Falier

The Falier were one of the oldest patrician houses of Venice, counted by the fourteenth century among the twelve apostolic noble families. Tradition traced them to tribunician families that moved from Eraclea to the Rialto in the early ninth century; Orso Faletro is recorded as a witness in 912.

The house gave Venice three doges: Vitale Faliero from 1084 to 1096, Ordelafo Faliero from 1102 to 1117, and Marino Faliero, elected on 11 September 1354 at about eighty years old.

Within seven months Marino led a plot to overthrow the republic and make himself prince; the conspiracy was betrayed, and he was beheaded on 17 April 1355. His place among the doges' portraits in the Great Council hall was marked by a black shroud. Branches of the family settled in Venetian Crete under the Greek surname Phalieros.