In the 16th century a new one of these was elected by Venetians who were picked by lottery
In the aftermath, the 
Venetian constitution was reformed over a period of a century to... [DOC] [TLE] Merchant of Venice: Entire Play [PAR] I must be one of these same dumb wise men, For Gratiano ... You would be, 
sweet madam, if your miseries were in ... death have good inspirations: therefore 
the lottery, ... Venetian, a scholar and a soldier, that came hither ..... Jew to sup to-
night with my new master the Christian.