Doria (or D'Oria) family
Leading Genoese noble family of Ghibelline sympathies. The power of the Doria was based on extensive landholdings, particularly in Sardinia, on banking, and on naval and military prowess. From at least 1125, when Martino Doria founded the family church of S. Matteo, until the 14th century, the Doria shared power uneasily with the other great Genoese feudal families. After 1339 the family lost its political predominance, being rigorously excluded from all positions of authority in Genoa. The Doria tried several times to raise the contado in rebellion against the city; but were conspicuously unsuccessful. They did, however, continue to play a prominent part in the naval and mílitary history of Genoa, and produced in Pagano Doria the most famous of Genoa's 14th century admirals. Under Andrea Doria's leadership the family emerged once more in the early 16th century to play the fullest possible role in Genoa's civic and political life.
