Emilio Barbarigo

Emilio Barbarigo (1421 - September 11, 1485) was a corrupt noble, a Venetian merchant and tyrant of Venice, and secretly a member of the Knights Templar. Nevertheless, he was an extremely wealthy merchant, whose sole desire was to take control of Venice. He lobbied the government and used his power over the market to discourage any possible competition in Venetian merchants. He was related to Marco Barbarigo, Silvio Barbarigo and Agostino Barbarigo. It is unknown how they were related but he was probably a cousin or a brother, considering they were around the same age group.

Merchant of Venice
"He is attempting to unify the merchants beneath a single banner. There's been resistance, some of it violent."

- Alvise da Vilandino speaking about Emilio's attempts to unify the merchants.

In Venice, Emilio had taken control of the city's merchant district and was ruling it with an iron fist. Emilio provided weapons to the other Templars in Florence and he apparently single-handedly funded the city guard. He lived in a large palazzo or palace, the Palazzo della Seta, surrounded by his well-paid guards. He commissioned the city guard to the markets, his palazzo, and other places of which he retained control.

Emilio attended a meeting in 1480 within an outdoor Roman theater in Tuscany. The gathering included various other Templars and conspirators, including Jacopo de' Pazzi and the Templar Grand Master, Rodrigo Borgia. During this meeting, he stabbed Jacopo for his failures in their cause. Rodrigo followed his example, almost killing him.

Death
"Your little house of cards is crumbling, Emilio."

- Carlo Grimaldi to Emilio, moments before the latter's death.

In 1485 in his palazzo, Emilio met with Carlo Grimaldi, a member of the Council of Ten, who informed him that the Assassin, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, had arrived in Venice. Though apparently endowed with great control over the markets and the city guards, he was not aware of this and appeared rather panicked once told. Carlo informed Emilio that Rodrigo Borgia planned a meeting in three days. Emilio was assassinated by Ezio shortly after Carlo left.

Final Words
Ezio: "Do not be afraid."

Emilio: "I feel no fear, Assassin. Only regret. I sought unity. Stability. Order."

Ezio: "At too great a cost."

Emilio: "Progress demands sacrifice."

Ezio: "Non trovo alcuna gioia in questo, ma non c'è altro modo. (I take no joy in this, but I see no other way.) Requiescat in pace. (Rest in peace.)"

Trivia

 * Emilio Barbarigo's Portrait in the Auditore Villa says that he died in 1484, when in fact he died in 1485.
 * Emilio did in fact die on September 11, 1485, because Carlo informed him that there was a meeting in three days, which was the day Carlo Grimaldi and Doge Mocenigo died, which was September 14th of that year.