The Zeno family, also known as Zen, was a

patrician Patrician may refer to: * Patrician (ancient Rome), the original aristocratic families of ancient Rome, and a synonym for "aristocratic" in modern English usage * Patrician (post-Roman Europe), the governing elites of cities in parts of medieval ...

family that belonged to the small circle of Venetian noble families, whose members played important role in the history of the

Republic of Venice The Republic of Venice ( vec, Repùblega de Venèsia) or Venetian Republic ( vec, Repùblega Vèneta, links=no), traditionally known as La Serenissima ( en, Most Serene Republic of Venice, italics=yes; vec, Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia, ...

Notable members

* Apostolo Zeno (1669–1750) Venetian poet, librettist, and journalist. *

Carlo Zeno Carlo Zeno (or Zen) (1333 – 8 March 1418) was an Italian admiral from Venice, who is considered a hero of the War of Chioggia against the Republic of Genoa. Early life Destined for an ecclesiastical career, Zeno studied at Padua, but dedicat ...

(1333–1418) Venetian Admiral during

War of Chioggia The War of Chioggia ( it, Guerra di Chioggia) was a conflict between Genoa and Venice which lasted from 1378 to 1381, from which Venice emerged triumphant. It was a part of the Venetian-Genoese Wars. The war had mixed results. Venice and her alli ...

, but also mercenary * Giovanni Battista Zeno (died 1501),

Roman Catholic Cardinal A cardinal ( la, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae cardinalis, literally 'cardinal of the Holy Roman Church') is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. Cardinals are created by the ruling pope and typically hold the title for life. Col ...

since 1468, nephew of

Pope Paul II Pope Paul II ( la, Paulus II; it, Paolo II; 23 February 1417 – 26 July 1471), born Pietro Barbo, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 30 August 1464 to his death in July 1471. When his maternal uncle Eugene IV ...

* Nicolò Zen the younger (1515–1565) Venetian Senator and hydraulic engineer * Pietro Zeno, Lord of Andros and Syros *

Reniero Zeno Coat of arms of Reniero Zeno Silver Grosso of Doge Raniero Zeno, 1253–1268, Venice. Reniero Zeno ( vec, Renieri Zen) (died 7 July 1268) was the 45th Doge of Venice, reigning from 1 January 1253 until his death in 1268. Life The first refer ...

(died 1268) 45th Doge of Venice *

Zeno brothers The Zeno brothers, Nicolò (c. 1326 – c. 1402) and Antonio (died c. 1403), were Italian noblemen from the Republic of Venice who lived during the 14th century. They came to prominence in 1558, when their descendant, Nicolò Zeno the Younger ...

: Nicolò (c. 1326–c. 1402) and Antonio (died c. 1403), marine merchants and putative explorers The family was also the owner of Villa Zeno. Italian noble families {{Italy-hist-stub