The title "doge" was the title of the senior-most elected official of Venice and Genoa; both cities were republics and elected doges. A doge was referred to variously by the titles "My Lord the Doge" (Monsignor el Doxe), "Most Serene Prince" (Serenissimo Principe), and "His Serenity" (Sua Serenità).
While the position was entrusted to members of the inner circle of powerful Venetian families.
One of the ceremonial duties of the doge was to celebrate the symbolic marriage of Venice with the sea.