Lamba Doria

Lamba Doria (1245–1323) was one of Genoa's greatest admirals, brother of Oberto Doria. He first won fame escorting convoys to Constantinople with five galleys and defended trade routes around Corsica and Sardinia. He repeatedly beat the Pisans, notably at the Battle of Meloria in August 1284.

His greatest triumph came in 1298 at the Battle of Curzola, where he destroyed the Venetian fleet, capturing admiral Andrea Dandolo, who killed himself in despair, and, by tradition, Marco Polo. Genoa gave him a palace and lands, proclaimed him capitano del popolo, and Emperor Henry VII later named him imperial admiral.