Constantinople after twenty years of exile. He disembarked at Vigilia, near Malamocco, with a band of followers and laid claim to the dogeship. Malamocco and Vigilia declared for him and both were burned by Giovanni. Obelerio was killed and his head displayed to the people.