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| Septemtrian 300 Ducat coin, 5.4 cm (about 2.1 in.) |
Renaissance Venice being a republic ruled by the wealthy, the rules for voting were simple: whoever amassed the most ducats won the office - for is not the accumulation of wealth, by any means whatsoever, the surest sign of
both ability and divine favor?
All who signed the event book got a stack of ducats to do with as they pleased:
* Wager on battles, arts contests, etc,
* Pay fighters to switch sides mid-battle,
* Purchase promise of public office,
* Anything really.
The sun shone as if approving on a glorious day of combat, contest, politicking and haggling. Factions quarreled, negotiated, and merged behind a few candidates. Glorious!
At Court that evening, the Baron called for The Accounting. The leading candidate produced a suspiciously large pile (but there was no rule against amassing wealth by suspicious means.) The Baron stood to proclaim the new Doge.
A voice rang out, "Wait!"
The last remaining opposition candidate strode forward and spilled an even larger pile of ducats on the floor!
"Count them both!" ordered the Baron. A helpful bystander lept to help each candidate count.
Much to his surprise, the challenger was found to have far fewer ducats than he had calculated. The other candidate was awarded the robe of the Doge and a mighty feast was held!
Afterward, it was observed that the volunteer counting the challenger's pile was a close friend of the winner. Did this not demonstrate the wisdom of the new Doge?
