Dolfin Dolfin, was born into the powerful
Dolfin family of Venice, one of the oldest and most recognized noble families of the Serenissima. From a young age, he followed the "
cursus honorum" of young Venetian noblemen, training in the army, the naval fleet, the law, and affairs of State. When the time came, Dolfin began to serve the
Venetian navy, which had the most powerful fleet of its day. His family had a long tradition in the Navy, reaching special notoriety when
Giovanni Dolfin broke the Hungarian siege of
Treviso in order to be crowned as
Doge in 1356. In the 15th century, Venice controlled most of the Mediterranean, and had important interests in the rump
Byzantine Empire. Therefore, when the Ottomans began their siege of the Byzantine capital,
Constantinople, the Venetian fleet was immediately involved in its defence. During the siege, Dolfin was commanded to defend the north gate of the
city walls, which he managed with great success. When
Giacomo Coco, admiral of the Christian fleet died while trying to burn the Turkish fleet, Dolfin was put in charge of it. Dolfin Dolfin survived the fall of the city. ==External links==