The Doges Mystery

There are a number of mysteries surrounding DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). There is an actual, but obscure, leader (Amy Gleason) of the fictive DOGE Department. There is the fictive leader (Actually, special government employee), Elon Musk, of the shadowy DOGE "anti-tyrannists."

There were of course numerous possible titles for this proposed new government unit. So, why DOGE? Well, it turns out, there was yet another DOGE. This DOGE, which roughly translates "Duke," is of ancient origin and located in Venice Italy. It was the most powerful state official and the leader of the oligarchs in Venice for at least 1,000 years. Doges were elected by the wealthy ruling families and held their positions for life. Later, leaders in a variety of locations adopted for themselves the title Doge, including Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

There also is a Doge Palace in Venice, originally constructed in 810, which once was the seat of power in Venice and now serves as a museum. The Doge Palace was particularly noted for two infamous prisons within its walls,"Piombi" and "Pozzi." Located at the ground and subterranean levels within the palace, they were only marginally habitable and employed brutal torture methods on prisoners.

This profile of DOGE raises the question of the extent to which the ancient DOGE inspired or served as a model for the current DOGE and its titular head.