Teodato Ipato

Diodato Ipato, also called Teodato Ipato, was the fourth Doge of Venice. He reigned from 742 to 755

Venice was after the death of the third Doge Orso Ipato for five years under Byzantine administration. Masters of the Soldiers, each with a one-year term of office were Leone Domenico, Domenico Felice Corniola, Orso Diodato and Gioviano. The last of the magister, Giovanni Fabriaco, was evicted during the absence of competent Byzantine exarch and moved the seat of government of Venice Eraclea to Malamocco. Was elected Doge Diodato, former Master of the Soldiers and son of the murdered Orso Ipato. Byzantium recognized the new Doge and gave him as well as his father the title Ipato.

Diodato was the one the Venetians, who had helped him to his office, committed, had the other as dependent Byzantine governor to protect the interests of the Eastern Roman Emperor, what a remarkable diplomatic skills required. In order to secure his power and Venetian territory against Lombard attacks, he left the fort Bronodolo build, which was useful for the control of vessel traffic between Ravenna and the lagoon at the same time.

However, he did not come to the aid of Ravenna, when it was besieged by the Lombards under Aistulf, but renewed with the enemies of Byzantium, the ancient links forged between the Doge Paoluccio and Liutprand peace treaty. However, after the Frankish King Pepin had won the Short Ravenna and had forced Aistulf for the recognition of Frankish suzerainty, and the Exarchate of Ravenna had gone over to the Pope (see Pippinsche donation), the Venetians saw suddenly in an isolated and extremely vulnerable situation and revolted against the Doge. The Byzantine partisans Galla Lupanio sat at the head of the revolt. The doge was deposed, blinded and driven away, his date of death is unknown.