Marco Sanudo (1153 (?)

– between 1220 and 1230, most probably 1227) is the creator and first Duke of the Duchy of the Archipelago, after the Fourth Crusade.

Maternal nephew of Venetian doge Enrico Dandolo, he is a participant in the Fourth Crusade (1204).

He i part of the negotiations when the Republic of Venice buys the island of Crete from Boniface of Montferrat.

Between 1205 and 1207, he gathers a fleet and captures the island of Naxos, laying the foundations of the Duchy of the Archipelago.

He builds a new capital city on the island, Kastro (now the main port).

During his reign, he blends the Byzantine and occidental governmental styles.

Around 1210, he becomes a vassal of the Latin Emperor Henry of Flanders, for whom he fights against the Empire of Nicaea.

For Venice, he takes part to the Cretan expedition of 1211.