The Senate: originally, the doge would summon a given number of councellors called Pregadi at his side when he needed their counsel. From 1229, it is the Great Council that appoints them for a year, renewable, choosing among those patricians who were at least 40 years old. After a few decades, more members will officially become part of the Senate: first the Zonta, another ensemble of 60 people who, at the beginning, were only summoned under specific circumstances, before becoming a regular addition, then more people representing different bodies of the governement, like the Quarantina, at which point the Senate reaches 300 seats. While this may seem like too large an assembly for efficient debate, it was in fact a great advantage that so many from different horizons would be allowed to take part, as they would help make light on issues they knew well; all those additional members are seen as in a somewhat lower position than the pregadi. The Senate not only takes all decisions regarding taxes and the use of public money, but it is also the body in charge of foreign politics, the army and the fleet as well as public administration. Therefore, it received from the Great Coucil the power to appoint both generals and ambassadors, the latter sending to the Senate their weekly report. In order to efficiently manage so many tasks, the Senate had to gather daily. One of the questions one may ask is how secrecy was so well kept with such a large number of people taking part to the discussions. Certainly one of the most important factors was that the citizens of Venice, and even more so the members of the government, were closely watched; moreover, the latter weren't allowed to meet with the representants of foreign states except under strictly defined circumstances, and had to report any discussion with an ambassador. Amazingly enough, such close monitoring was generally well accepted.

The issues presented before the Senate is first prepared by a College made of the ten members of the Signoria and the 16 so-called sappientes, sages, functionning, especially the six "great sages", as ministers of the Republic. So great is the honor to become a great sage that anyone was eager to be appointed as one, even if that meant that, while they were in office, they could not take care of any personnal affair. The Signoria is a body bringing together the doge, his six Coucellors and the three leaders of the Quarantia. The six Coucellors are appointed by the Great Coucil, based on a list made by the Senate, to keep a close eye on the doge.

The Doge: the head of state, the symbol of Venice's glory and power, and his rank places him behind the pope, the emperors and kings, but before the princes of all reigning dynasties. However, he wields little power, and his voice carries no more weight than any other in the Senate. He can be judged, and even deposed by the Senate. Moreover, he's ceaselessly under the watch of his councellors.

The Council of ten: we've already seen under which extraordinary circumstances that Council was created. This Council is really set apart, having power over most bodies of the governement and even counterbalancing the power of the Great Council, and is in charge, as was defined in a law of 1468, of all affairs requiring secrecy, which is a rather vague definition, leaving the Council able to develop its power to a great extent. All actions of the ten are dictated by the reason of state. Anything that could put the Republic in any danger had to be reported to them, whether by the leaders of the neighborhoods, spies or anonymous denounciation, and they were granted all the resources needed to investigate those claims in secrecy. The three leaders of the Council, who summon the Council, present it with the list of the prisoners awaiting trial and those trials still open every month, are not allowed to appear in public. As a result, the Coucil is feared by all, often accused of spreading mistrust in Venice. The Great Council tried several times to close the Council of ten, but never succeeded. However, one must observe that denounciations were closely examined, especially those anonymous, trials were rather fair, as all that were tried had the right to be represented by a sollicitor and could call witnesses, and, while the Council could sentence anyone to death, it was a rare occurence (never more than ten within a year).

Social classes in Venice: under the aristocracy are other classes which were allowed to play a lesser role in the affairs of the state. The one just below is made of the cittadini, divided into the "natives", who can prove that their family had been citizens since at least two generations, and those who cannot, and therefore, had lesser rights (there are in fact a few other conditions, but they are far less obvious and didn't play a big role). Positions at the chancellery are reserved to the natives; one of them is even appointed to the prestigious rank of Great Chancellor, who can attend to the Councils and has basically the same function for the citizens than the doge for the nobility. Citizenship gives numerous other privileges, which is the reason why it is highly sought after, even by powerful lords from all over Italy. It is easily granted to those foreigners who have been living in Venice for 15 or 25 years. Under the citizens come the people, who cannot be appointed at any public function, but who are granted enough privileges, through the scholae, or craft guilds, to be willing to defend the Republic and its political system. Since the 14th century, it is said that there was no poor in Venice, as anyone could find a work and earn enough to live honorably. Under such conditions, everyone was willing to give their support to a regim that guaranteed their security and dignity.