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According to AI:

In Italy, the word "doge" (pronounced /ˈdɔːdʒe/ in Italian) refers to the elected head of state in several Italian city-states during the medieval and Renaissance periods, notably in Venice and Genoa. The Doge was a symbol of sovereignty and independence, often elected by the city-state's aristocracy. The title "Doge" comes from the Latin word "dux," meaning "military leader". In Venetian Italian, it translates to "duke".